Assalam alaikum, Eid al Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja which by tradition it is a 4 day holiday. The first begins with a congregational prayer at the mosque with the remaining three as days of celebration. The word Eid infers a celebration, whose root meaning is `that which comes back, time after time, and rejoicing' which if you ask me is the best kind of celebration.
Allah Almighty said, "Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him to the straight path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will certainly be among the righteous. So We have taught you the inspired message: `Follow the ways of Abraham the true in faith, and he ascribe partners to Allah'" [Surah an-Nahl (16): 120-3] Prophet Abraham underwent a great trial in which Allah Almighty commanded him to kill his son Ishmael. Having talked this through with his son, who accepted this command, as Prophet Abraham prepared to kill his child as a show of devotion to Allah the ultimate sacrifice for any parent to loose their child. As they went to Mina to perform the sacrifice, Iblis (satan) came to them both, trying to deter them but they remained steadfast in their determination. Just before Abraham was about to do it, Allah Almighty informed Abraham that his intention to sacrifice had been accepted and he need not do this. Instead a sheep was given as sacrifice. In celebration of this event, at the end of the pilgrimage, the Muslims today slaughter an animal typically consuming a third, distributing a third to friends, distributing the remaining third to the poor. This sacrifice demonstrates our willingness to give us something special in the service of God Almighty. Though Allah Almighty makes it clear in Surah al-Hajj (22) verse 37, "It is nor their meat nor their blood which reaches Allah, rather it is your piety that reaches Allah". Stress being placed not on the act of sacrifice of an animal, but the virtue behind that act. This is the meaning of Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. This notion is expressed in the Quran where Allah Almighty says, "Say: 'Truly, my prayer, my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.' [Surah al-Anam (6):162] By way of note, Surah al-Anam was revealed when Prophet Muhammad was riding on his she-camel whilst Asma was holding the nose-string (rein) and leading his camel. Asma related that whilst the Surah was being revealed to the Prophet, the she-camel started to feel the weight during the revelation so much so that it looked as if her bones would break. This event occurred in the last year of the Prophet's time in Mecca, before he migrated to Medina. Prophet Muhammad said that fasting on the day of Arafah (the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah) is an expiation of the sins of that year, and the year before [Ref: Muslim]. However, the Prophet clarified his statement saying that it was forbidden for someone who was at Arafah to fast on the day of Arafah. [Ref: Abu Dawood, Ahmad, Nasai and Ibn Majah]. The wisdom behind this is that the person at Arafah should have full energy to ensure that they can spend the day in worship to Allah, instead of with diminished energy as is found in one who is fasting. Thus, those present can benefit from the blessings of being at Arafah and those who are unable to be present can benefit from the blessings by fasting on that day. May Allah Almighty have mercy on us all, ameen. fi amanillah, assalam alaikum, f ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/TXWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest". Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamcity/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
