By Rehman Asif

Each year Muslims gather for the occasion that commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son on the command of Allah SWT. HazratIbrahim(AS) was eventually given a lamb to sacrifice instead.EidulAdha usually begins on the last day of the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.It is the second Islamic festival of the year, and follows EidulFitr which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Eid means recurring festival, the name of EidulAdha means the feast of sacrifice. EidulAdha is famous in local people with two names“Al EidulKbir” and “QurbaniwaliEid”. It is a major feast. It isdistinguished from EidulFitar, which is the minor feast comparative to this.

Animal sacrifice is a ritual of slaughtering animals as a part of religion. Ritual of sacrifice is not a new ritual. Human sacrifice was practiced in many ancient cultures. History witnessed many sacrifices when People were ritually killed in a manner that was supposed to please the deities as a present. The true offering to the gods was the human soul free from animal instincts that tend to dominate the mind. Stopping a person from becoming enlightened, killing the animal was killing the lower passion of soul. In the time when most people were illiterate, rituals were a way to tell a person how he or she should behave. Building rights and symbols were manuals to communicate something without the words.

Animal sacrifice had the purpose to inform people about the need to kill the inner animal in order to be worthy of blessing. In Muslim culture EidulAdha is a religious ritual in which Muslim practice the sacrifice of animals such as sheep, camel,goat, cow which has a symbolic value as well.The act symbolizes people willingness to give upthings that are of benefit to them are close to their hearts, in order to follow Allah’s command. It also symbolizes theirwillingness to give up some of their own plenteousness in order to strengthen ties of friendship and health for those who are needy. They recognize that all blessing come from Allah so they should open their hearts and share with others. It not only fortifies their beliefs but also a positive vibe stimulates the social standards to promote prosperity, affluence and poverty ridden society.

The message of Eid al-Adha is that one should scarifies his desires, ego, pride and joy for the bigger cause.Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.) proudly presented to sacrifice of his most beloved and dear son on the command of Allah Almighty.May Allah Almighty give us the wisdom to understand the true spirit of sacrificing our dearest thing for the sake of Allah and serve the Humanity.