Eid Al Adha And 5 Things To Know (2022)

With only a few days remaining, ‘Eid Al Adha’ is the ‘Eid of Sacrifice’ that comes with many virtues and rewards. While the animals like goats, Ram, Sheep, Cows, Buffalo, and Camel are sold and bought in many parts of the world, the ‘Eid Al Adha’   comes with a unique message to the Ummah. Here are the 5 essential things to know about ‘Eid Al Adha’  

1. IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT EID AL ADHA:

• ‘Eid Al Adha’  is celebrated in remembrance of the sacrifice of ‘Hazrat Ismail (A.S.)’ by his father ‘Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.)’ on the commandment of ALLAH (S.W.T.). It was a typical test by ALLAH (S.W.T.), as ALLAH (S.W.T.) always tests the believers, and for the Prophets, the tests are more difficult as compared to the rest of Ummah. On the commandment of ALLAH (S.W.T.) in the dream to Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.), ALLAH (S.W.T.) asked his true slave to sacrifice his only son in the path of ALLAH (S.W.T.). For every father, it’s really very difficult to slit the throat of any of his progeny, and it was a huge test. Instead of questioning ALLAH (S.W.T.),
• Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.) took his son for the sacrifice. When Ibrahim (A.S.) was just on the verge to slit the throat of Ismail (A.S.), ALLAH (S.W.T.) commanded Jibrail (A.S.) to exchange Ismail with the Ram from paradise, and instead of Ismail, it was the ram who got sacrificed.

And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah], and it was accepted by one of them but was not accepted by the other. Said [the latter], “I will surely kill you.” Said [the former], “Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him]. [Al Qur’an (ch5, v27)]

• ‘Eid Al Adha’  marks the end of the Hajj (the Annual Pilgrimage made by Muslims to Mecca and Medina). The Hajj (one of the important Five Pillars of Islam) begins at ‘Dhul Hijja’, the final Lunar month of the Islamic calendar, and after the completion of the Hajj, ‘Eid Al Adha’   is celebrated.
• The sacrifice of the animal must be performed within three days i.e. from the 10^th of Dhul Hijja to the 13^th of Dhul Hijja.
• The ‘Eid Al Adha’  is not only a ritual but comes with a message to mankind to sacrifice their most loved possessions in the path of ALLAH (S.W.T.) when needed. The meat extracted from the sacrificed animal is shared among the poor, the friends, neighbors, and relatives, and in the household as well. The meat is distributed according to the 1/3 (one-third) rule.

That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor. [Al Qur’an (ch22, v28)]

2. When is Eid Al Adha 2022?

The ‘Eid Al Adha’   is celebrated on the 10^th of ‘Dhul Hijja’, which according to the modern calendar will fall on the 9^th of July 2022. Although, the sighting of the moon also plays a crucial role in this.

3. How to Perform Eid Al-Adha Prayers?

‘Eid Al Adha’   prayer is a two Rak’at prayer and an obligatory prayer too. There is no Azan (special call to Prayer) for ‘Eid Al Adha’.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, “Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, he just slaughtered it for himself, and whoever slaughtered it after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims.” [(Sahih Al Bukhari, 68/454)]

It is important to first pray Fajr on time before the ‘Eid Al Adha’   prayer. The Eid Al Adha Sal’at consists of two Rak’ats with 6 additional Takbeers. The following points will illustrate the complete method to perform Salat ‘Eid Al Adha’.

1. First Rak’at:

Before entering into the first Rak’at, the intention (Niyat) to perform Salat ‘Eid Al Adha’   is important. The Niyat for the ‘Eid Al Adha’   prayer is performed by saying, “I intend to perform Sal’at ‘Eid Al Adha’   with 6 additional Takbeers while facing the Qibla behind this Imam”. Then “ALLAH HU AKBAR” is recited by raising both hands up to the Ear Lobes by the Imam and the individual performing the Sal’at must also proceed with the same. This makes it the first Takbeer.

In the first Takbeer, the person performing Sal’at must recite “Sana”. After completing “Sana”, the Imam will again say “ALLAH HU AKBAR” raising his hands up to the ear lobes and then will take the hands completely down instead of joining them together and the individual has to proceed with Imam by following him. Then, Imam will again say “ALLAH HU AKBAR”, and the person has to again follow the Imam by saying “ALLAH HU AKBAR” and then the person will again allow his hands to fall down. At the third time, when Imam again says “ALLAH HU AKBAR”, the person has to follow the same, but this time the person will join both his hands together, and Imam will recite Surah Fatiha along with other Surah from the Qur’an.

After this, Imam will again say “ALLAH HU AKBAR” and the individual offering prayer has to go into Ru’ku this time. Then the required Sajda’s similar to the other prayers will be performed. This completes the first Rak’at along with three additional Takbeers.

2. Second Rak’at:

After completing the required Sajda’s of the first Rak’at, the Imam will get up for the Second Rak’at chanting “ALLAH HU AKBAR” and the individual also has to do the same. In the second Rak’at, the Imam will recite Surah Fatiha again along with some short Surah from the Qur’an.

After completing it, the Imam will recite “ALLAH HU AKBAR” taking both his hands to the ear lobes and letting both his hands fall down freely, and the individual also has to do the same.

Then again, Imam will say “ALLAH HU AKBAR” raising both his hands to the ear lobe and again allowing his hands to fall down freely. The individual again has to perform the same act.

At the third time, the Imam will again raise the hands to the ear lobes while saying “ALLAH HU AKBAR” with the hands falling down freely, and then afterward Imam will directly go into Ru’ku saying “ALLAH HU AKBAR”.

Then all the required Sajda’s will be performed like daily prayers and then the person will end the prayer with two Salam’s. After the prayer of ‘Eid Al Adha’   is completed, Imam will recite a Khutba, and listening to the Khutba is Wajib (Obligatory). After the completion of the Khutba, the people will leave for their homes from Eid Gah.

4. History of Eid Al Adha:

Eid Al Adha is celebrated to remember the sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail (A.S.) by Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.). Thus, this real even happened some 4000 years back when ALLAH (S.W.T.) willed to test Ibrahim’s faith. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.) was informed by ALLAH (S.W.T.) in a dream and he took his only son Ismail (A.S.) for the place of sacrifice.

For a father, it is difficult to sacrifice his most beloved son. However, Ibrahim (A.S.) listened to ALLAH (S.W.T.). Shaytan also tried to persuade Ismail’s mother Hajra (A.S.) to stop Ibrahim (A.S.) from slaughtering Ismail (A.S.) in the path of ALLAH.

According to authentic narrations, Shaytan came separately to Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.), Hazrat Ismail (A.S.), and Hazrat Hajra (A.S.). Being the true slaves of ALLAH (S.W.T.), all of them stoned Shaytan and replied to him that if it is the commandment from ALLAH (S.W.T.), they are ready to accept it. Both the father (Ibrahim (A.S.)) and the son (Ismail (A.S.)) had a strong Iman (faith) upon ALLAH (S.W.T.).

While the father was ready to sacrifice Ismail (A.S.), Hazrat Ismail (A.S.) was also ready to serve himself in front of ALLAH (S.W.T.).

And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.”[Al Qur’an (ch37, v102)]

Ibrahim (A.S.) tied both the hands of Ismail (A.S.) tightly and closed his eyes with a cloth, and when Ibrahim (A.S.) was just on the verge to slit the throat of Ismail (A.S.), ALLAH (S.W.T.) commanded Jibra’il (A.S.) to exchange Ismail (A.S.) with a ram from the Jannah (Paradise). Thus, Ibrahim (A.S.) passed the extremely difficult test from ALLAH (S.W.T.).

And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah], and it was accepted by one of them but was not accepted by the other. Said [the latter], “I will surely kill you.” Said [the former], “Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].[Al Qur’an (ch5, v27)]

To keep this real event alive in the memories of each and every follower of ALLAH (S.W.T.) and to give the message of the sacrifice of the worldly desires in the path of ALLAH (S.W.T.), this event is celebrated across the Globe by the Muslim Ummah.

5. Qurbani/Sacrifice rules:

Since Qurbani/sacrifice is the most beloved act by ALLAH (S.W.T.), and when the event is ‘Eid Al Adha’ , the reward gets multiplied. Thus, the proper Qurbani/Sacrifice rules must be followed without any mistakes to get all the rewards.

Here are the rules that must be followed before, in between, and after the sacrifice of the animal:

1. Acts to do before Qurbani:

• The animal bought for the Qurbani must be healthy and must be of a suitable age.
• The age of Sheep/goats must be up to one year, while that of Cow/Buffalo must be up to two years. The people looking to buy camels must ensure that the age of the Camel must not be below 5 years.
• The Animal bought for sacrifice must be free from every kind of sickness and injury and must be given good and nutritious food till the day of sacrifice.
• The individual performing Qurbani must perform two Rak’at Eid Prayers before slaughtering an animal.
• According to the majority of scholars, after citing the moon of Dhul Hijja, it is not permissible for a person having his/her share in the sacrifice to cut beard, hair, and nails.

2. Acts to do while slaughtering an animal:

• The Knife to be used for slaughtering must be very sharp such that a negligible amount of pain is felt by the animal. The dull knives must not be used, as these knives increase the pain and suffering of the animal.
• While slaughtering the animal, it must be ensured that the animal must be facing Qibla.
• Neither the knives must be sharpened in front of the animals nor must the animals be slaughtered in front of each other.
• While slaughtering the animal, the person slitting the throat must recite Bismillah’Ir’Rahman’Ir’Rahim “ALLAH HU AKBAR”. The neck should not be totally separated, nor should the animal be skinned until the animal gets cold, and becomes devoid of any further movement.

3. Acts to do after slaughtering an animal:

• The meat of the slaughtered animal must be shared equally (1/3) among all the relatives, friends, and Misqin (Poor). According to the Sahih Hadith, the meat extracted from the sacrificed animal must be shared among the poor, the friends, neighbors, and relatives, and in the household according to the 1/3 (one-third) rule.
• The skin of the sacrificed animal can be donated to a nearby Mosque or the head of the Madrasah such that its proper utilization of it could be achieved.

Hajj and Eid al-Adha 

Eid al-Adha coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which entails a sacred journey to the holy city of Mecca (Makkah). All physically and financially capable Muslims are obligated to undertake this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. During this time, as people celebrate Eid al-Adha by offering animal sacrifices, the pilgrims participating in Hajj also commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim.

Throughout the Hajj, millions of Muslims converge upon Mecca to engage in a series of rituals, including:

1. Circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca by walking around it seven times.
2. Camping in Mina and casting seven small stones at three stone pillars, symbolizing the devil.
3. Men shaving their heads and performing animal sacrifices, following the example of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH).

Wrapping up