{(salamz)}
Eid Mubarak and Hajj Mubarak to everyone.
Eid means happiness and the blessed occasion of Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) on the 10th day of Zil-Hajj, the day after the holy Hajj (pilgrimage), reminds everyone, specially the Muslims of the mercy and benefits bestowed upon man-kind by the Almighty Allah.
Muslims around the world annually celebrate this happy occasion in remembrance of the sacrifice done by the Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) also known as Abraham, and his son Prophet Ismail (a.s) also called Ismael. The Prophet Ibrahim was asked by Allah to give Him the most lovliest, the most dearest possession as a sign of belief. Prophet Ibrahim chose his son Ismail (a.s) as the best gift he could offer to Allah to show his love for the Lord. The custom at that time of century was to slaughter the gift presented to the Gods, as a sign of belief. When Ibrahim was about to cut his own son Ismail's throat and slaughter him as a sign of sacrifice to the Almighty, Allah Almighty changed that to a sheep and so Ibrahim slaughtered the sheep instead of his son Ismail. Ibrahim was the Prophet who is considered as the founder of Islam and its beliefs, and Ibrahim also layed out the foundation of the holy house of Allah - the sacred Masjid-Al-Haram, also known as the holy Kaba (kaba in arabic means a high place with respect and prestige. The word kaba may also be derivative of a word meaning a cube). The small, cubed building known as the Kaba may not rival skyscrapers in height or mansions in width, but its impact on history and human beings is unmatched. Allah declared Kaba as His house of Worship, and Kaba is the building towards which muslims around the world face five times a day, everyday, to offer their prayers (called Namaz).
Since the time of the Prophet Ibrahim, millions of muslims every year perform the holy "Hajj" by visiting the holy places of Islam currently located in Saudi Arabia, and offering prayers to the Almighty showing Him the love and respect for all the blessings He has given to the mankind. During the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Ibrahim.
In the Holy Quran, Allah describes Ibrahim as:
Quote: Expand "Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)
And "We made him (Abraham) pure in this world and in the hereafter; he is most surely among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, 'Submit,' he said, 'I submit myself to the Lord of the Worlds.'" (Qur'an 2:130-131)
At the end of the pilgrimage, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha). During this celebration, Muslims commemorate and remember this incident, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.
Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.
The meat from the sacrifice of Eid-ul-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.
It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations:
Quote: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Quran: Surah Al-Hajj 22:37)
The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that the Lord, Allah Almighty desires from us.
The Holy Mosque Masjid al Haram - Kaba - Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Attachment: kaba_makkah_1.jpg [ 432.63 kb ] Clicked: 21 Times
Eid Mubarak and Hajj Mubarak to everyone.
Eid means happiness and the blessed occasion of Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) on the 10th day of Zil-Hajj, the day after the holy Hajj (pilgrimage), reminds everyone, specially the Muslims of the mercy and benefits bestowed upon man-kind by the Almighty Allah.
Muslims around the world annually celebrate this happy occasion in remembrance of the sacrifice done by the Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) also known as Abraham, and his son Prophet Ismail (a.s) also called Ismael. The Prophet Ibrahim was asked by Allah to give Him the most lovliest, the most dearest possession as a sign of belief. Prophet Ibrahim chose his son Ismail (a.s) as the best gift he could offer to Allah to show his love for the Lord. The custom at that time of century was to slaughter the gift presented to the Gods, as a sign of belief. When Ibrahim was about to cut his own son Ismail's throat and slaughter him as a sign of sacrifice to the Almighty, Allah Almighty changed that to a sheep and so Ibrahim slaughtered the sheep instead of his son Ismail. Ibrahim was the Prophet who is considered as the founder of Islam and its beliefs, and Ibrahim also layed out the foundation of the holy house of Allah - the sacred Masjid-Al-Haram, also known as the holy Kaba (kaba in arabic means a high place with respect and prestige. The word kaba may also be derivative of a word meaning a cube). The small, cubed building known as the Kaba may not rival skyscrapers in height or mansions in width, but its impact on history and human beings is unmatched. Allah declared Kaba as His house of Worship, and Kaba is the building towards which muslims around the world face five times a day, everyday, to offer their prayers (called Namaz).
Since the time of the Prophet Ibrahim, millions of muslims every year perform the holy "Hajj" by visiting the holy places of Islam currently located in Saudi Arabia, and offering prayers to the Almighty showing Him the love and respect for all the blessings He has given to the mankind. During the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Ibrahim.
In the Holy Quran, Allah describes Ibrahim as:
And "We made him (Abraham) pure in this world and in the hereafter; he is most surely among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, 'Submit,' he said, 'I submit myself to the Lord of the Worlds.'" (Qur'an 2:130-131)
At the end of the pilgrimage, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha). During this celebration, Muslims commemorate and remember this incident, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.
Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.
The meat from the sacrifice of Eid-ul-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.
It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations:
The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that the Lord, Allah Almighty desires from us.
The Holy Mosque Masjid al Haram - Kaba - Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Attachment: kaba_makkah_1.jpg [ 432.63 kb ] Clicked: 21 Times
