Eid Al Adha or Eid ul Zuha or Bakri Id is one of the most important
festivals in the Muslim calendar. Celebrated from the 10th to the 12th
day in the month of Dhul Hijjah, this festival is significant with the
sacrifice of the goat or bakr in Urdu. The word Id derived from the
Arabic Eid means 'festival' and 'zuha' comes from uzhaiyya, which
translates to 'sacrifice'. Eid Al Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's
willingness to sacrifice his son on God's command. According to Islamic
belief, to test Ibrahim, Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son
Ismail. He agreed to do it but found his paternal feelings hard to
suppress. So he blindfolded himself before putting Ismail on the altar
at the mount of Mina near Mecca. When he removed his blind-fold after
performing the act, he saw his son standing in front of him, alive. On
the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. It is in honor of this test of faith
that Muslims around the world sacrifice an animal on the occasion to
show their faith, allegiance and sincerity to Allah. In India, the
animal used mostly for sacrifice is the goat, which is why the occasion
is spoken of in Urdu as Bakhr or Bakri-Id. The festival also coincides
with the anniversary of the day when The Holy Quran was declared
complete. It is also the time when many Muslims undertake Haj to Mecca.
For the millions at Haj in Saudi Arabia, it is an auspicious day. Being
a lunar date, Eid depends on the sighting of the moon. According to the
customs the pilgrims at Haj collect seventy pebbles that are used to
drive away the Shaitan or Satan who tried to dissuade Prophet Ibrahim
thrice from making the supreme sacrifice. This gesture marks the
symbolic condemnation of evil power that tries to dissuade man from
reaching God. On the day of Eid, the pilgrims reach the grounds of Mina
where they sacrifice an animal each. The pilgrims then shave their
heads. The purpose is to be one with the millions of devotees who
converge to Mecca each year for the Haj. In India, the day begins with a
ghusl or bath, after which namaaz is offered. It is mandatory to
sacrifice either individually or collectively if one cannot afford the
full price of the animal. To a Muslim it is the word of Allah that has
to be followed. The sacrificial meat is then distributed amongst family,
friends and the needy. Prayer meetings and Eid Milans are part of the
festivities. People visit friends and relatives wearing new clothes and
jewellery. Children are given idi or gifts and money. In the Indian
subcontinent sweets are exchanged. Vermicelli or seviyan, a traditional
sweet, is prepared specially for this festival.
