Eid-al-Adha is the festival of sacrifice and it lasts for three days. The festival also marks Qurbani and the Hajj pilgrimage. The celebration is held to commemorate the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim was ready to perform on his son Ismail to Allah. Allah spared his son and instead sent a ram for slaughter.
The festival is important as it reminds all Muslims to not be occupied with material possessions and instead they should not lose track of spirituality.
While it is not a pillar of Islam and is also not mandatory during Hajj but it is still a vital component of the Islamic religion. The rules that should be followed by every Muslim are listed below
A Muslim can perform a sacrifice on behalf of other people like those passed away. But it is to be noted that a parent must NOT provide a sacrifice on behalf of their children.
Of Rituals, Significance, and Duties: Islam’s most revered observance – Eid-ul-Adha
Sacrifice or the act of slaughtering animal should be done on 10th, 11th and 12th days of Dhul-Hijjah. It should be done as close to the completion of the Eid Salaah. The animals should be brought a few days before the slaughter. During the period before the sacrifice, the animal must be kept under favorable circumstances and should be fed well.
Although both male and female animals can be slaughtered it is preferable to choose male animals that are castrated for the sacrifice. The sacrificed animal is called Udiyyah and the animals that can be slaughtered are
Goats and sheep – These should be at least one year old. One goat or sheep is adequate for one person.
Buffalos, bulls or cows – These should be at least two years old. One cow or goat is adequate Qurbani for seven people.
Camels – These should be at least five years old. One camel is enough Qurbani for seven people.
Also, it should be noted that the person offering sacrifice should own the animal and it must not be stolen or forcefully taken from another person. Once the animal is chosen for sacrifice, it cannot be given or sold to another person. Also, ten days preceding the slaughter the person offering the sacrifice should not remove any hair or nails from their body.
Muslim bodies ask not to perform qurbani on roads, maintain hygiene ahead of Bakrid