Eid al-Adha or Bakrid is an auspicious festival celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It is also known as Eid ul-Zuha which translates to the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’. It also marks the completion of Hajj for Muslims.
When is Bakrid 2020
As per the Islamic Lunar Calendar, the festival is observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. This year, Bakrid falls on July 31.
Significance of Eid al-Adha:
The ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, honours the willingness of Ibrahim, the founding father of Islam, to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command. To celebrate the day, Muslim men, women, and children step out in their new finery and offer prayers at Idgah and greet each other. They feast on the goat’s meat and also distribute it among the poor.
Story of Eid al-Adha:
According to the holy Quran, about 4,000 years ago, Prophet Abraham was tested by God. After years of worship, Abraham and Hajra, his wife, were blessed with a son, and named him Ishamel. Thus, Ishamel became their most prized possession. To test the devotion of Abraham, God decided to command Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son Abraham. After much deliberation and many hindrances put forward by Satan, Abraham decided to sacrifice his son by placing him under the knife. However, just before he was about to sacrifice his son, God appeared, happy with Abraham’s intentions and Ishamel was saved from sacrifice, and instead, a goat was sacrificed in his place.
It was then revealed to him that it was a test of his faith and unflinching devotion to Allah. Therefore, the festival of Eid ul-Zuha is celebrated by the Muslims throughout the world by sacrificing a goat to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s Qurbani to Allah.
Eid al-Adha feast:
Muslims, on this day, feast on goat meat. Special dishes for the occasion include mutton biryani, mutton korma, mutton keema, and bhuni kaleji. Sheer kurma and kheer are the most popular among other desserts prepared for the feast.
