Author Topic: the most famous Muslim Festivals around the year .. (Read 848 times)

khurram · « **on:** December 04, 2010, 03:45:06 AM »

the most famous Muslim Festivals around the year ..

khurram · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:45:40 AM »

Id Ul Fitr

Most non-Muslim Indians know little about this celebrated Mohammedan festival. What they do know is that if they were lucky, or if they were to work for the Government, Id would mean yet red number on the calendar. Read on to learn more about this holy festival.

What is Ramzan?

Ramzan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. According to legend, the Holy Koran was revealed in this month. Ramzan is thus regarded as highly auspicious and this month is marked by fasting and prayers. Muslims keep a fast every day during Ramzan. The rituals associated with Id and Ramzan have remained unchanged for centuries.

Often, after the afternoon prayer at the mosque, religious lectures are held here. Prayer services are also held here each night during the month of Ramzan. A small portion of the Koran is read during each service, so that the entire book is complete by the end of the month.

Ramzan is similar to Lent, in the sense that it is a period of abstinence and self restraint. It also entails fasting from dawn to dusk, and every Muslim, except those who are unwell, too old, or unable to fast due to other health or circumstantial reasons such as travel, pregnancy or nursing, keeps the fast. So does that mean no eating for a month? No. It does however mean no food, drink or tobacco from dawn to dusk during this period. Children who have not yet attained puberty are not expected to fast, but many parents like to make older children around the age of eight fast for a few hours a day during this period, just so they get accustomed to the rituals of self-restraint and build up their will power, so it is easier for them to fast later on.

What is the reason for fasting during this time?

The Prophet Mohammed left Mecca and undertook the journey to Medina in 622 AD, to join the other Muslims who had migrated to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca. During this period, he fasted for three days. Many years later, He was to receive a revelation from God, which stated that all followers of the Islam faith fasted for a certain number of days. "Ramadan is the month of Ramadan should spend it fasting..." (Chapter 2, Verse 183 and 185). Fasting also purports to reduce the barriers between the rich and the poor, by creating an understanding of the sufferings the poor undergo.

What is the connection between Id and Ramzan?

Id Ul Fitr is a festival that marks the end of the Ramzan period, and usually falls on a new moon night, in the month of April or May. On this day, Muslims gather in large groups at mosques, and offer their prayers or namaz. Id is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim religion. On this day, Muslims from around the world dress up in new clothes to celebrate Id with great enthusiasm. Id celebrates the breaking of the Ramzan fast, which is why the word Fitr, which means 'to break'. People greet each other with the words "Id Mubarak", and embrace three times. Women prepare delicious sweetmeats at home, and vermicelli kheer (sweetened milk) is a popular dish. Muslims also pay tribute to their ancestors during this time.

khurram · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:46:22 AM »

Muharram

The first month in the Islamic calendar

Contrary to popular belief, Muharram is not a particular day, but the name of a month that marks the beginning of the year according to the Islamic calendar. Muharram is one of four months that have been designated as holy according to the Islamic calendar, the other three being - Dhul-Qa'adah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rajab.

Fasting in the month of Muharram

Fasting is advocated in the month of Muharram. The Prophet is believed to have said: "The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram." Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. Fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura, is particularly important, as it supposed to lead to great rewards. A person does not have to fast for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit.

Here are some activities that are recommended for the day of Ashurah:

1. To observe fast on this day.
2. To give as much charity as you can afford.
3. To perform Nafl Salat prayers.
4. To recite Surah Ikhlas 1000 times.
5. To visit and be in the company of pious Ulema.
6. To place a hand of affection on an orphan's head.
7. To give generously to one's relatives.
8. To put surma in one's eyes.
9. To take a bath.
10. To cut one's nails.
11. To visit the sick.
12. To establish friendly ties with one's enemies.
13. To recite Dua-e- Ashurah
14. To visit the shrines of Awliyas and the graves of Muslims.

khurram · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:48:47 AM »

Ramzan

Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Read about why this time is so important to Muslims.

Ramzan or Ramadan, is a period of fasting for Muslims. The name is derived from the name of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The word Ramadan literally means burnt ground or intense heat. This month is considered to be the most holy month of the year in Islam. All followers of Islam are urged to follow the basic rules of fasting, prayer, charity, etc. during this month.

The month of Ramzan is further divided into three parts, consisting of ten days each. Each ten day period is referred to as 'ashra', which is the Arabic word for ten. These three parts are the Rahmah (God's mercy), Maghfirah (God's forgiveness), and Najah (salvation). The period of Ramzan ends with the celebrations on the feast day of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Origins of Fasting during Ramzan

It is believed that God's teachings to the prophet Muhammad took place during the month of Ramzan in the year 610 A.D. These teachings were eventually compiled together and became the Quran, which is the holy book of Islam. As per verse 183 in the second chapter of the Quran, fasting is compulsory. The verse reads as 'O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self restraint.'

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. A month is considered to have begun from the time when the initial crescent of a new moon is seen. However, a lunar calendar is shorter than the regular solar calendar year of 365 days. The lunar calendar falls short by around eleven or twelve days each year. Due to this discrepancy between the two calendars, the month of Ramzan is advanced by around eleven days each year. This means that the average Muslim will have to fast in both the winter and summer months during the course of his lifetime. This ensures that the hardships faced while fasting are experienced equally by Muslims living in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Significance of Fasting

The holy month of Ramzan is said to offer all Muslims the opportunity to reform themselves and achieve spiritual communion with God. Human beings tend to lose touch with their spiritual selves as they go about their lives. To bring them back to God, Islam prescribes an annual 'roza' or 'siyam', which must be undertaken during the month of Ramzan. This is along the lines of a workshop conducted to refresh a person's religious beliefs as well as inculcate a sense of discipline with respect to temptation by material items.

'Siyam' literally means to refrain from. When applied in the context of Ramzan, it refers to cultivating the capacity for self restraint. Fasting is not only limited to food during Ramzan. Muslims are expected to abstain from food, drink, and sexual activities during the fasting period each day for the entire month of Ramzan. These restrictions are self imposed in order for people to first practice self-control when it comes to minor issues. This in turn helps them to resist greater temptations that they will encounter later on in their lives.

How Fasting helps

Prophet Muhammad declared that "fasting is not only abstinence from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene acts." As per this statement, it implies that one should have complete control over one's physical and mental facilities. Thus, an individual must keep a check over the actions of his eyes, ears, tongue, hands, and heart. This will ensure that he does not lose control at any time and cause the peaceful nature of society to be disturbed. The period of Ramzan also encourages the promotion of harmony among members of the society. Residing in tranquillity with the neighbouring inhabitants is considered to be one of the best forms of charity that a person can do. This holy month prevents Muslims from participating in any aggressive acts. In fact, people are exhorted to repent and seek forgiveness from those that they have wronged earlier. Ramzan is the time for fostering the spirit of unity among all members of a community.

khurram · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:49:15 AM »

Preparing Oneself for Ramzan

Ramzan is a time for coming closer to God. Understand what an individual must keep in mind before this month begins.

When someone decides to go on a trip, the first thing he does is make preparations. This includes booking tickets, making room reservations, planning an itinerary, etc. Similarly, Ramzan can be looked upon as a journey to God. In preparation for this journey, one must prepare himself both physically and spiritually. In his journey to meet God, he will come across many hurdles, which will obstruct him. He must anticipate these obstacles as best as he can. This way, he can take the proper precautions.

The Right Attitude

Ramzan is the most holy month of the year according to the Islamic calendar. A Muslim must welcome the arrival of Ramzan. He should be glad that he is being presented with the opportunity to display his devotion to the Lord. Ramzan should not be looked upon as a time of sacrifice and hardship. In fact, it is a time to let go of our earthly wants and strive to achieve a greater level of spirituality.

Getting 'into the mood' is not difficult to achieve. A person can start by listening to some hymns or reading the Quran, for a short while each day before the month of Ramzan begins. As an added practice, he should reduce the amount of time he spends watching television and engaging in other non-religious activity.

Adjusting his Schedule

During Ramzan, an individual has to be more dedicated to God than at other times of the year. He must show his devotion to God by praying more often. To make this possible, a person will generally try to work less hours. If this is not a feasible solution, he might ask his workplace for a flexible work schedule during this month. Besides work, an individual would also have to rearrange his daily schedule so that it does not interfere with his prayer time.

Rearranging a schedule can be done in a variety of ways. Grocery shopping for most non-perishable provisions can be done before Ramzan begins. This way, a person need not spend time rushing around to purchase something during Ramzan, except for some food items. This will also prevent his focus from shifting to less important tasks.

During Ramzan, an individual must arise before dawn in order to pray. One should start adjusting his sleeping hours accordingly. It is recommended that this be started well before Ramzan so that a person does not have difficulty waking up early when he actually has to.

Preparing the Family

While all adult Muslims fast during Ramzan, children have their role to play too. Children do their bit for the home to help their parents during this time. It could involve anything from writing shopping lists and helping in the preparation of meals to setting the table before Iftar and clearing away the dishes after the meal is finished.

Preparing meals during Ramzan can be accomplished quickly, with a little careful planning. Vegetables may be cut and stored in the refrigerator well in advance. Cutting them beforehand saves time while cooking while storing them under cool conditions ensures that the cut vegetables retain their freshness. Dates are usually eaten to break the fast. The pits of the dates can be removed before Ramzan and the seedless dates stored, so that they do not get spoilt.

Ramzan is a time of prayer and fasting. However, this does not mean that other aspects of life are neglected. An adult should ensure that children do not use Ramzan as an excuse to not complete homework or other assignments. Have children complete their tasks early, so that they can still be a part of the prayers.

Helping Others

Ramzan is the time for showing devotion to the Lord. An important aspect of Ramzan is 'Zakat' or donating a part of one's earnings to help the less fortunate. In addition to money, an individual is also expected to be of service to his fellowmen. He should begin by seeing to the needs of his family members. He should also keep a check over his own actions and words, so that he does not go against the Lord's wishes.

khurram · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:49:38 AM »

Fasting During Ramzan

Ramzan is a time for fast and abstinence among Muslims. Read on to know more about this practice.

Ramzan is the ninth month as per the lunar calendar of Islam. It is a holy period for followers of Islam. This month is marked by abstaining from food, drink and sexual activity from dawn till dusk each day. Although fasting is carried out to enable a person to become closer to God, it also teaches self restraint as well as discipline.

Why Fasting is Important

Islam has five pillars namely, declaring one's faith, daily prayers, doing charity, the pilgrimage to Mecca, and fasting. Fasting involves surrendering to the Lord's commands and seeking his forgiveness for all the sins an individual has committed and the mistakes he has made.

Fasting should be undertaken because of a person's love for God and a genuine desire to please him. It should be practiced honestly and with some measure of dedication. Only then will an individual achieve the spiritual elevation that is required to enter into communion with God. According to the prophet Muhammad, fasting is an obligation and failure to keep this obligation amounts to a lack of belief. Furthermore, under the Islamic or Shariah law, a person who willingly abstains from fasting without a proper reason has committed a grave sin against God.

What it Involves

Every healthy and able-bodied adult Muslim of sound mind is expected to fast during the month of Ramzan. This fasting period is from dawn (about an hour and a half before sunrise) to dusk (after the sun sets). Fasting should be done everyday for the duration of the entire month.

People Exempt from Fasting

Islam makes provisions for those who are unable to fast as well as exempts certain people from having to follow this ritual. A child who has not yet attained puberty is exempt from fasting. However, parents may choose to make their child fast for a certain number of hours each day in order to prepare him for a full day's fasting later on. An individual who is insane is also exempt from fasting since such a person cannot be held accountable for his actions.

A person who is elderly is not expected to fast, in deference to his age. However, he is expected to compensate for this by giving a poor or needy Muslim person one square meal. This must be done for each day of Ramzan. An individual who is ill and whose health will be severely affected if he fasts is also given some leeway during Ramzan. In return, he is expected to fast later when he is well. This fasting is only to make up for the days that he missed due to his illness.

A woman who is pregnant or one who is lactating is also allowed a temporary exemption from fasting. A woman is also allowed a ten day grace period if she is menstruating. In all these cases, the days of fasting that were missed during Ramzan must be made up for later on.

Fasting Process

An individual is allowed to consume one small meal before the fasting period each day. This meal is referred to as 'suhoor' and it acts as a blessing. It is not essential to follow this custom but it is recommended that a person does so. Consumption of all food and drink must cease at least five to ten minutes before dawn.

An individual must declare his intention to fast on each day, before the actual commencement of the fast. This action is called as 'Niyyah', and is usually worded as 'I intend to fast today'. If a person forgets to declare his intention to fast on a particular day, he is still allowed to do so as long as it is before noon. If no intention is declared by noon, then the fast for that day will be declared invalid.

The act of ending a fast, after sunset, is termed as 'Iftar'. Generally, a fast is broken by consuming a light snack consisting of dry fruits, and some liquid, preferably in the form of water, milk, or juice. Prior to breaking a fast, the following prayer is said to the Lord; "Oh Allah! I fasted for your sake and I am breaking my fast from the sustenance. You blessed me with, accept it from me."

In exceptional cases, a person is allowed to break his fast such as when there is any danger to his health. However, he should make up for this lapse whenever he is able.

khurram · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:50:31 AM »

Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr is an important night for Muslims during Ramzan. Read on to understand its significance.

Ramzan or Ramadan is the most holy month of the year in Islam. During this month, all adult Muslims fast from dawn till dusk, on a daily basis. Every earning Muslim is also expected to contribute two and a half percent of his earnings as 'Zakat'. This is to empower his less fortunate brethren. However, not many people know about the 'Laylat al-Qadr', which is considered to be the most important night of the year for all Muslims.

What is Laylat al-Qadr?

Laylat al-Qadr is sometimes also referred to as 'Shab e-Qadr'. The term literally translates as the 'Night of measures' or the 'Night of decree'. Many people also believe that it translates as 'Night of power' but this translation is somewhat erroneous.

Laylat al-Qadr is celebrated as the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the prophet Muhammad. It is also believed that this was the night when the Quran descended to the earth, from heaven. Muslims belonging to the Shia sect place a further emphasis on this night. For them, this night is also the night which will determine the depth of their faith in the following year. They pray throughout the night, seeking salvation and mercy from God. This ritual is called 'Ehyaa', which literally means 'to revive'.

What is the significance of this night?

Laylat al-Qadr has been described in the Quran as follows; 'We have indeed revealed this in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand. Peace! This until the rise of morn!'

Although Laylat al-Qadr is only one night, it is deemed to be the most important night of the year in Islam. If one is truly devoted to God, and displays his devotion, honestly, on this night, then he will be rewarded handsomely. This reward is said to be so great that it surpasses the reward he would have achieved if he had shown his devotion to God for a thousand months.

The actual nature or value of this reward is not known. It is said to be known only by God as only he can decide how sincere is the devotion of an individual. The line that says this devotion is better than that for a thousand months is in reference to the average human lifespan of about eighty three years and four months. Thus, Laylat al-Qadr is said to be the most important night in a Muslim individual's entire lifetime.

When is it?

Laylat al-Qadr falls in the last ten day part of Ramzan. This period is called Najah, which means salvation. The exact day of Laylat al-Qadr is not known to anyone. However, it is thought to be one of the odd-numbered days during Najah. Sunni Muslims consider it to be the 21st, 23rd, 25th, or 29th day in Ramzan. Shia Muslims believe this night falls on the 19th, 21st, or 23rd day of the month. In practice, Shia Muslims celebrate this occurrence on the 23rd night of Ramzan while Sunni Muslims choose the 27th night. However, all odd numbered days in the last ten days of Ramzan are considered sacred. Every Muslim is expected to treat each night as Laylat al-Qadr as a precautionary measure.

How is Laylat al-Qadr observed?

The Laylat al-Qadr is meant to be the night on which a Muslim shows the greatest devotion possible, to God. In this regard, a Muslim is expected to pray earnestly, right from the beginning of the day. The night prayers are the most important on this day. Muslims pray to the Lord, asking for his blessings and also in the hope that all their wishes will be granted by God.

If possible, an individual will spend the entire ten day period within the mosque. This is called 'Itikaf' or retreat. He will fast and perform the five daily prayers. In addition to these obligations, he will also devote himself to studying the Quran as well as performing charitable works.

khurram · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:51:02 AM »

The Practice of Zakat

Zakat is the Islamic practice of doing charity. Learn more about what it means.

Every Muslim has five duties that he must perform compulsorily. These include the declaration of faith, daily prayers, giving of alms, pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, and fasting during the month of Ramzan. The practice of giving alms to the needy is termed as 'Zakat'.

What is zakat?

Zakat is derived from the word 'Zakaa' which means to purify, increase, and bless. It is believed that when a person gives away a part of his wealth to a needy Muslim, his wealth will continue to grow. This is because he receives the blessings of both God and the person he has helped. Zakat is practiced as a means of achieving social justice among the Muslim community by distributing the wealth of the rich among the less fortunate.

Zakat is also believed to be a stepping stone to heaven. This is written in the Quran in verses three and four of chapter eight as "Who establishes worship and spend of that we have bestowed upon them, these are the true believers. For them are grades of honor with their Lord, and forgiveness, and a beautiful provision."

What is its significance?

Zakat is not a gift. It is an obligation to be performed by every Muslim who falls in the category of being able to give some of his wealth. Zakat is believed to purify the human soul and protect it from the sin of greed. It is human nature to be stingy and try to hoard wealth. Zakat encourages an individual to part with some amount of his wealth, for charitable purposes. By doing so, he overcomes his hoarding instincts and becomes noble in God's eyes.

Zakat is an excellent way of doing charity. When an individual pays zakat, he is helping his less fortunate brethren. This promotes peace and harmony among the rich and the poor since the poor are thankful for the generosity of the rich. As per the Quran, the Lord places great significance on the donation of wealth to benefit those who are in need.

Zakat also promotes social justice in society. It encourages the distribution of wealth between the haves and have-nots. It has the added benefit of fostering the spirit of brotherhood among the members of a community since people get a sense of being in a family. According to the Quran, this is akin to the discomfort that the entire body feels even when a single part is hurt.

The paying of zakat is also believed to cleanse a person's sins. The Lord bestows his mercy on those who demonstrate that they care for others. Zakat acts as a form of social security for the poor and protects them against utter poverty. It makes an individual feel good about himself since he learns to appreciate his place in society. He also experiences the joy of conquering his demons like greed, temptation etc. Zakat also motivates a person to make a larger effort in his work and ensures that he remains loyal to his community.

Who can receive zakat?

Zakat can only be given to a person if they come under one of the prescribed categories. The first category is the 'masakeen' or those who live in utter poverty. These people are dependent on the generosity of others even for their basic needs. The second category is the 'fuqaraa' or the poor. Although these people have some money, it is still not enough for them to live on.

Zakat money is also used to pay the 'salaries' of those people engaged in the task of collecting zakat. These people collect the Zakat, keep an account of the amount collected and are also responsible for overseeing its distribution. Zakat may also be distributed to those involved in the cause of spreading Islam. An individual is also entitled to receive Zakat if he has taken a loan but does not have enough finances to both repay his loan and provide for the basic needs of his family.

Zakat can be paid to a traveller, who is stranded in a foreign land and has no means of reaching his home. This is allowed only if the purpose of travel is deemed to be lawful. Zakat is also to be used to free captives of slavery. Although slavery does not exist nowadays, it can be used to free a poor labourer from his greedy and corrupt masters. This may be in the form of providing some training, buying machinery, or helping a person to start a small scale business.

Zakat can also be paid to a newly converted Muslim who is facing persecution for his beliefs. This is usually when a person is ostracised by his family and loses his source of income.

khurram · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:51:41 AM »

Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi

Allahuma salli ala Muhammadin wa - ala - Ale Muhammad

O God! Shower thy blessings on Muhammad and the descendents of Muhammad

Eid-e-Milad is here and its time to celebrate. It is time to remember the teachings of the Prophet and follow the mission the Prophet dedicated all his life to.

Eid-e-Milad is celebrated in the memory of Prophet Muhammed. The Holy Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal in 570 C.E Saudi Arabia, Mecca. Rabi-ul-Awwal is the third month of the Muslim year. Eid-e-Milad is both, a time to rejoice and a time to mourn, since the Prophet passed away on the same day.

The tradition of celebrating the Holy Prophet's birthday on a large scale began in Egypt by the Prophet's descendants, through his daughter Fatima. It was celebrated mainly by religious scholars and religious establishments. They gathered to hear sermons, distributed sweets, alms and particularly honey, the Prophet's favourite.

Maulid

Eid-e-Milad is also called Maulid, since it is Prophet Muhammed's Eid and the song sung in praise of the Prophet's birth is called a Maulud. From the Middle Ages, it was believed that, listening to the recitation of Maulud has not only worldly but heavenly rewards too.

Barah Wafat

This festival is also referred to as, 'Barah Wafat' which stands for the twelve days of sickness of the Prophet, before he passed away. The day is for both mourning and celebrating. The Sunni sect and the Shia sect have a different take on the ways of celebrating of this day.

Celebrations by Shia Muslims

Shia Muslims celebrate this day to remember that Prophet Muhammed chose Hazrat Ali as his successor at Gadhir-e-Khumm. This occasion symbolises the Habillah (the chain of imamat or the next leader). Eid-e-Milad and Eid-al-Gadhir are two names for marking the same day, for two different reasons.

Eid-e-Milad or Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi - This name is used to mark the Prophet's birth and death anniversary.

Eid-al-Gadhir - This name is used to mark the handing over of the spiritual rein to Hazrat Ali at Gadhir-e-Khumm. (The route between Syria and Yemen)

On this day, believers gather to recite special prayers for thanksgiving to Allah for his favours and sending Prophet Muhammed to the world, with his message to guide the people. People attend lectures and recitations on the Life and Instructions of the Holy Prophet. Poetry or Naats are recited after prayers and sweets are distributed amongst the poor.

Shia Muslims also mourn on this day as it is also the day when the Holy Prophet passed away.

Bohra Muslims, a part of the Shia sect, too celebrate the twelve days of Rabi-ul-Awwal with prayers and by listening to recitals. Prayers are conducted in mosques for all twelve days. Many Bohras perform Zyarat (a form of prayer that is performed as a meeting with the one you are praying to).

Celebrations by Sunni Muslims

Prayers are held throughout the month. On the twelfth day of the month Muslims remember the Holy Prophet and his teachings. Mourning on this day is not practiced at all because according the Sunni Muslims believe that mourning for the dead beyond three days hurts the departed soul.

In India, people carry out processions chanting praises of the Holy Prophet and Imam Hazrat Ali. These processions are decorated with fruits, flowers or even scenes depicting religious sites, episodes and figures. The sweet dish 'Kheer' (sweet porridge made of rice) is prepared as a tradition in Muslim homes.

Whereas in Saudi Arabia prayers are held, sweets are prepared and the Prophet is remembered through his words.

The 'Urs' or 'Sandal'

This ceremony, performed in some parts of India, is nothing but a procession. The Prophet's symbolic representation is placed in a glass casket and carried out as a procession.

The symbolic footprints of the Holy Prophet engraved in stone, a representation of the buraq and the horse, which are believed to have ascended to the heaven with the Prophet, are kept near the footprints and anointed with sandal paste. The glass casket is elaborately decorated. Marsiyas and elegies are sung while the procession is carrying on. This ceremony is the 'Urs' or 'Sandal'

The religion of Islam celebrates three different Eids, Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid), Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakri Eid) and Eid-e-Milad (Prophet Muhammed's Birthday). All these stand for different occasions. Muharram is the Islamic New Year, it is not a time for merry-making and celebration but a time to remember the sacrifices of the holy ones.

khurram · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2010, 03:52:22 AM »

Significance of Bakri Eid/Bakra Eid

Read an interesting story about Bakri Eid (also referred as Eid-Ul-Azha, Eid-Ul-Zuha or Bakr-Idd), a grand celebration for Muslims.

There are many religions in India. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism are some of the major religions in India. People of these religions celebrate their festivals colourfully. Muslim festivals like Ramzan and Bakri Eid are celebrated with great will and dedication. Like Ramzan (Eid Ul-Fitr), Bakri Eid (also referred as Eid-Ul-Azha, Eid-Ul-Zuha or Bakr-Idd) is a grand celebration for Muslims. Muslims all over India and outside India celebrate Bakri Eid from the tenth to the twelfth day in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.

Significance of Bakri Eid

There is a fascinating story that states the significance of Bakri Eid. Once, Allah challenged Prophet Ibrahim, the friend of Allah and the father of Prophets. Ibrahim had to prove his faith in Allah. Allah asked him to sacrifice the dearest and nearest one in his life. Ibrahim decided to take up the challenge and decided to sacrifice his son Ismail.

Ibrahim's faith in Allah

His love towards his son was as strong as his faith in Allah. Though his heart went numb, he put his son on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. It was impossible to see his son dying in front of his eyes. He could not imagine slaying his own child but he could not deny the order of higher power.

Ibrahim sacrifices his son

He closed his eyes and raised the sharp sword. Reciting Allah's name he divided the head from the body. He opened his eyes and could not believe on his senses. His son Ismail was standing healthy and hearty in front of his eyes. A dead ram with his head apart was lying in the pool of blood. Ibrahim emerged as a winner as he accepted god's challenge with complete faith.

Power of Allah and Quran

Since then people ardently believe in the mercy of Allah and in the authenticity of Quran. They devotionally sacrifice a ram on Eid-Ul-Zuha. On the holy occasion of Eid-Ul-Zuha, prayers are offered by Muslims and animals are sacrificed to show faith and sincerity towards Islam. The festival also signifies the Ibrahim's belief in almighty.

On the occasion of Bakri Eid, Muslims sacrifice animals (goat or ox) in admiration of prophet Ibrahim's faith in Allah. This sacrifice is known as qurbani. A Muslim, who performs slaughter, makes three portions of the meat. He shares the meat with his fellow beings. One third part of the meat is distributed amongst the poor. One third part of the meat is for family and friends of the person who bought the animal. The last third part is for the household of the butcher. For Muslims Bakri Eid is the time to meet relatives, to enjoy feasts, and to seek Allah's blessings. May Allah shower his blessing on you! Happy Bakri Eid!