We all welcome Eidul-Adha by the entrance of the month of Zul-Hijjah, the 12th month in our lunar calendar. And between the 1st and the 13th of Zul-Hijjah, so many great things happen in relation to our moments of worship towards Allah (ﷻ).
The honorable ten days (1st to 10th) are the ones that Allah (ﷻ) spoke about in Surah (Al-Fajr), where Allah (ﷻ) said: {By the dawn * And [by] ten nights} 89:1/2, scholars say that this is a reference to the ten days of Zul-Hijjah in which acts of worship are much honored by Allah (ﷻ). The prophet (ﷺ) said: “There are no days in which a good deed is more pleasing to God than these ten days.” On being asked whether not even jihad in God’s path were as pleasing, he replied, “Not even jihad in God’s path, except when a man goes out in person with his property and loses both life and property.”[1]
In these ten days, scholars say that you can engage in all different types of worship like fasting, extra Nafelah prayers, reading the Quran Al-Zikr and much more.
Muslims are urged to fast the 9th of Zul-Hijjah (Arafah Day). The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Fast the Day of Arafah, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins) of the year after it, and the year before it.”[2]
On the 10th of Zul-Hijjah, which is the Day of Eidul-Adha, Muslims are urged to offer a sacrifice (Udhia), as it is the Sunnah after they finish Eid prayer. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “On the day of sacrifice no one does a deed more pleasing to God than the shedding of blood. The sacrifice will come on the day of resurrection with its horns, its hairs and its hoofs, and the blood finds acceptance with God before it falls on the ground, so be glad about it.”[3]
But there are more matters of Eid to be engaged with and celebrated as the gift of guidance is granted from Allah to us.
Muslims are urged to participate in Takbeer or saying (Allah Akbar) as many times as they can during these honorable days. Scholars speak about the open and the restricted Takbeer. The open one can be uttered at any time by people all these days regardless of time. The restricted one is that which people say after each salat starting from the Fajr Salat of Arafah day till Asr salah at the last day of Tashreeq which is the 13th of Zul-Hijjah. The most famous format of Takbeer is this one; (الله أكبر، الله أكبر، لا إله إلا الله، الله أكبر، الله أكبر، ولله الحمد).
Performing Eidul-Adha prayer comes with lots of manners (آداب) all related to the Sunnah. If you plan to offer a sacrifice, you must do it after the prayer, and it is preferred that you do not eat until you pray first. You should wear your best clothes and show joy and happiness. Visitations are very honorable in general but during Eid, indeed it is memorable and beautiful. Lots of families have cultural practices of visiting parents, or siblings or family in general. All this falls under the concept of being rewarded by visiting people for the sake of Allah. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah, the Exalted, says: My love is due to those who love one another for My sake, meet one another for My sake, visit one another for My sake and spend in charity for My sake.”[4]
As the story of Hajj and Eidul-Adha came out because of the family of prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismai’el and our mother Hajar, we should always care about our families and do the best for them as we can.
Let us all remember to protect ourselves and our families from all harm and help them be the best of servants to Allah (ﷻ) and pray for their safety and wellness, Ameen.
Eid Mubarak to all!
كل عام وأنتم بخير وتقبل الله طاعاتكم
By Imam Kifah Mustapha