Eid al - Adha is just around the corner and is the most important festival in the Islamic calendar.
The event, also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice” is the second of two holidays celebrated by Muslims each year and is considered holier of the two, hence it's nicknamed “Big Eid”.
Eid al - Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al - Hijjah, the 12th and most sacred month of the Islamic year. It is also when Hajj, a pilgrimage which all able - bodied Muslims are required to complete once in their lives, takes place.
What is the significance of Eid al - Adha?
The origin of Eid al - Adha dates back to the story of the prophet Ibrahim, as told in the Quran. After years of longing for a child, Ibrahim and his wife were given a son in their old age. But, as a testament to his love for Allah, Ibrahim was asked to sacrifice him.
However, before the blindfolded Ibrahim could carry out the sacrifice, Allah replaced his son with a ram in a fraction of a second, which was slaughtered instead. In celebration of Ibrahim’s love for god and this ultimate act of devotion, Muslims honor this by sacrificing an animal on Eid al - Adha every year.
Eid al - Adha, or Bakrid, celebrations usually last for three days. The celebrations include visits to mosques and offering of prayers for peace and prosperity, as well as a special feast that mainly contains mutton preparations.