Eid Ul Adha

The feast of Eid ul Adha is not only the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage, but is the major festival in the Islamic year and takes place in the Hajj month, two months after the close of Ramadan. It commemorates the triumph of Ibrahim's faith over the temptations of the devil, and his complete submission to the will of God.

For those taking part, it symbolizes the submission of each individual Muslim, and renewal of total commitment to God.

Every Muslim takes part in this feast, not just those on Hajj. It is a family occasion, bearing in mind the whole family of Islam and not just your own relations.

It is a serious occasion, and concentrates the mind on self-sacrifice, symbolized by the sacrificing of an animal.

In Muslim countries schools, businesses and shops are closed for three days. Town streets are deserted and family homes packed with visitors.

Everyone thinks about the pilgrims making their Hajj and joins with them in spirit, particularly any who have gone from their own family or community. In Muslim countries Hajj events are now followed on television.

On the day commemorating the story of Ibrahim's testing, there is a sense of emotional release, and real sharing in the experiences of the 94 pilgrims, many Muslims remember their own journey, and others wishing they could have gone too.

The feast represents Muslims' readiness to sacrifice all feelings, personal wants and needs, even life itself if necessary, to the service of God.

“Neither the flesh of the animals of your sacrifice nor their blood reaches Allah- it is your righteousness that reaches Him.” (surah 22:37)

Preparations

These begin well in advance. Gifts are bought, new clothing is prepared, food supplies are organized for the big day and an animal must be selected for the sacrifice and kept apart. These include sheep, goats, cows and camels, and they are usually purchased two or three weeks before the feast day.
The sacrifice

When possible, the animals are cared for at home. Muslims are not hard-hearted, and they often become fond of these animals, especially the children.

Facing the responsibility of slaughter for yourself, instead of leaving it to a butcher, makes you realize in a small way how hard it must have been for Ibrahim to pass his test when he thought he was going to have to sacrifice his own son. A mixture of tenderness, love, grief and above all duty is what the sacrifice is all about.

It is the duty of a Muslim man to know how to kill an animal quickly and kindly, and take this responsibility for himself.
Nowadays many families have their feast animals slaughtered at an abattoir, by a specially trained person. This is compulsory in Britain.

The atmosphere should be such that the animal is not frightened, and its throat must be cut with a very sharp knife across the jugular vein, so that it loses consciousness immediately. Prayers are said throughout the proceedings. Killing the animal in this way causes very little distress or pain, and the blood drains away easily.

In the West, a special license is needed to kill an animal, and license holders go to the slaughterhouse to sacrifice there on behalf of the community. There have been isolated incidents of Muslims killing goats at home (to the horror of their non-Muslim neighbours), but these are usually caused by newcomers unaware of the facilities provided.

Meat killed in the correct way is called halal, or permitted. Other meat is haram or forbidden. (See also p. 116.)

The meat is divided up for the poor, for friends and relatives, and for the family use. In the East, Eid ul Adha is sometimes the only time in the year that the poor get meat to eat. Instead of meat, money can be donated to the poor.