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Festival of sacrifice
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"After the ceremonial `Id' prayer, the devotees are addressed by the maulvi who exhorts them to be conscious of their duties to God and follow the example of Ibrahim."
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FESTIVALS ARE celebrated to bring people together and usher in the good cheer. Behind every festival, there is a reason though the feel-good factor is common. If last month it was Pongal season, this week it is Id. There are two types of Id celebrations - Id-ul-Fitr is the `festival of charity' and `Id-ul-Zuha' is the `festival of sacrifice'. It is also known as `Bakrid' which falls today (February 2).
The occasion commemorates `Hazrat' Ibrahim's willingness to offer his only son as a sacrifice at God's command.
The story goes that just when he was on the verge of slitting open his son's throat with a sword, it was revealed to him that the command was meant only to test his faith. Instead, he was advised to sacrifice a ram in the name of Allah. And from thereon, the festival came into being.
"It is the time when the Haj celebrations at Mecca are rounded off by the sacrifice of goats or camels.
In India, too, goats and sheep are sacrificed all over the country and prayers are offered," shares S.Sikkander, working in a leather goods shop.
To mark the occasion, each Muslim family or a group of families sacrifice one animal. Prayers are held in mosques across the country followed by feasting and rejoicing and exchanging greetings.
In India, the animal used most often for sacrifice is the goat - which is why the occasion is spoken of in Urdu as `Bakhr' or `Bakri-Id'.
The day dawns with the `Thakbir' (Allahu Akbar), the declaration that `God is great'. Every Muslim wakes up with the spirit of sacrifice and festivity.
Men, women and children, attired in their best recite the `Thakbir' in their homes and then proceed to the Mosque for `namaz' (prayers). `Namazis' are required to offer prayers on an empty stomach.
"After the ceremonial `Id' prayer, the devotees are addressed by the maulvi who exhorts them to be conscious of their duties to God and follow the example of Ibrahim. After the prayer, the `namazis' exchange greetings and as an expression of brotherhood, hug each other. After the prayer `Qurbani' (sacrifice) is performed with equal shares going to the family performing the sacrifice, their relatives and the poor," says Qadir, owning a shoe shop.
The festivity at home is marked by the ceremonial prayer, hearty feasts and social visits.
Women enjoy the occasion visiting neighbours and friends and partaking in the joyous singing and dancing.
`Id-ul-Zuha' also marks the completion of `Haj' pilgrimage to Mecca. It is obligatory at least once in lifetime for every Muslim to undertake the journey.
Haj pilgrims are required to wear only two seamless pieces of white cloth known as `Ihram' (pilgrims robe), which symbolises the severance of all worldly ties. It also serves to make men and women equal.
All distinctions of rank and colour, of wealth and nationality, disappear.
Assembly of people from all walks of life from every corner of the globe united by one faith filled with the same hope worshipping the same God prove that all are equal before the creator.
With a religious significance, the festivals of Islam are occasions to express people's gratitude to God.
A spirit of tolerance, mutual understanding and universal brotherhood pervade such religious gatherings and augur well for times to come.
T.SARAVANAN
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