Eid Ul Adha - Bakr Id - the Muslim Festival of Sacrifice

Eid Ul Adha is also known as Bakr Id in India, because of the traditional sacrifice of a goat (called Bakri in Urdu).

It is a Muslim religious holiday festival and is also called by other names like Eid Ul Zuha, Qurbani Eid, Eid of Sacrifice, Greater Eid etc.

The word Eid in Arabic means festival and Zuha becomes translated into meaning sacrifice; Qurbani also means sacrifice.

There are 2 main Eids in Islam :

• Eid Ul Fitr - celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan
• Eid Ul Adha - celebrated at the end of Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken by Muslims, worldwide)

Id Ul Adha or Bakr Id is celebrated by both Shia as well as Sunni Muslims.

Eid Ul Adha celebrations start after the completion of Hajj. This festival comes about 70 days after Eid Ul Fitr. It is celebrated from the 10th to 12th day in the month of Dhul Hijjah.

Every able Muslim is directed to go on a Hajj pilgrimage at least once in his lifetime.

(Note : Id is also written as Eid. Both forms have been used in this hub).

Eid Ul Adha is a festival that Muslims around the world celebrate with special prayers, greeting and gifts. It is one of the most important Muslim festivals.

Early in the morning Muslims dress in their best clothes and proceed to the mosque to offer (namaaz) prayers. Prayers are offered collectively by hundreds of Muslims for peace & prosperity. Prayers can be offered in the mosque or in an open air area called Eidgah.

Bakr Id is celebrated over a period of 3 days and 2 nights. The animal (goat, sheep, cow or camel) sacrifice can be given before sunset on the 3rd day.

Muslims in India mostly sacrifice a goat or sheep to commemorate the sacrifice of their prophet Ibrahim, who showed his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, as per Allah's wish.

Each financially capable Muslim is supposed to sacrifice an animal. Those who cannot afford, can collectively offer a single animal for sacrifice. After the sacrifice, 1/3 of the meat is kept for personal consumption, 1/3 is given to friends and relatives and 1/3 is distributed among the poor and needy.

The skin or proceeds from its sale is donated to charitable institutions, orphanages or madrasas.

The sacrificial meat is distributed once the Id prayers are offered. Along with this special delicacies are prepared on this occasion for friends and relatives.

The animals meant for sacrificed are cared for very well and are given good healthy food so as to make them put on weight and look good. The price a good looking healthy animal fetches is more and there are markets where these animals can be bought for this festival.

Muslims wish each other 'Eid Mubarak", visit family and friends, serve specially prepared food and exchange gifts. Children are given gifts called 'idi and money.

This festival is celebrated in a big way in India with traditional fervor and gaiety.

This day is also significant as on this day the Holy Quran was declared complete.

Bakr Id is a national holiday in India. All central & state government offices, post offices, banks are closed on this day.

Hazrat Ibrahim was a Muslim religious leader. Once, he had a dream in which he saw that Allah commands him to sacrifice his son. Ibrahim had gotten his son after years of praying and it was very difficult for him to carry out this order. But he soon realized that Allah wanted to test his faith and obedience to His will. He told his son Ismail of his dream. Ismail was not found wanting.

Both Ibrahim and his son reached the place where the prophet was supposed to offer the sacrifice. This was at a place called Mina near Mecca.

As Ibrahim was about to carry out the sacrifice, he heard Allah's voice say to him that he had passed the test of devotion and he needn't now sacrifice his son and advised him to sacrifice a lamb instead.

Hence, on Bakr Id the ceremonial sacrifice of a goat or sheep is done to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim and the celebrations of Id Ul Zuha commemorate this historical incident of faith and devotion of Ibrahim in Allah.

• Fish Kebab Recipe

With yogurt, lemon juice and Indian spices

• Chicken Mughlai Recipe

With Indian spices, sugar and cream

• Boti Kebab

With Lamb, yogurt and Indian spices

To see the above recipes click HERE

• Kashmiri Biryani

With chicken, yogurt, milk, dry fruits, saffron and Indian spices

To see recipe click HERE

The Bakr Id dates are calculated on the basis of the Islamic or the lunar calendar and as such are tentative. Confirmed dates are dependent on sighting of the moon. The dates are corrected 10 days before the festival begins. These dates are announced by the Supreme Judicial Council in Saudi Arabia.