Eid al-Adha is an important celebration in the Muslim calendar beginning today (19 July) and running until Friday (23 July). It’s also a four-day public holiday in Muslim countries.
The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim‘s willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to do so.
Ibrahim’s sacrifice
God appeared in a dream to Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Isma’il.
As Ibrahim and Isma’il set off to Mina for the sacrifice the devil attempted to persuade Ibrahim to disobey God and not to sacrifice his beloved son, but Ibrahim stayed true to God, and drove the devil away.
As Ibrahim prepared to kill his son God stopped him and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead.
Celebrations
Ibrahim’s complete obedience to the will of God is celebrated by Muslims each year. Each Muslim, as they celebrate, reminds themselves of their own submission to God, and their own willingness to sacrifice anything to God’s wishes.
During the festival Muslims who can afford to, sacrifice domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibraham’s sacrifice. (British law insists that the animals must be killed in a proper slaughterhouse.) The meat is distributed among family, friends and the poor, who each get a third share.
Eid al-Adha Mubarak (wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Eid al-Adha) to any of our colleagues celebrating!