Sharing is important during Eid al-Adha
Naushad Ali and his family will mark Eid al-Adha, (Festival of the Sacrifice), by distributing the slaughtered meat within their families, friends and poor people.
Mr Ali, of Vuci road, Nausori, said his family would pray at home this morning within their bubble during this pandemic.
“After the prayer, we will slaughter an animal and distribute the meat,” he said.
He said his family would sacrifice a goat to mark the festival.
About Eid al-Adha
Mr Ali said Eid al-Adha was the latter of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr).
“It honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail, as an act of obedience to God’s command,” he said.
He said the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice dated from the historic event when Prophet Ibrahim where it was commanded by Allah (SWT), in a form of a dream vision, to sacrifice his son, Ismail.
“But while he was in the act of sacrificing his son, God sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge Ram (male sheep).
“Gabriel informed Ibrahim that his dream vision was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the Ram, as a ransom for his son,” Mr Ali said.
He said the story was mentioned in Chapter 37 of the Holy Qur’an.
Significance
Mr Ali added Eid al-Adha enjoys special significance because the day of sacrifice marked the climax of Hajj or Pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam.
“This annual pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia is an obligation only for those men and women who are physically and financially able to perform it once in their lifetime.”
“When asked about the origin of Eid al-Adha, the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, is reported to have said, “It is a tradition that has come down to us from Ibraham” some traditional acts are to share meat between our family relatives and friends, to sacrifice an animal in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim and share happiness between all people,” he said.
He also said during prayer time, it was said to wear the best of your costume.
“The one which is best for you. And yes during the slaughtering period we will change because of the work.”