CELEBRATING EID UL ADHA

CELEBRATING EID UL ADHA

Millions of Muslims across the world have begun celebrating the Eid-al-Adha. Eid-al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is celebrated during the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, known as Dhul Hijjah.

The festival has a clear message of piety, charity as well as equality. The Quran states: “Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.” (22:37). Eid-al-Adha is not about shedding blood to please God. It is about giving up something you hold dear in devotion to God.

    It is also mandatory to share the meat of the sacrificed animal. Since the time of Prophet Muhammad (p), Muslims have sacrificed animals on the day to honour Ibrahim's (p) spirit of sacrifice.

     The festival reminds us that though we kill animals for food, it’s only to fulfil the most basic of human needs, and is never a wanton act of violence.

    Sacrificing on Eid-al-Adha is compulsory only for those who can afford it. They have to share the meat with the poor and the needy. The festival ensures that even those who can’t afford meat get plenty of it at least once a year. When families receive Qurbani meat, it fosters a real sense of hope for them and allows them to celebrate this important occasion along with millions of other Muslims across the world. And because the sharing is a command of the Almighty, the poor can accept it with dignity.

     Eating meat is in no way exclusive to Muslims and is prevalent across the world. Animal sacrifice is not exclusive to Islam either. It is an essential ritual in many religions. Also, meat is a much cheaper source of nutrition, and not everyone can afford vegetarian alternatives. Those who receive the Qurbani meat include widowed women, orphaned children, refugees and poor, elderly or disabled people. For the majority of these people, meat is not part of their regular diet. The Qurbani meat allows some families to eat meat after a whole year.

       Yet, questions over the morality of meat-eating surface with renewed vigour during Eid-al-Adha that makes it clear that the motivation is not love for animals.

     An impartial analysis of this momentous occasion will make it visibly clear that it is the celebration of the spirit of sacrificing of what we love in the way of the Almighty Creator and for catering to the poor and  needy.

The festival celebrates the spirit of sacrifice and enables the poor people to fulfill their needs.

A prosperous and productive - Happy Eid-al-Adha.

Obed Khan - Vowel Education Academy