Millions of Muslims in the United States will celebrate Eid al-Adha Monday, an important holy holiday when they spend time with loved ones, eating lamb and remembering their devotion to God.
Eid al-Adha, or the “festival of sacrifice” is the second most important Islamic holiday for Muslims, after Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, Mizra Yawar Baig, the imam of the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts, explained to MassLive. It comes on the final day of the Hajj or the pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam, and is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, Baig said.
Although some will observe Eid al-Adha on the June 17, others will start at sundown on June 16. The difference in dates depends on how Muslims interpret Islamic law, according to Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, the executive director and chief legal officer for the Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Baig observes Eid al-Adha on June 17. He said the holiday commemorates the willingness of the prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael at the command of God. But just before the sacrifice was carried out, God had substituted Ishmael with a lamb to kill instead.
“This was obviously, as you can see, a huge test of the obedience and loyalty of the prophet Abraham and his son,” Baig said.
“This is to commemorate and remind us as Muslims that our primary and whelming allegiance is first and foremost to our creator, to the one who created us, who we worship and therefore who we must obey,” he added.
On Monday, Muslims will attend their local masjid or mosque where a special prayer called Salat al-Eid is performed, according to Islamic-relief.org. Salat al-Eid consists of two units, or rakats, of prayer. The prayer is also accompanied by extra takbirs, which is saying “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is the greatest.”
On Eid al-Adha, those who have made the pilgrimage to Mecca also reenact Abraham’s rejection of Satan’s temptation, according to The Conversation US. Muslims throw stones at a pillar that represents the devil.
During Eid al-Adha, it’s also common for Muslims who can afford it to sacrifice a sheep or a goat to eat, according to Baig. The meat is cut into three parts, with the first two going to family and friends and the last going to charity.
In the Quran, the Islamic holy book, charity is an important value.
“Believe in Allah and his messenger, and give charity out of the (substance) that Allah has made you heirs of. For those of you who believe and give charity – for them is a great reward,” the scripture reads.
Baig emphasized the importance of giving charity during Eid, as it might be the only occasion for some to enjoy meat.
“There are countries, like India for example, where some people will eat meat only one day in the whole year and that is on the day of Eid al-Adha because they go to the houses of Muslims who are sacrificing and they are given meat as a gift,” Baig said. “That is the only day that they’re able to afford to eat meat because of how expensive it is.”
The holiday is followed by a two-day festival where Muslims spend time with their relatives, friends and loved ones, Baig said.
