Muslims celebrate Eid twice in an Islamic year with the first Eid following right after the Holy month of Ramadan-Eid-ul-Fitr and the second one after the Hajj pilgrimage-Eid-ul-Adha. On the 10th day of the 12th month, the Zil-al-Hijjah of the Islamic lunar calendar is Eid-ul-Adha.
This Eid is a festival of meaty feasts, lots of cuisines involving meat from the sacrifice, family gatherings, BBQs and so much more.
History of Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha is also known as Eid-e-Qurban which means festival of Sacrifice that celebrates the biblical story of the Prophet Ibrahim’s testing by God. Eid-ul-Adha finds its origins in holy figures; the prophet Ibrahim, and his son.
In light of the accordance with the Quran, Allah commanded Ibrahim in his dream to sacrifice his firstborn son Ismail. Prophet Ibrahim, even though felt immense grief, complied with Allah’s command but Allah intervened at the very last moment by putting sheep in the place of Ismail, saving the son.
This is the very reason each year after the 9th of Zil-al-Hijjah; on the 10th Muslims commemorate the story through the sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows, or camels.
Commemoration of Eid Festivities
The festivities for Eid-ul-Adha start with Salat-e-Eid and Khutbah-eid prayers and special sermons followed by the sacrifice of the animal.
Once the animal/animals have been sacrificed, the meat obtained is distributed amongst the immediate family of the person who made the sacrifice, their extended family and friends, and mainly amongst the people in need.
The message behind the Sacrificial
The very base of this festival in Islam is to feel the hardships or sacrifice something precious in the ways of Allah. The festival also makes Muslims learn lessons of generosity and putting the needs of people above our own needs and wants.
While some Muslims sacrifice animals, some choose to donate the equivalent amount of money to charities for them to sacrifice on their behalf and distribute the meat amongst the ones who are in a position to not afford to sacrifice animals.
For those who opt to donate instead of conducting the sacrificial on their own, HANDS welcomes them with open hands, assuring that the sacrifice and distribution of meat would be carried out by strictly following Islamic law.
HANDS very well knows the families in need and their feeling of being left out and salutes people who feel the pain of these families. Hence, HANDS guarantees a justified and equal distribution of meat amongst the ones who actually need it.
HANDS also takes responsibility that each family will receive fresh and more than enough cuts of meat to cook a perfectly nutritious and festive meal so that no one feels left out on the auspiciously happy occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
Come join us to reach those who feel the pain of being left out on Eid and fill their stomachs and hearts with happiness and joy, spreading smiles and gaining the true meaning of Eid-ul-Adha. Head to donate at https://hands.org.pk/ways-to-donate/.