The tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah (Eid al-Adha) is one of the greatest festivals celebrated annually by Muslims worldwide. Eid-ul-Adha is also known as the festival of sacrifice in which Muslims sacrifice a domestic animal such as a cow, sheep, goat, or camel in one of the three days of Eid-ul-Adha for the sake of Allah Almighty. Eid al-Adha is celebrated after the completion of Hajj rites by slaughtering animals.
The history of this great festival could be traced back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he had a vision and was commanded to sacrifice his son. Allah says: “When he was old enough to assist in his endeavour, he said, ‘My son! I see in dreams that I am sacrificing you. See what you think.’ He said, ‘Father! Do whatever you have been commanded. If Allah wishes, you will find me to be patient.’” (Qur’an 37: 102)
Based on the opinion of some Qur’anic exegetes, Isma’il was thirteen years old when Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) had a wonderful dream which denotes the beginning of another great trial concerning this respectable Prophet. In his dream, he saw that he was ordered by Allah to sacrifice his only son by his own hand. Being very terrified, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) awoke. He knew that the Prophets’ dream was true and it was far from the Satanic temptations. Yet the same dream was repeated two times more, which was an emphasis on the necessity of that action as well as its urgency.
It is said that the first time Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) saw this dream was on the night of the eighth night of Dhu al-Hijjah (Tarwiyah), but on the night of Arafah (the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah) and the night of Feast of Sacrifice (the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah), the dream was repeated, so there remained no doubt for him that it was the decisive command of Allah. (Enlightening Commentary of the Qur’an, vol 15)
However, before anything else, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) ought to make the son prepared for this action. So, he, addressing him, informed him as follows: “…My son! I see in dreams that I am sacrificing you. See what you think…”
The son, who was a copy of the father, the donator, and had learnt the lesson of patience and perseverance, and faith in his father’s school during his short lifetime, happily and eagerly accepted that Divine commandment, and explicitly and with conclusiveness, answered as follows: “…He said, ‘Father! Do whatever you have been commanded. If Allah wishes, you will find me to be patient.’”
Thus, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) put his son’s forehead on earth and placed a knife on his throat, but the knife would not cut Isma’il’s throat. When both of them, father and son, showed their complete and sincere submission to the will of God. Consequently, God accepted their sacrifice and instead of his son, Ibrahim sacrificed a ram which was brought by Gabriel.
And thus, both father and son passed completely and successfully the first stage of this great examination. Meanwhile, in order to acknowledge this unique submission to the will of Allah, the Eid of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) is annually celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
Lessons from Eid al-Adha
One of the lessons that should be learnt in this event is that trial and tribulation are part and parcel of life which cannot be avoided irrespective of one’s spiritual and social positions. That is to say, the trial of Allah is meant for all and sundry; whether faithful or otherwise. In other words, Islam teaches that our life on earth is a test of our faith in God and we’ll find out how we did on the test after death on the Day of Judgement. Meanwhile, it is pertinent to know that tests and trials are given based on an individual’s capacity and level of knowledge. The purpose of these tests is to bring the individual higher in rank so that ultimately, they get to know God properly.
Another lesson from this event is the practice of seeking the consent of others, particularly on issues that are related to them. Even though Hazrat Ibrahim was a Prophet of Allah and was ready to sacrifice his only child for God’s sake, but he still consented to his son, Isma’il as to whether he was willing to give up his life to fulfil God’s command or not. This consultation would be a major test of Isma’il’s maturity in faith, commitment to God, and willingness to obey his father and sacrifice his own life for the sake of God. Meanwhile, when both the father and son had displayed their perfect submission to God and had demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice their most precious possessions for His sake, Allah called out to them stating that Abraham’s sincere intentions had been accepted and that he needs not to carry out the killing of Isma’il. Instead, Abraham was told to replace his son with a ram to be sacrificed.
Another important lesson of this story of Prophet Ibrahim is that no good or bad deed will ever go unrewarded. For every good deed done faithfully shall be rewarded accordingly either in this world or in the Hereafter or both. As Almighty Allah shall not wrong any of His creatures.
On a final note, it could be said that the Eid al-Adha celebration reminds us to be submissive to Allah, remain hopeful in the face of trials, and be kind and generous to other creatures.
The eve of Eid al-Adha
The tenth night of Dhu al-Hijjah is a blessed night since it is one of the four nights that should be advisably spent with acts of worship. On this night, the doors of the Heavens are opened. It is also highly recommended to visit the tomb of Imam al-Husain (PBUH) on this night and to say the supplication that has been previously cited in this book within the rites of Friday nights: “يا دائم الفضل على البريّة”
Meanwhile, for those who cannot make the visitation to the shrine of Imam Husain (PBUH), then they can recite his Ziyarat from afar.
The day of Eid al-Adha
The tenth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is the Eid al-Adha. There are some rituals and practices that are recommended and prescribed on this day. These are as follows:
1. Doing ghusl (ritual bath): According to al-Majlisi, taking ghusl on the day of Eid al-Adha is highly recommended (Mustahab), to the point that some scholars have deemed it obligatory (Wajib).
2. Eid Prayer: This prayer is obligatory at the time of the presence of Infallible Imams (peace be upon them); but according to the famous viewpoint among Shi’a scholars, in the era of the occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his appearance) it is a stressed recommended – be it in person or congregation.
3. It is recommended to recite the supplications that have been narrated before the start of Eid Prayer. The best among these supplications is the 48th supplication of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, it is better to recite the 46th supplication as well.
4. Du’a al-Nudba: Reciting the supplication of al-Nudba on this day and all other Islamic Eids is recommended.
5. Offering Sacrifice: it is compulsory upon those participating in Hajj, but also is greatly recommended for all Muslims on this day to offer a sacrifice in so much as some of the scholars have deemed it obligatory upon those who have enough (financial) capability. It is recommended to prepare a meal with a part of its meat and eat it after the Eid prayer.
6. The famous Takbirs of this Eid should be recited: those who are present in the desert of Mina on this day, must recite these Takbirs after 15 daily prayers, starting from the noon prayer on the day of Eid and ending in the dawn prayer of the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah; however, those who are not present in the desert of Mina on Eid day, recite the Takbirs after ten daily prayers, starting from noon prayer of Eid day to the dawn prayer of the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah. These Takbirs, according to the report of al-Kāfi are as follows:
اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ، لا اِلـهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ وَ اللهُ اَكْبَر اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ، و للهِ الْحَمْدُ اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ عَلی ما هَدانا ااَللهُ اَكْبَرُ عَلی ما رَزَقَنا مِنْ بَهیمَةِ الانعامِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ عَلی ما أبْلانا
“Allah is great, Allah is great, there’s no god but Allah and Allah is great, To Allah be the praise, Allah is great for He has guided us, Allah is great for he has given us sustenance from cattle, Praise be to Allah for He has tested us.”
7. Ziyarah of Imam al-Husain (PBUH): Visitation to the Shrine of Imam Husain (PBUH) in Karbala is highly recommended on this day. And those who cannot do so, they should recite his ziyarat from afar.
8. On this great occasion, Muslims should remember the needy by extending a helping hand towards them and also by distributing meat among them.
