Significance of Eid Al-Adha, The Feast of Sacrifice

New Delhi: Eid ul-Adha or Bakri Id is celebrated on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic Calendar. The day is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice of Ishamel by Ibrahim.The word "Eid" means a recurring festival. The name of Eid al-Adha means the Feast of Sacrifice.On the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims proceed to the plains of the Mount of `Arafah, outside Makkah and they spend their time totally in worship. This is the core of the worship of Hajj, without which no Hajj is said to have been performed. On that evening, pilgrims proceed from Arafah to Muzdalifah.According to the story in Quran, the religious book of the Muslims, Prophet Ibrahim was tested by God. According to the story, about 4,000 years ago, the valley of Mecca was an uninhabited place. After years of worship, Ibrahim and Hajra, his wife, were blessed with a son, whom they names Ishamel. Thus, Ishamel became their most prized possession. In order to test the devotion of Ibrahim, God decided to command Ibrahim to sacrifice his one and only son Ibrahim. After much deliberation and many hindrances out forward by Satan, Ibrahim decided to sacrifice his son by placing him under the knife. However, just before he was about to sacrifice his son, angel Jibrail appeared with the massage of God that God is happy with Ibrahim's intentions. Thus, Ishamel was saved from sacrifice and instead, a lamb was sacrificed in his place.This festival is a major festival for Muslims around the world. Muslims around the world celebrate this day with great pomp and show. Mosques are decorated with bright lights and other decorations. Muslims wake up early in the morning to offer their prayers. After that, extravagant meals are prepared. An important tradition of the day is sacrificing a lamb, sheep or camel in the name of God. The roots of this tradition lie in the fact that a lamb or a sheep was very important in the life of humans in the old days for rearing and other purposes. People of all ages wear new clothes and exchange gifts on this day. People can be seen burning fire crackers at night and remembering God. Inviting non-Muslim friends and acquaintances is also a common tradition on this day. Main important things that form a part of Eid celebrations in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad- offer prayer in the morning, sacrifice in the name of God, dress up in the best clothes available and observe general cleanliness.