The face of the idol of our times is different from the idol of the origin of Islam. But in character, it is the same idol. Our present-day idol is materialism, which we must shatter in ourselves. And the outer devil is worldly oppression. This devil endeavors to cause a rift among Muslims, rendering them strangers and enemies to each other. It endeavors to widen differences among Muslims, lead them to wage war against each other, and cause them to use their capital in war rather than in the reconstruction of their societies. This kind of oppression seeks to plunder Muslims wealth and annihilate them.It is up to Muslims in this great international gathering to deliver themselves from polytheists, false deities and global oppressors. Muslims should become united all the more and come to know their enemies better.
This is the political side of the pilgrimage. This is why all oppressors oppose demonstrations at Makkah: they say that we must keep politics and religion separate; we say that to eschew oppression is part of our religion.Eid ul-Adha is second in the series of Eid festivals, after Eid al-Fitr during the Islamic month of Holy Ramadhan that Muslims celebrate across the world at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah. It is also referred to as the "Big Bayram" (from Turkish) or "Big Feast." Eid ul-Adha is known as Hari Raya Haji in Singapore and Malaysia, and Tabaski in West Africa. In India, the animal used most often for sacrifice is the goat - which is why the occasion is spoken of in Urdu language as Bakrid or Eid-e-Qurban.On this day Muslims sacrifice animals which have been deemed Halaal, or fit for sacrifice. They not only eat the meat themselves but distribute it amongst their neighbors, relatives and the poor and hungry.Eid Al-Adha or Eid ul Azha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of Islamic Lunar Calendar, after Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia. The underlying flavor is the spirit of sacrifice or Qurbani, commemorating Prophet Abraham's great act of faith many centuries ago. Almighty God put Prophet Abraham to a most difficult trial, the details of which are described in the Glorious Qur'an. During this day, men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing. For the millions at Hajj pilgrimage, it is a big day.
On this day, the pilgrims reach the grounds of Mina where they sacrifice an animal. It was here that Prophet Abraham is believed to have sacrificed his son Prophet Ishmael. The pilgrims then shave their heads.The charitable instincts of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid ul-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished Muslim is left without sacrificial food during this day. Coming immediately after the Day of Arafat (when Prophet Muhammad pronounced the final seal on the religion of Islam), Eid ul-Adha gives concrete realization to what the Muslim community ethic means in practice.I turn my face to the Creator of the of the heavens and the earth, on the religion of Ibrahim, worshipping only Allah, 'and he Ibrahim was not of the idolators'. Indeed my prayer, my rituals, my life and my death are for Allah, the Lord of Worlds, He has no partner, and with this I was commanded and I am from the Muslims. O Allah! [It is] from You and to You, on behalf of Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah upon him] and his ummah. In the Name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.'
Then he slaughtered.If one is incapable of slaughtering by oneself, he gives the animal to someone who is and he witnesses the slaughter.It is preferable (mustahab) for the one who is sacrificing to give the skin of the animal in charity. He may use it for himself, but he may not sell it or use it to pay the slaughterer with it.
We celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on the 10th of Zul- Hijja as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's (PBUH) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. God appeared in a dream to Ibrahim (PBUH) and told him to sacrifice his most beloved (son Isma'il). When his son was old enough to walk with him, Ibrahim said: "0 my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. Tell me what you think". He replied, "Father, do as you are bidden. Allah willing, you shall find me faithful" (Sura Al Saffat: 37.100-102). The father and his beloved son walked side by side. A young boy possessed forbearance and the old man (Prophet Ibrahim) was full of determination and spirit to complete submission to Allah. Their purpose was to carry out the orders of their God. Nothing else was dearer to them than the service to Allah.
The first House of Allah, the Ka'bah was erected by the Prophet Adam (PBUH). It was reconstructed by the Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and the Prophet Isma'il (PBUH) (Ref: Sura Al- Baqara: 2-125). The Muqam-e-Ibrahim is still outside the enclosure. It is a place of marble-like stone on which he stood to raise the walls of the sanctuary at Mecca. This stone contains the sunken imprints of the feet of the great Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH)). The Holy Qur'an testifies to the hallowed sanctity of this stone by declaring it to be one of the Signs of Allah. "Lord! Make this (Mecca) a land of safety. Preserve me and my descendants from worshipping idols. (Surah: Al-Ibrahim, 14:35).Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) lived for 175 years. His life was full of happenings, tests and trials. He had a firm faith in Allah. He never missed a moment's rest in calling for the message of Allah. He gained millions of believers. After death, Prophet Ibrahim was buried in Hebron, twenty miles south-west of Jerusalem.
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