Eid-al-adha also known as ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, is the second major festival time for the Muslim community across the globe. The major duty during this time is sacrificing an animal. While Eid-al-adha is celebrated with open heart, people gear themselves up to celebrate this with their family and loved ones. The Muslim families buy up an animal like a goat or a sheep or a camel, treat them with love and care, like a pet till the day of Eid i.e. before it is slaughtered. The meat is then divided in 3 equal portions; one to be consumed by the family itself, second one to be distributed among friends and family and the third part to be given to the needy people.
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Why is an innocent animal sacrificed on the eve of Eid?
Sacrifice has been mentioned in Islam as a way to be thankful to their God. The reason for this practice in this community lies in a story mentioned by many Muslim clerics. According to the story, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) desired to sacrifice his own son, Ishmael, to follow God’s command to do so. The ritual has started from then and the belief is to commemorate what Prophet Ibrahim did for the God. It was Abraham, as per Muslim faith, who met God in his dream who commanded him to to sacrifice his son for him. Even though he loved his son dearly and couldn’t think of harming him, he went ahead and followed his dream. However, just when he was about to go ahead with the sacrifice, God, in his greatness and benevolence, replaced Ishmael with a goat, which Abraham sacrificed.
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Eid-al-Adha is not of cruelty or blood thirst. It is one implying sharing, giving, sacrificing and caring. The essential nature of the slaughtering animals is that it brings the Muslim believers closer to Allah, and also brings them closer to their community. And as a direct result, this act brings the community closer together. During this time period and Ramadan, Muslim community takes care of underprivileged ones of their community.
We would like to wish all our Muslim friends Eid – mubarak. May Allah grant all your wishes and accept your sacrifice. May he fulfill all your desires in life. We wish happiness for you and your family today and always. Eid Mubarak!
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