Page 9 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 4 Eid ul-Adha Every year, Muslims celebrate the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid ul-Adha), on the tenth day of the last month (Zul Hijjah) of the Islamic lunar calendar. This festival reminds Muslims of the great sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) when he was about to sacrifice his only son Ishmael for the love of God. Every Muslim, who can afford it, is expected to sacrifice and animal, a sheep or goat. For bigger animals (a cow or camel), a group of five individuals may share the cost of sacrificing one animal. After sacrificing an animal, Muslims are to distribute the meat into three parts: one-third to the needy, one-third to relatives, friend and neighbors, and the remaining one-third for one’s own family. This tradition inculcates into the minds of Muslims the concept of sacrificing one’s money, time, efforts, etc., all for the love of God. It also builds up a feeling of concern and a sense of sharing among friends, relatives, neighbors, and the needy. Muslims from all over the world, who can afford it, congregate at Mecca, Arabia, for the performance of Hajj and celebrate this occasion. Hajj (Pilgrimage) God the Exalted, has said: “And pilgrimage to the House of God is a duty unto God for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth (let him know that) lo! God is independent of (all) creatures.” (Quran 3:97) Hazrat Abu Hurairah (r.a.a.) says: “The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) once delivered a sermon and addressing us said: ‘O people! God has made it obligatory for you to perform Hajj (the pilgrimage), and as such you should perform it.’ A man asked: ‘O Messenger of God, should we perform Hajj every year?’ The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) kept quiet, till the man repeated his question thrice. Then the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: ‘Had I said ‘yes’, then this Hajj would have become a yearly obligatory duty, and this you could not have afforded.’ The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) further said: ‘Leave me when I omit something for you (i.e.) don’t pester me with such questions, when I am not imposing anything on you. Some people who lived before you, used to ask too many unnecessary questions, and would disagree with their prophets. On this account they were destroyed. As such when I call you to do something, you must obey and carry out my direction as far as it may be within your capacity, and when I forbid you to refrain from anything then avoid it.’” (Muslim) Hazrat Abu Hurairah (r.a.a.) says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) was once asked: ‘Which action is the best of all?’ He (s.a.w.) said: ‘To believe in God and his Messenger (s.a.w.).’ He (s.a.w.) was further asked: ‘And what next?’ He (s.a.w.) said: ‘Jihad (fighting) in the cause of God.’ He (s.a.w.) was asked again. ‘And what after that?’ He (s.a.w.) answered: ‘The Pilgrimage free from vices and defects.’ (Bukhari and Muslim) It is also reported by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (r.a.a.) that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: ‘Umrah followed by another Umrah atones for the sins committed between the two. The recompense for a pilgrimage (free from vice) is nothing but the paradise.’ (Bukhari and Muslim) Hazrat Ayesha (r.a.a.) relates: ‘I once requested the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) 0’ Messenger of God, we (the women folk) consider that Jihad (fighting) in the cause of God is the best deed, then may we not go forth fighting in the cause of God? He (s.a.w.) said: The best form of Jihad in the cause of God for you is the pilgrimage, free from all vices and defects. (Bukhari) Hazrat Ayesha (r.a.a.) relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: ‘There is no other day on which God frees the largest number of his bondsmen from the fire of Hell than the Day of Arafat.’ (Muslim) Hazrat Ibn Abbas (r.a.a.) says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: ‘Umrah performed during the month of Ramadan is equivalent to a pilgrimage or equals to the pilgrimage performed in my company.’ (Bukhari and Muslim) Hazrat Laqit bin ‘Aamir (r.a.a.) says that once he visited the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and submitted: ‘My father has grown very old and is not strong enough to undertake the journey to perform the pilgrimage or Umrah.’ The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: ‘You perform the Hajj and Umrah on behalf of your father.’ (Abu Daud and Tirmizi) Islamic Dietary Laws Teachings of the Prophet (SAW)
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