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Eid al-Adha

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Eid al-Adha is one of the two major festivals in Islam.

The Badshahi in all its glory during the Eid Prayers
The Badshahi in all its glory during the Eid Prayers

It is often called the Greater Eid or the Large Eid. This holiday falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja. That is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the date changes on the solar Gregorian calendar. The lunar year is about eleven days shorter than the solar year. Celebrations typically continue for three additional days. These are known as the Tashreeq days.

জাতীয় ঈদগাহ ময়দান
জাতীয় ঈদগাহ ময়দান

The festival honors the devotion of the prophet Abraham. According to Islamic tradition, Abraham received a command from God. He was willing to sacrifice his beloved son to show his obedience. The narrative mentions either Ishmael or Isaac as the son. During this trial, a figure named Iblis, or Satan, tried to dissuade Abraham. Abraham drove Iblis away by throwing pebbles. This event is why Hajj pilgrims perform a ritual stoning of the Devil. Eventually, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Abraham. The angel provided a ram from heaven to be sacrificed instead of his son.

Many specific religious observances occur during this time. On the morning of Eid, Muslims perform a special Eid prayer. This prayer happens after sunrise but before the Zuhr prayer. People often dress in their finest clothing for this. They may gather in an open field called an Eidgah or a mosque.

The Badshahi in all its glory during the Eid Prayers
The Badshahi in all its glory during the Eid Prayers

The prayer is followed by a khutbah, which is a sermon. After the sermon, people embrace and exchange greetings. A common phrase used is "Eid Mubarak." Some people may delay the prayer if a force majeure occurs.

A central part of the holiday is the udhiyah. This is a ritual sacrifice of livestock. Muslims who can afford it sacrifice a camel, goat, sheep, or ram. These animals must meet specific age and quality standards. The term udhiyah comes from a root meaning to offer up or sacrifice. There is a debate among scholars about this practice. Some, like Al-Kasani, say it is obligatory or wāǧib. Others view it as an established custom known as sunna mu'akkada. Alternatives like fasting or charity are also suggested by some fuqaha.

The distribution of meat from the udhiyah follows a specific pattern. The meat is generally divided into three equal parts. One third is kept by the family performing the sacrifice. One third is shared among friends and relatives. The final third is given to the poor. The goal is to ensure every Muslim has the chance to eat meat.

Eid al-Adha cattle market in Bangladesh 44
Eid al-Adha cattle market in Bangladesh 44

This practice emphasizes the values of sharing and community.

Cultural traditions vary greatly across the Muslim world. In Bangladesh, the festival is called Korbanir Eid. It is estimated that about 13 million animals are sacrificed there annually. People may eat dishes like Kala bhuna, Chui Jhal, or Qorma. In Pakistan, women often apply henna. Children frequently receive Eidi, which consists of money or gifts from elders. In the Middle East, traditional sweets are common.

PikiWiki Israel 28887 Eid al-Adha Homemade Cookies
PikiWiki Israel 28887 Eid al-Adha Homemade Cookies

In many African nations, families host large feasts and exchange gifts.

Eid al-Adha connects to broader historical and religious themes. The story of Abraham is also known as the Akedah in Judaism. This account is found in the Torah within the book of Genesis. The Quran also references this story in its 37th surah, As-Saaffat. The holiday also intersects with the Hajj pilgrimage. During Hajj, pilgrims perform the tawaf and saee on Eid al-Adha. These rituals link the individual festival to the larger journey of faith.

Eid Blessings WDL6855
Eid Blessings WDL6855
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The Badshahi in all its glory during the...
File:Eid_Blessings_WDL6855.png
Eid_Blessings_WDL6855.png
File:PikiWiki Israel 28887 Eid al-Adha Homemade Cookies.jpg
PikiWiki Israel 28887 Eid al-Adha...
File:Eid al-Adha cattle market in Bangladesh 44.jpg
Eid al-Adha cattle market in Bangladesh 44.jpg
File:জাতীয়_ঈদগাহ_ময়দান.jpg
জাতীয়_ঈদগাহ_ময়দান.jpg
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