Some Facts About Eid-Ul-Azha

When Is It Celebrated?

Eid- ul- Azha is the second of two Eids celebrated by Muslims on the 10^th of Zil Haj (Muslim calendar). It marks the end of the Haj Pilgrimage to the Kaaba (symbolic House of God). This Eid is commonly known as the eid of sacrifice.

Philosophy of Sacrifice

One of the prophets of Islam, Hazrat Ibrahim, was asked by God to sacrifice his only son in the name of God. After great deliberation he decided to comply with the will of God. He took his son to the altar and got ready to offer the life of his son. As he closed his eyes to face this tough task, God rewarded his compliance by placing an animal at the altar. Hence the symbolic gesture of sacrificing an animal on this day.

According to Islam the sacrifice of animals is not done to appease offended deities or to win favours as an atonement for their sins. The Quran says:

“Neither the flesh nor the blood of your sacrifices reaches God, but it is the righteous motive underlying them that reaches Him.”

The animal that is sacrificed really stands for the animal in man.

Preparations and Celebration

The Eid day starts by offering prayers. Generally no breakfast is served on this Eid, and those who offer sacrifice do not eat anything after they have sacrificed the animal.

One lamb or goat suffices for one family, and a cow or camel can be shared by seven people. The person who sacrifices the animal is allowed to use one portion of the meat for himself. The remainder is distributed among relatives, friends, neighbours and the poor. Animals can be sacrificed on the day of the Eid and two days that follow. The skins of the slaughtered animals are sold and the proceeds are given to various charities.