What is Eid-ul-Adha?
There are two Eid’s [Celebration Festivals] in Islam, “Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha”. Eid ul Edha,” the greater Eid”, follows the completion of the pilgrimage, at the time of Qurbani (sacrifice). The day of Eid-ul-Adha comes on the tenth day of Dhu-al-Hijjah. Dhu-al-Hijjah is the twelfth month of Islamic or lunar calendar. It is celebrating every year by Muslims by sacrificing animals for honouring and remembering sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim(AS).
Sunnah Practice On Eid al-Adha
Preparing to go to Eid Salah
Taking Bath
Wake up early in the morning and take a bath (its sunnah). Taking a shower for going to gatherings is good practice and manner. Our Prophet (PBUH) strongly recommend it.
Cleaning Teeth
Brush the teeth with a Miswak or toothbrush. Miswak is a beautiful sunnah, which is best for oral hygiene and health.
One narration is that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘This day is an ‘Eid (festival) which Allah has ordained for the Muslims. Whoever comes to Friday (prayer), let him take a bath, and if he has perfume, then let him put some on. And upon you (I urge to use) is the tooth stick(Miswak).”
Wearing new Dress
While celebrating Eid wear their best clothes, if one can afford must wear new clothing. Jaabir(R.A) narrated that:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and Fridays.
Al-Bayhaqi narrated that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid.
Men must wear their best cloth or new dress while going out for prayer. For women, they can also wear the best clothes and can beautify themselves, but while going out, they must not show off any of their adornments.
Use perfume
For those who are unfamiliar with this, attar,s a particular fragrance for men. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) applied Attar on Eid occasions. Using Attar (alcoholless perfume) is a Sunnah and is also highly recommended for men as it creates a pleasant aura.
Salat al-Eid | Eid Prayer
It’s no Eid without the proper prayers and Salat al-Eid can’t be skipped.
Going for prayer
While going for eid prayer, Sahabahs common practice was to recite takbeerat in the loud sound. They said takbeers all ten days of dhul hajj. Allah o Akbar Allah o Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allah o Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd.”
Prophet(ﷺ) use to change his route for going and returning from Eid prayer as narrated in some of the Hadiths. Abu Hurairah narrated:
When Messenger(PBUH) would go out on the Eid day by one way, he would return by another.
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 541
Eid Prayer
Eid prayer is a two rakah prayer. The difference from other prayers is that it has no adhan and iqama. Moreover, it has additions takbeers. Eid gaah or open area should be preferred to offer eid prayer.
The Prophet(PBUH) offered the ‘Eid prayer without an Adhan or an Iqamah.
Abu Dawud
It is narrated that:
The prayer while travelling is 2 Rakah, and Friday is two Rakah, and of Eid is 2 Rakah. They are complete and not shortened, as said by Muhammad (PBUH).
Sacrificing after salah
After performing Eid prayer, the act of sacrificing animals is done. It is obligatory to sacrifice after prayer as mention in various Hadiths:
On the day of Nahr, the Prophet of Allah(PBUH) offered the Salat and delivered the Khutba. And then slaughtered the sacrifice(Qurbani) and said, “Anybody who slaughtered before the prayer should slaughter another animal in place of it. And the one who has not yet slaughtered should slaughter the sacrifice stating Allah’s name on it.
Sahih al-Bukhari 985
Lesson of Eid al Adha
Eid al Adha is celebrated to remember one of greatest trial of Hazrat Ibrahim family. Ibrahim(AS) show submission to Allah on all His orders. In reward, all the generations of Muslims till hereafter follow his sunnah. Moreover, this sacred festival brings the following blessings and benefits for us:
- It increases our faith in Allah and submission to Allah’s Will.
- Eid is not only a ritual or festival but also mental, spiritual, physical and financial exercise for us.
- When we sacrifice our beloved animals and spend money in Allah’s way we become more Generous. And, then we can start not growing our intention more to worldly beauties. Following Ibrahim (AS)’s a sunnah we become generous in way of Allah.
- Massive buying and selling animals for the day of sacrifice Boosts economy.
- Eid is Social get-together so that we can share love and happiness.
- On this sacred occasion meat is shared among people, so that needy and poor people get their share.
Every command of Allah is not only just essential for us but it contains a treasure of wisdom. Keeping in mind these lessons while taking care of the sacrificial animal and sacrificing it on the three Eid-ul-Azha days, one finds a special pleasure and spiritual satisfaction.
Have a wonderful Eid 🙂
As Salaamu Alaikum, Praise be to Allah (SWT) for the intelligence that keeps the human family as a society in total submission to Allah (SWT).
We now know that there is always a message beyond the physical act. I submit that our innocence, our honesty, our sincerity, our always being in the truthful mode, is our natural animal( natural intelligence) selves. When we sacrifice ourselves in the manners mentioned, not giving it up, but living it out only for the sake of Allah(SWT), is a sacrifice.
People can really benefit from the sharing of the truth from our heart(intent) , our tongues ( our speech), and our hands(our actions). Inshaa Allah, this is my prayer, ameen.