EID al-ADHA – The Feast of the Sacrifice (concluding the Hajj)

Before Eid al-Adha prayers in Jakarta, Indonesia (photo AP - REUTERS - AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

On November 6, 2011, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid al-Adha also known as Feast of the Sacrifice or Greater Eid (the Arabic word “Eid” means festival and the word “Adha” means sacrifice). The feast lasts for four days and is a public holiday in Muslim countries.
It is the feast of commitment, obedience and self sacrifice to Allah (God).
In the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha on the sunset of Saturday, the 5th of November. Although Eid al-Adha is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This difference means Eid al-Adha moves in the Gregorian calendar approximately 11 days every year. The date of Eid al-Adha may also vary from country to country depending on whether the moon has been sighted or not. Exact date depends on moonsighting announcement in Mecca.
Eid al-Adha is one of the two most important Islamic Eids, the other being Eid al-Fitr, the Feast of Fast-Breaking, which follows Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Eid al-Adha marks the end of the HAJJ (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca), where Muslims commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham.
The festival is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s (Ibrahim) willingness to sacrifice everything for God, including the life of his son Ishmael (Isma’il). Because God spared Ishmael, substituting a sheep in his stead, Muslims commemorate this occasion by slaughtering an animal. The meat is divided into three equal parts. The family retains one third of the share, another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours, and the other third is given to the poor and needy. Because of this, many poor Muslims are able to enjoy the unusual luxury of eating meat during the days of the festival.

The Hajj and Eid al-Adha
(The Boston Globe, December 12, 2008)
“Traveller” – sung by Nazeel Azami:

The sacrifice itself is not related to atoning for sins or using the blood to wash themselves from sin.
“It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him.” (Qur’an 22:37)
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Religious Origins

According to Muslims, approximately four thousand years ago, the valley of Mecca (in what is now Saudi Arabia) was a dry, rocky and uninhabited place. According to Islam, the Prophet Abraham (‘Ibraheem in Arabic) was instructed to bring his Egyptian wife Hagar (Hāǧar) and Ishmael, his only child at the time (Ismā’īl), to Arabia from the land of Canaan (in Palestine) by God’s command (In Islam, Hagar’s story is alluded to in the Qur’an, but her name is not mentioned; her role is elaborated in the Hadith, the narrations concerning the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad).
As Abraham was ready to return to Canaan, Hagar asked him, “Did “Allah” (God) order you to leave us here”? When Abraham replied: “Yes, I was directed by Allah” (God), Hagar said, “then Allah will not forget us; you can go”. Although Abraham had left a large quantity of food and water with Hagar and Ishmael, the supplies quickly ran out, and within a few days the two began to feel the pangs of hunger and dehydration.
According to Islamic belief, Hagar ran up and down between two hills called Al-Safa and Al-Marwah seven times, in her desperate quest for water. Finally, she collapsed beside Ishmael and prayed to God for deliverance. Miraculously, a spring of water gushed forth from the earth at the feet of Ishmael.
Other accounts have the angel Gabriel (Jibril) striking the earth and causing the spring to flow in abundance. With this secure water supply, known as the Zamzam Well, they were not only able to provide for their own needs, but were also able to trade water with passing nomads for food and supplies.

Years later, Abraham was instructed by God to return from Palestine to build a place of worship dedicated to him adjacent to Hagar’s well (the Zamzam Well). Abraham and Ishmael constructed a stone and mortar structure —known as the Kaaba — which was to be the gathering place for all who wished to strengthen their faith in God. As the years passed, Ishmael was blessed with Prophethood (Nubuwwah) and gave the nomads of the desert his message of submission to God.
After many centuries, Mecca became a thriving desert city and a major center for trade, thanks to its reliable water source, the well of Zamzam.
One of the main trials of Abraham’s life was to face the command of God to devote his dearest possession, his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to God’s will. During this preparation, Satan (Shaitan) tempted Abraham and his family by trying to dissuade them from carrying out God’s commandment, and Ibrahim and Ishmael drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him. In commemoration of their rejection of Satan, stones are thrown during Hajj.
When Ishmael was about 13 (Ibrahim being 99), Allah (God) decided to test their faith in and submission to Allah in public. Both father and son were put through the most difficult test of their love for Allah. Abraham had a recurring dream, in which God was commanding him to offer his son as a sacrifice – an unimaginable act – sacrificing his son, which God had granted him after many years of deep prayer, the one who had been the centre of his affection and love for all these years. Abraham knew that the dreams of the prophets were inspired by Allah, and one of the ways in which God communicated with his prophets. This must be what Allah had wanted him to do. When the intent of the dreams became clear to him, Abraham decided to fulfill God’s command and to offer his beloved son in sacrifice.
Although Abraham was ready to sacrifice his dearest for Allah’s sake, he could not just go and drag his son to the place of sacrifice without his consent. Isma’el had to be consulted as to whether he was willing to give up his life as fulfillment to God’s command. This consultation would be a major test of Isma’el’s maturity in faith, love and commitment for Allah, willingness to obey his father and sacrifice his own life for the sake of Allah.
Abraham presented the matter to his son and asked for his opinion about the dreams of slaughtering him. Ishmael’s reaction was absolutely astounding. He did not show any hesitation or reservation even for a moment. He said, “Father, do what you have been commanded. You will find me, Insha’Allah (God willing), to be very patient.” His mature response, his deep insight into the nature of dad’s dreams, his commitment to Allah, and ultimately his willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of Allah were all unprecedented.
When both father and son had shown their perfect obedience to Allah and they had practically demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice their most precious possessions for His sake – Abraham by laying down his son for sacrifice and Ishmael by lying patiently under the knife – Allah called out to them stating that his sincere intentions had been accepted, and that he need not carry out the killing of Ishmael. Instead, Abraham was told to replace his son with a ram to sacrifice instead. Allah also told them that they had passed the test imposed upon them by his willingness to carry out God’s command.
As a reward for this sacrifice, Allah then granted Abraham the good news of the birth of his second son, Is-haaq (Isaac).

About Eid al-Adha and the Abrahamic faith:

The Abrahamic religion is a monotheistic faith emphasizing and tracing its common origin to Abraham.The three major Abrahamic religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
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The HAJJ – Pilgrimage to Mecca

The day before Eid al-Adha is the Day of Arafa or the Day of Hajj when millions of Muslims make the journey to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia to perform a pilgrimage of religious rites known as the Hajj.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated annually on the 10th day of the 12th and the last Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha celebrations start one day after the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat.
The Hajj is currently the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam for Sunni Muslims.
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam, and Sunni Muslims are referred to as Ahlus Sunnah wa Al-Jamā‘ah (“people of the tradition [of Muhammad] and the community”) or in short form Ahlus Sunnah. Sunni Islam may be referred to as Orthodox Islam. The word “Sunni” comes from the Arabic term Sunnah, which refers to the words and actions or example of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Hajj is a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God (Allah).
The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar.

MECCA
National Geographic

The Hajj is associated with the life of Islamic prophet Muhammad from the 7th century, but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca is considered by Muslims to stretch back thousands of years to the time of Abraham (Ibrahim).
Pilgrims join processions of hundreds of thousands of people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals.
The Hajj represents the culmination of the Muslim’s spiritual life. For many, it is a lifelong ambition. From the time of embarking on the journey to make the hajj, pilgrims often experience a spirit of exaltation and excitement; the meeting of so many Muslims of all races, cultures, and stations in life in harmony and equality moves many people deeply.
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Following the Footsteps of Prophet Muhammad

In fulfilling the commandment to perform the Hajj, the pilgrims not only obey the Prophet’s words but also literally follow his footsteps. The sacred sites along the pilgrimage route were frequented by Muhammad and formed the backdrop to the most important events of his life. It is believed, for example, that he received his first revelation at Jabal an Nur (Mountain of Light) near Mina.
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The Haram

The Haram, or holy area of Mecca, is a sanctuary in which violence to people, animals, and even plants is not permitted. The word Haram carries the dual meaning of forbidden and sacred. As a symbol of ritual purification, on approaching its boundaries the male pilgrim dons an ihram, two white seamless pieces of cloth, although many don the ihram upon first arriving in the kingdom. Women wear a white dress and a scarf and may choose to veil their faces, although it is not required. Once properly attired, pilgrims enter a state of purity in which they avoid bathing, cutting hair and nails, violence, arguing, and sexual relations.
Approaching Mecca, pilgrims shout, “I am here, O Lord, I am here!”
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The Kaaba

The Kaaba in Mecca (photo: Flickr/©deendotsg.)

Pilgrims enter the Grand Mosque surrounding the Kaaba, a cube-shaped sanctuary first built, according to Muslim tradition, by Abraham and his son Ismail. The Kaaba contains a black stone believed to have been given to Abraham by the angel Gabriel, according to some sources, and by others, to have been simply part of the structure of the original Kaaba. In pre-Islamic times, the Kaaba was the object of pilgrimage, housing the idols of the pagan Jahiliya, the age of ignorance, and, according to Islamic tradition, was cleansed by Muhammad of idols and rededicated to the worship of the one God.
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Umrah

Umrah means to perform Tawaf round the Kaaba and Sa’i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah:
On the first day of the Hajj (the 7th day of the 12th month in other words, Dhu al-Hijjah), the pilgrims perform their first Tawaf, which involves all of the pilgrims visiting the Kabaa and walking seven times counter-clockwise around the Kaaba. They may also kiss the Black Stone (Al Hajar Al Aswad) on each circuit. If kissing the stone is not possible because of the crowds, they may simply point towards the Stone on each circuit with their right hand. In each complete circuit a pilgrim says:

“In the name of God, God is Great, God is Great, God is Great and praise be to God”
(Bism Allah Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lil Lahi Alhamd)

with 7 circuits constituting a complete Tawaf. The place where pilgrims walk is known as Mutaaf. Only the first three shouts are compulsory, but almost all perform it seven times.

The Tawaf is normally performed all at once. Eating is not permitted but drinking of water is allowed because of the risk of dehydration. Men are encouraged to perform the first three circuits at a hurried pace, followed by four times, more closely, at a leisurely pace.
After the completion of Tawaf, all the pilgrims have to offer two Rakaat prayers at the Place of Abraham (Muqaam Ibrahim), a site inside the mosque that is near the Kaaba. However, again because of large crowds during the days of Hajj, they may instead pray anywhere in the mosque.
Although the circuits around the Kaaba are traditionally done on the ground level, Tawaf is now also performed on the first floor and roof of the mosque because of the large crowd.

The Hills of Safa and Marwah

After Tawaf on the same day , the pilgrims perform Saaee (sa`i), running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This is a re-enactment of the frantic search for water for her son Ishmael by Abraham’s wife Hagar. As she searched, the Zamzam Well was revealed to her by an angel, who hit the ground with his heel (or brushed the ground with the tip of his wing), upon which the water of the Zamzam started gushing from the ground. The back and forth circuit of the pilgrims used to be in the open air, but is now entirely enclosed by the Masjid al-Haram mosque, and can be accessed via air-conditioned tunnels.

7 rounds between Safa and Marwa Hills (photo: www.wallsinn.com)

Pilgrims are advised to walk the circuit, though two green pillars mark a short section of the path where they are allowed to run. There is also an internal “express lane” for the disabled. The safety procedures are in place because previous incidents in this ritual have resulted in stampedes which caused the deaths of hundreds of people.
As part of this ritual the pilgrims also drink water from the Zamzam Well, which is made available in coolers throughout the Mosque. After the visit to the mosque on this day of the Hajj, the pilgrims then return to their tents.
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Mount Arafat and WUQUF

The next morning, on the eighth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims proceed to Mina, a plain outside Mecca, where they spend the night in prayer and meditation.
On the morning of the ninth day, they leave Mina and proceed to the plain of Mount Arafat, a granite hill east of Mecca. It is also known as the Mount of Mercy (Jabal ar-Rahmah).

Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat, 2009. (photo Mahmud /AFP/Getty Images)

The hill is the place Muslims believe the prophet Muhammad stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life. It reaches about 70 m in height.
At Mount Arafat, Pilgrims perform the central ritual of the Hajj: Wuquf.
The congregation faces Mecca and prays and recites the Qur’an from noon to sundwon. No specific rituals or prayers are required during the stay at Arafat, although many pilgrims spend time praying and thinking about the course of their lives. A pilgrim’s Hajj is considered invalid if he did not spent the afternoon at Mt. Arafat.
According to Islamic tradition, it was on Mount Arafat that Adam and Eve, separated for 200 years following their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, met and recognized each other and were reunited. Here too they were forgiven by Allah for their transgression after offering their repentance. A main reason of the ritual of pilgrimage is the renewal of that Prayer of Repentance every year standing on the hill of mercy, the climax of Hajj. The pilgrims will spend the whole day on Arafat supplicating to Allah to forgive their sins and praying for Muslim unity and world peace.
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Muzdalifah

As soon as the sun sets, the pilgrims leave Arafat for Muzdalifah, an area between Arafat and Mina, where they gather pebbles for the next day’s ritual of the stoning of the Devil (Shaitan). Many pilgrims spend the night sleeping on the ground or back in their tents at Muzdalifah before returning to Mina.

Ramy al-Jamarat – Stoning of the Devil

At Muzdalifah, the pilgrims perform Ramy al-Jamarat, signifying their defiance of the Devil by tossing pebbles at one of three stone pillars representing Satan.

Muslim pilgrims throw pebbles at a stone pillar representing the devil, during the Hajj 2009. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Satan, in Islamic tradition, tempted Abraham not to sacrifice Ismail as God commanded. Ismail stoned Satan in response to the temptation, an act that symbolizes for the Muslim Ismail’s total submission to the will of God, for he went as a willing victim to the sacrifice. In the stoning, pilgrims renounce evil and declare their willingness to sacrifice all they have to God.
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Eid al-Adha

(AP photo/Mohammad Abu Ghosh)

After the “Stoning of the Devil”, the pilgrims perform animal sacrifices, to symbolize God having mercy on Abraham and replacing his son with a ram, which Abraham then sacrificed. Traditionally the pilgrims slaughtered the animal themselves, or oversaw the slaughtering. Today many pilgrims buy a sacrifice voucher in Mecca before the greater Hajj begins, which allows an animal to be slaughtered in their name on the 10th, without the pilgrim being physically present. Centralized butchers sacrifice a single sheep for each pilgrim, or a cow can represent the sacrifice of seven people. The meat is then packaged and given to charity and shipped to poor people around the world.
At the same time as the sacrifices occur at Mecca, Muslims around the world perform similar sacrifices, in the four day festival called Eid al-Adha.

On this or the following day the pilgrims re-visit the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca for another Tawaf, to walk around the Kaaba. This is called the Tawaf az-Ziyarah or Tawaf al-Ifadah, which symbolizes being in a hurry to respond to God and show love for Him, an obligatory part of the Hajj. The night of the 10th is spent back at Mina.
Before leaving Mecca, pilgrims perform a farewell Tawaf called the Tawaf al-Wida. ‘Wida’ means ‘to bid farewell’.

Though it is not required as part of the Hajj, many pilgrims also travel to the city of Medina and the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet), which contains Muhammad’s tomb and Riad ul Jannah and also pay visit to the grave of Muhammad’s companion, Umhat ul Mominen and Ahl al-Bayt in Al-Baqi’.

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The Ministry of Pilgrimage Affairs and Religious Trusts
handles the immense logistical and administrative problems generated by such a huge international gathering.

The government issues special pilgrimage visas that permit the pilgrim to visit Mecca and to make the customary excursion to Medina to visit the Prophet’s tomb. Care is taken to assure that pilgrims do not remain in the kingdom after the hajj to search for work.
An elaborate guild of specialists assists the hajjis. Guides (mutawwifs) who speak the pilgrim’s language make the necessary arrangements in Mecca and instruct the pilgrim in the proper performance of rituals; assistants (wakils) provide subsidiary services. Separate groups of specialists take care of pilgrims in Medina and Jiddah. Water drawers (zamzamis) provide water drawn from the sacred well.
The rite of pilgrimage not only has special significance in the life of Muslims but also has profound political significance for the Saudi monarchy. The king has claimed for himself the title Khadim al Haramayn, or “custodian of the two holy mosques,” a title that complements the Saudi claim to legitimacy. To prove themselves worthy of the title, Saudi monarchs must show that they are not only capable of defending the interests of Arabian Muslims but also of defending the holy sites of Islam for the benefit of Muslims the world over. The Saudis have therefore invested heavily over the years in facilitating the arrival, transportation, feeding, and accommodation of pilgrims arriving annually for the rites of the hajj. New airport buildings, road networks, water supplies, and public health facilities have been provided.
Much publicity has accompanied government contributions to the comfort of pilgrims. The government distributes bottled water, juices, and boxed lunches during the climbing of Mount Arafat; stations ambulances staffed with first-aid teams in strategic locations; shows health education videos on airplanes and ships bringing pilgrims; and relieves pilgrims of the task of having to slaughter their sacrificial animal. The Islamic Development Bank now sells vouchers for sacrificial animals, which are chosen by the pilgrim and then slaughtered, processed, and frozen for distribution and sale in slaughterhouses in Mina.

Preparations in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Over two million Muslim pilgrims are expected in the holy city of Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage amid a vast security operation to avert any militant attacks or deadly stampedes.