Arab Culture Values
To Ahmed, thank you a lot for showing us the meaning of Eid Al-Adha and for sharing this special gift. We feel privileged to be part of this wonderful tradition.
It is better to give than to receive, but in my experience last Eid Al- Adha celebration (September 13, 2016), when one of our local Saudi friend strong-willed gave part of their family sacrificial meat to us as a representation of friendship, the feeling of receiving something is way better and really rightly affects me as one person in a manner of making friends that I considered in philosophy as trusting of new people which is very important for us as an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia. So, much as I try to give back the gratitude and acknowledging what I received for this matter, I decided to write this quick blog, a blog that will tackle the meaning of this Eid al-Adha tradition, tradition that does not only a symbol of Islam but a tradition with pure heart and love. So here it is.
Portion of the sacrificial meat.
Meaning
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days until the 13th day. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year. Eid al-Adha is the latter of the two Eid holidays, the former being Eid al-Fitr. The word Eid appears once in Al-Ma'ida, the fifth sura of the Quran, with the meaning "solemn festival" and Adha means sacrifice. Eid al-Adha enjoys special significance because the Day of Sacrifice marks the climax of Hajj or Pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam. This annual pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia is an obligation only for those men and women who are physically and financially able to perform it once in their lifetime.
Tradition
Feast of Sacrifice or sacrificing their best halal domestic animals (usually a cow, but can also be a camel, goat, sheep, or ram) in an act known asqurbani. This symbolizes Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only son, however, at the last moment, Allah tells Ibrahim to spare the child and sacrifice something else instead. And this is what Abraham ultimately sacrificed.
The meat from the sacrificed animal is preferred to be divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends, and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy. The meat is distributed during the days of the holiday or shortly thereafter. Muslims around the world observe this event. During the celebration, Muslims are also expected to visit their kin, from their parents down to their friends.
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days until the 13th day. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year. Eid al-Adha is the latter of the two Eid holidays, the former being Eid al-Fitr. The word Eid appears once in Al-Ma'ida, the fifth sura of the Quran, with the meaning "solemn festival" and Adha means sacrifice. Eid al-Adha enjoys special significance because the Day of Sacrifice marks the climax of Hajj or Pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam. This annual pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia is an obligation only for those men and women who are physically and financially able to perform it once in their lifetime.
Tradition
Feast of Sacrifice or sacrificing their best halal domestic animals (usually a cow, but can also be a camel, goat, sheep, or ram) in an act known asqurbani. This symbolizes Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only son, however, at the last moment, Allah tells Ibrahim to spare the child and sacrifice something else instead. And this is what Abraham ultimately sacrificed.
The meat from the sacrificed animal is preferred to be divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends, and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy. The meat is distributed during the days of the holiday or shortly thereafter. Muslims around the world observe this event. During the celebration, Muslims are also expected to visit their kin, from their parents down to their friends.
