The real spirit of sacrifice

Published in Young Nation  5 November 2011
http://issuu.com/youngnation/docs/young_nation_magazine_05_november_2011

                                  The real spirit of sacrifice

Allah has blessed us with two pearls of Eid, one is Eid-ul-Fitr which is also known as “Meethi Eid” (sweet Eid) and other is Eid-ul-Azha that is also known as “Bari Eid” (big Eid). Meethi Eid is the reward of the religious deeds that one has done in the month of Ramadan, where as Eid-ul-Azha has its own history. Muslim celebrates this occasion in the memory of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) and Hazrat Ismail (A.S). It revives the spirit of sacrifice in every soul because Eid-ul-Azha is the spirit of laying down your beloved thing in the way of God as Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) did. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) is Allah’s Prophet who was ordered to sacrifice His most beloved thing in the way of Allah to do so he decided to sacrifice His son Hazrat Ismail (A.S). When he was sacrificing His son suddenly a sheep came instead of Hazrat Ismail (A.S) and He slaughtered it. Being a Muslim, we follow His Sunnah without any ostentation.

According to the Islamic calendar, Muslim celebrates Eid-ul-Azha on 10 Zilhaj of every year, after completion the 5th pillar of Islam, Hajj (the annual pilgrimage). Muslims around the world, dressed in the same simple white cloth commonly known as “Ahraam”, regardless of their language, nationality, social status, color and race all of them stand in front of God and perform Hajj.

Eid is another name of happiness whether it’s Bari or Meethi Eid both of them brings joy in shape of parties. Following are the things that are especially associated with Eid-ul-Azha:

1. Sacrifice/ Qurbani:

Eid-ul-Azha is all about animals and their sacrifice. Kids are fond of Eid-ul-Azha as they keep waiting for this occasion whole year because this occasion brings animals at every house and if Mr. Camel has arrived to one house then the crowd of kids will keeping visiting the house everyday till the camel sacrificed. These animals include: cows, goats, sheeps, and camels. People sacrifice animals according to their capacity. This act should be pure and only to seek pleasure of God but ironically, people buy healthy, wealthy animals to display them.

2. Cattle market:

Cattle markets are another charm of this event. Markets to sell animals are use to settle in open areas usually on highways where animals from all over Pakistan brought for the holy purpose of sacrifice.

3. Sizzling BBQ parties:

BBQ is the most delicious, common and mouth watering dish of Eid-ul-Azha. Once the animal sacrificed, BBQ preparation starts. Marinating the meat with the spicy and sizzling desi masala (spices) for hours and taking it out at the time of party, threading the meat pieces in the spit and cooking them on the grills is another fun activity enjoyed by the whole family members.

4. Vermicelli and sheer khurma:

Eating Vermicelli, sheer khurma, any kind of some sweet or odd number of dates in short eat sweet food before going for Eid prayer is Sunnah of Mohammed (S.A.A.W). Vermicelli and sheer khurma is supposed to be of the most important dish in Eid’s breakfast.

5. Eidi:

Eidi is something that is the most favorite and important part of Eid for every Muslim. From kids to elders everyone loves to have eidi on Eid day. It’s cash money that is given to kids by elders as an Eid gift. On Eid day kids ask eidi from their grand parents and other relatives then they buy different things or do party from the money but some of them store it and save money.

6. Sweets:

Sweets are something that can’t be neglected. Eid without sweets is incomplete. The soft stuffed circles dipped into sugary water then coated with dry fruits and chopped coconut make a person’s mouth watered. Sweets are one of the prime element in Eid’s lunch and dinner. People present sweets to their relatives and guest when they visit their home on Eid day.

Eid-ul-Azha is all about the spirit of sacrificing the most beloved and precious thing in the way of Allah Almighty. It teaches us sharing as we share the meat with needy people. There are number of people who keep the meat in their freezer whole year instead of sharing it with the needy and only at the end of the year they offered the meat to the poor. This is a very wrong practice because Islam teaches us brotherhood. Mohammed (S.A.W.W) said "You will not be a believer until you love for your brother what you love for yourself" (Sahih Al-Bukhari). So on this Eid, along the distribution of meat with friends and neighbor remembers the needy. Eid Mubarak everyone :)