Hajj and Eid-al-Adha Prepared by Nasirat Team USA
Hajj in the Holy Quran “And proclaim unto mankind the Pilgrimage. They will come to thee on foot, and on every lean camel, coming by every distant track,” (Surah Al -Hajj, verse 28) “And remember the time when We made the House a resort for mankind and a place of security; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of Prayer. And We commanded Abraham and Ishmael, saying , ‘Purify My House for those who perform the circuit and those who remain therein for devotion and those who bow down and fall prostrate in Prayer .’” (Surah Al -Baqarah, verse 126)
The Essence of Hajj The performance of pilgrimage is a mode of worship that allows for the ● spiritual, social, and economic uplifting of Muslims During Hajj, a person leaves home and undergoes separation from ● friends and relatives for the sake of Allah Hajj serves as a symbol of respect for the sacred places of Allah that had ● been frequently visited by the Holy Prophet (saw) Visiting these holy places results in the spiritual elevation of the pilgrim ● The bond among Muslims is also strengthened as pilgrims from all over ● the world gather and are unified in spirituality
History of Hajj Muslims believe that Hazrat Ibrahim (as) was commanded by Allah to leave his ● wife Hazrat Hajra (as) and their infant son Hazrat Ishmael (as) in the desert that is now Mecca ● When Ishmael (as) became thirsty, he began to cry Hajra (as) ran between the two hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, looking for ● help from any possible travelers that might pass by, but to no avail Ishmael (as), who had been lying on the ground, kicked at the ground with his ● heels, and a miraculous spring rose up This water continues to run to today from the Well of Zam-zam ●
History of Hajj: The Kaaba ● The Kaaba is the House of Allah, and is the symbol of unity for mankind The word “Kaaba” is mentioned in the Holy Quran: ● “Allah has made the Kaaba, the Sacred House, a means of support and uplift for mankind…” (Surah Al -Maidah, verse 98) The Kaaba is called “The Ancient House” in Surah Al -Hajj, verse 30 ● It was rebuilt by Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Ishmael (as) under the divine ● guidance of Allah
When does Eid-al-Adha take place? ● Eid-al-Adha takes place about 10 weeks after Eid-al-Fitr, on the 10th of the month of Dhul-Hajj ● This marks the completion of Hajj (holy pilgrimage to Mecca).
Why do we celebrate Eid-al-Adha? Eid-al-Adha commemorates the obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and his son, Hazrat Ishmael (as), to Allah
In the Holy Quran, Allah states... “And when he was old enough to work with him, he said, ‘O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering thee. So consider, what thou thinkest of it !’ He replied, ‘O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if Allah please, of those who are patient.’” “And when they both submitted to the Will of God , and he had thrown him down on his forehead,” “We called to him: ‘O Abraham,” “‘Thou hast indeed fulfilled the dream.’ Thus indeed do We reward those who do good.” “That surely was a manifest trial.” “And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (Surah As-Saffat, 103-108)
The Story and Significance of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Ishmael (as) ’s Sacrifice ● Hazrat Ibrahim (as) had seen in a dream that he had offered Hazrat Ishmael (as) as a sacrifice to Allah ● Hazrat Ishmael (as) was very dear to Hazrat Ibrahim (as) as he did not have a son until he was 86 years old ● However, Ishmael (as) was steadfast and told his father that he should do as Allah commanded ● They submitted, and before Hazrat Ishmael (as) was sacrificed, Allah stopped them as they had fulfilled their commandment ● Allah accepted their devotion and obedience, and directed that a lamb be sacrificed instead of Hazrat Ishmael (as) ● This demonstrates the importance of devotion and obedience one must have to Allah, and be ready to sacrifice what is precious to a person in the way of Allah
Comparison with Christianity A similar story exists in Christianity, but Christians believe that it was Isaac (as) ● that was sacrificed by Ibrahim (as) rather than Ishmael (as) This can be seen in the Bible: ● After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you…” (Genesis 22:1) An angel stopped Ibrahim (as) from sacrificing Isaac (as), and they sacrificed a ● ram instead However, Isaac (as) cannot be Ibrahim (as)’s only son, as Ishmael (as) was born ● before Isaac (as) ● There is also no celebration or tradition in Christianity regarding the incident.
How is Eid-al-Adha celebrated? ● During Eid-al-Adha, Muslims follow the example of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and sacrifice animals in commemoration of his and Hazrat Ishmael (as) ’s obedience to Allah. ● The person offering sacrifice does not eat until after the animal is sacrificed ● The meat is meant to be shared and given to family, friends, neighbors and especially to the poor ● The person offering the sacrifice of the animal recites the following: ۡ لُقۡ نِاۡ یِتَلَُصَۡوۡ یِکُسُنَۡوَۡیاَی حَمَۡوۡ یِتاَمَمِِٰۡلِمِّۡبَرَۡن یِمَلٰع لا “Say my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are for the sake of Allah, Lord of all the worlds,” (Surah Al -Anam, verse 163)
How is Eid-al-Adha celebrated? ● Like during Eid-al-Fitr, Muslims rise early in the morning to bathe, put on their best clothes, and go to the Masjid ● Muslims also join in congregational two Rak’at prayer at the Masjid before noon ● After the two Rak’at, the Imam and the congregation recite the following words glorifying Allah in an audible voice: Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest. There is none worthy of worship except Allah; Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and all Praise belongs to Him. ● From Fajr Prayer on the 9th Dhul-Hajj till the ‘Asr prayer of the 13th of Dhul-Hajj , the above verses are recited after each congregational Fard Prayer service. ● Note: It was the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) to recite the verses above while going to the Eid congregational prayer and while coming back ● The Imam also gives a sermon regarding the importance of Eid-al-Adha
Conclusion In remembering the sacrifices made by Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Ishmael (as) as acts of devotion to Allah, may we become enabled to follow in their footsteps. Ameen.
Sources “Eid -ul-Fitr and Eid-al- Adha”: https://www.alislam.org/eid/ “Sacrifice -The Central Theme of Eid-al- Adha”: https://www.alislam.org/v/2278.html “Muslim Festivals and Ceremonies”: https://www.alislam.org/library/books/MuslimFestivalsCeremonies.pdf “Eid -al-Azha ”: https://www.alislam.org/articles/eid-ul-azha/ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+22%3A1-19&version=ESV “The Ka’bah - House of Allah”: http://www.alislam.org/library/links/00000212.html
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