Festival of the Sacrifice: Know why 'Eid-al-Adha' is celebrated!

Like every other festival, on 'Eid-al-Adha' or commonly known as 'bakra-eid' people exchange delicacies, put on new clothes, visit each-other and celebrate festival with their family and friends. But do you know this festival also has a long history that can blow your mind. So, without further delay lets dig into the times from where this tradition began. 

Saima Siddiqui
Published on: 11 Aug 2019 6:48 AM GMT
Festival of the Sacrifice: Know why Eid-al-Adha is celebrated!
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Lucknow: With the celebration of 'Eid-al-Adha' around the corner, people have started preparations for this three-days long festival.

Like every other festival, on 'Eid-al-Adha' or commonly known as 'bakra-eid' people exchange delicacies, put on new clothes, visit each-other and celebrate festival with their family and friends. But do you know this festival also has a long history that can blow your mind. So, without further delay lets dig into the times from where this tradition began.

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One night, Ibrahim, the Prophet of Allah, had a bad dream. He dreamt about sacrificing his son Ismail. Thinking that Shaytan was playing nasty tricks on him, the Prophet ignored it and the following night had the same horrifying dream.

Now, Ibrahim knew that Allah would only ask him to do such a thing if he had good reason. Even though he loved his son dearly, he accepted to do this difficult thing for Allah. Ibraim told Ismail they had to go to Mount Arafat. He took a knife and a rope with him. On the way they passed a place called Mina. The devil, Shaytan, came to Ibrahim and tried to trick him out of sacrificing his son. Ibrahim turned his back on him and would not listen.

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When they reached Mount Arafat, Ibrahim told Ismail what Allah wanted him to do. Ismail, without questioning, accepted what was to happen. He requested his father to tie his hands and legs and blindfold himself so he would not see his son suffer. Ibrahim did as Ismail had said.

He then took the knife and did what Allah had told him to do. When he took the blindfold from his eyes, to his surprise, laying down was not his son but at a dead ram. Ismail was at his side!

The Prophet now felt afraid as he thought he had disobeyed Allah's command, but then, he heard a voice telling him not to worry. Allah looks after his followers. Ibrahim and Ismail had passed a difficult test.

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Each year, during the month of Dhul Hijjah, many Muslims, from all over the world, travel to Makkah. They want to remember what Ibrahim and Ismail did. In the month of Dhul Hijjah these pilgrims go to Makkah, Mina and Arafat. They visit places where Ibrahim and Ismail lived and preached. They give a sacrifice just as Allah commanded Ibrahim to do. The pilgrims sacrifice animals in memory of the deed.

Saima Siddiqui

Saima Siddiqui

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