How Muslims Celebrate Eid-ul-Adha

The meaning of the word Eid is ‘Happiness‘Joy’ ‘festival’ and Adha means ‘Sacrifice’. So the word Eid ul Adha means the “Festival of Sacrifice”. Eid is a worldwide festival and celebration for muslims. In Islam, muslims celebrate two types of Eid named as Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha. Eid ul Fitr is celebrated after the month of Ramazan and Eid-ul-Adha also known as greater Eid, which marks the willingness of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice His son Hazrat Ismail (AS) in obedience to Almighty Allah. In one hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

There are no deeds as excellent as those done in these ten days.” They (the Companions) said, “Not even Jihad?” He said, “No not even Jihad except a man who goes forth endangering his life and wealth and does not return with anything”. (Bukhari)

Eid-ul-Adha is the one on which Muslims also celebrate but the celebrations are usually overshadowed by the events of sacrificing in the name of Allah. Following are the ways how Muslims celebrate Eid ul Adha:

  • Ghusl for Eid Prayer:

Muslims starts the day by doing Ghusl for the Eid prayer as it is sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and doing Ghusl (bath) for Salat al-Eid is another Sunnah that you should follow as a follower of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). 

  • Dressing up for Eid Prayer:

Eid is a day of happiness for muslims so on this day they must be dress up nicely. Muslims wear nice cloths as it is sunnah and a requirement for the day of Eid.

  • Use of Attar:

Muslims use attar specially for this day. attar is a special fragrance. Our prophet Muhammad (PBUH) applied Attar for Eid occasions.

  • Performing Eid Prayer:

Its not Eid without this Special Prayer in Islam. This special Eid prayer should not be skipped as it is mandatory thing to do on this day. Praying to Allah on the day of Eid means that a Muslim understands and realizes the fact that all the joy and pleasure in his life is a blessing of Allah and He needs to be thanked for it. Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah tells about the offering of Eid prayer with Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the following way: “I prayed with the Messenger of Allah the two Eid prayers more than once or twice, without an Adhan or Iqamah” (Muslim).

  • Performing the Ritual of Qurbani:

After performing Eid prayer muslims can perform the ritual of qurbani. Muslims slaughter animals by saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred. The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al Adha is mostly distributed among others. Meat is divided in to three equal parts

One third part of the meat is for the poor and needy, another one third is given to friends, relatives and last one third is for your personal consumption. The animal is supposed to be slaughtered according to Islamic law which insists that it must be done as humanely as possible. This includes laws such as giving the animal water and food to drink, sharpening the knife and not allowing the animal to see it, and not slaughtering the animal in front of other animals.

Conclusion:

Eid ul Adha symbolizes the sacrifices of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) as He was ready to sacrifice his son for the sake of Allah Almighty. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) choose Allah(S.W) above everything else. This is a lesson for all of us that we will be forced with choices but we must be willing to sacrifice for Allah(S.W). The word Islam means submission and a true Muslim is one who submits to Allah and puts Allah before his or her wants and desires. May Allah Almighty give us strength so we can make sacrifices just for Allah will. Ameen.