Hajj

MM Treasures | ‘Eid Al-Adha: Important Reminders

Published

October 25, 2012

MM Treasures are posts on MuslimMatters that we believe are overlooked ‘gems’ that NEED to be read, especially by our new readers.

Many of us can attest to the fact that the spirit of celebration during ‘Eid-ul-Adha is subpar, to say the least, when compared to the Muslims’ spirit during ‘Eid-ul-Fitr. In fact, the underlying reason for this phenomenon may not be as secreted as we think.

I firmly believe that the spirit of ‘Eid is a direct result of the amount of sacrifices we make prior to it. In other words, investing our time, money, and wealth translates into not only self-contentment but also to a successful and joyous ‘Eid. Thus, it is not surprising that even though we do not put in as much effort as we should in the month of Ramadan, the little that we do has an impact on ourselves and makes us feel deserving of celebration when ‘Eid-ul-Fitr comes around.

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

I know that sounds deep and complicated, so let me explain. When I strive hard for success in my exams, I feel deserving of a break once my exams are over. On the contrary, there have been instances in the past when I did not put in as much effort in my exams as I should have and the feeling of regret degraded the quality of enjoyment I had during my break. Similarly, our sacrifices during the blessed month of Ramadan instill a sense of pride and achievement within us which inclines us to rejoice and celebrate as we reflect on our feats! This is only because of the esteemed position we have given to the month of Ramadan in our lives that the believers feel as though their hard work is being paid off and they wish to take advantage of it during ‘Eid-ul-Fitr.

On the other hand, Muslims tend to undermine the value of first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, whether it be due to a burn out from Ramadan or just plain ignorance of the merits of these blessed days. We forget that the Prophet informed us that the most blessed days of the year are the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah and the most blessed nights are the last 10 nights of Ramadan. Since, we have not given the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah a similar importance in our lives as the month of Ramadan, we do not feel accomplished due to the lack of effort in doing good deeds, and that dampens our spirit of celebration on ‘Eid-ul-Adha.

Now that we know that the reason behind the lack of spirit of celebration of ‘Eid-ul-Adha is the lack of amount of sacrifices we make during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, let us take from the example of the companions of the Prophet . In the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, the companions of the Prophet would fast, perform extra dhikr and nafl prayers, do extra reading of the Qur’an, be overly generous in giving charity, repent for their sins, show gratefulness to Allah and finally perform udhiya (i.e. sacrifice an animal for the sake of Allah). In other words, they would live by the statement of Allah where He says,

“Say: ‘Verily, my salaat, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are all for Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alameen’” (6:162).

Thus, we too need to increase in our ibaadah in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah just as we do in the month of Ramadan. Then, and only then, will we be able to enjoy the community celebration of ‘Eid-ul-Adha and truly give this blessed day the right and respect that it deserves.

The history of ‘Eid-ul-Adha relates back to the time of Ibrahim . Allah says,

“And, when he [his son] was old enough to walk with him, he said, ‘O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you, so look to what you think!’ He said, ‘O my father! Do that which you are commanded, if Allah wills, you shall find me patient.’” (37:102).

This trial was so great that Allah said in Surah Ss-Saffat (37:106),

“Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.”

We are all aware that Ibrahim did not actually slaughter his own son, Isma’eel, but Allah tested him to see how far he will act on the command of Allah. And to top this off further, Allah presented Ibrahim with a ram to sacrifice instead. Ibn al-Qayyim said regarding this, ‎”The purpose wasn’t for Ibrahim to kill his son; rather it was to sacrifice him in his heart so all love belonged to Allah alone.” It is a part of our tradition that during these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah and on the day of ‘Eid-ul-Adha that we remember the sacrifice of Ibrahim , and we reflect on what made him to be the strongest of the believers, a close friend of Allah, someone whom Allah has blessed (as is apparent from the durood portion of our salaat) and a leader of all the nations that follow.

Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10^th of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic Lunar calendar. It mar

ks the end of Hajj, which is the annual pilgrimage of Muslims worldwide to city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It is a time to rejoice and celebrate by wishing each other “Eid Mubarak” or “Have a blessed Eid.” It is as the Prophet said, “The greatest day in the sight of Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, is the Day of Sacrifice…” (Abu Dawud). The Prophet also said: “The day of ‘Arafah, the day of Sacrifice, and the days of al-Tashreeq are our festival, us Muslims, and they are days of eating and drinking.” (Tirmidhi). It is the day when many acts of worship are combined, such as reciting takbeerat exalting Allah, praying as a large community, and offering the udhiya (the sacrificial animal).

Some scholars said that the ‘Eid prayer is fard kifaayah (a communal obligation), and some scholars said that it is fard ‘ayn (an individual obligation). Regardless of which opinion you follow, it is the day when believers unite and show their strength in numbers as they gather together, so a believer should not neglect the ‘Eid prayer but rather should make every effort to be enumerated therein.

Sunnahs pertaining to the day of ‘Eid-ul-Adha:

1. The Prophet used to do ghusl on the day of ‘Eid.

2. He used to wear his most beautiful garments to go out to pray. For modesty reasons, the women should avoid adorning themselves when they go out for ‘Eid.

3. With regard to ‘Eid-ul-Adha, the Prophet used not to eat anything until he came back from the place of prayer. He would eat some of the meat of his sacrifice. If a person is not planning to offer a sacrifice, then there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.

4. And he used to go out to the ‘Eid prayer walking and come back walking. He used to vary his route on the day of ‘Eid. He would go by one route and come back by another.

5. Another sunnah is to say the takbeerat “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha illAllah, wa Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillaah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and to Allah be praise)” when coming out of one’s house to the prayer place and until the imam comes.

6. The Prophet used to offer the ‘Eid prayers in the prayer-place (musalla).

7. He did not offer any prayer in the prayer-place before or after the ‘Eid prayer.

8. The ‘Eid prayer does not consist of an adhaan or an iqaamah.

9. The Prophet would start with the prayer before thekhutbah.

10. There are seven takbeerat in the first raka’h and five takbeerat in the second raka’h of ‘Eid prayer (Tirmidhi).

11. The khutbah after the ‘Eid prayer is optional. Abu Dawood narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn al-Saa’ib said: “I attended ‘Eid (prayer) with the Messenger of Allah , and when he had finished the prayer he said: ‘We are going to deliver the khutbah, so whoever wants to sit and listen to the khutbah, let him do so, and whoever wants to leave, let him go.’”

12. Exchange du’a, congratulations or good wishes with the people at the end of thekhutbah. Examples include: Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you) or “Eid Mubarak” and other permissible expressions of congratulations.

13. The Days of Tashreeq: The days of Tashreeq are the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said concerning the days of Tashreeq: “They are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah.” It is recommended to remember Allah immediately after the prescribed prayers by reciting the takbeerat. This is prescribed until the end of the days of Tashreeq according to the majority of scholars.

So from all of us here at Muslim Matters, Eid Kareem! Eid Mubarak! A very prosperous and joyous ‘Eid! Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum! Ameen, ya Rabbil ‘alameen.

Footnote: Information on the sunnahs of ‘Eid-ul-Adha was taken from www.islamqa.com

Tweet3

3 Shares

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

Up Next

Caught in a Storm- The Muslim Way

Don't Miss

From Myanmar to Mecca | Rohingya Muslims Make Plea at Hajj

Kanika Aggarwal

Kanika is an engineer by profession, currently pursuing a Bachelors in Islamic Sciences from Arees Institute (studying under Shaykh Isam Rajab, hafidahullah) and conducts online seminars for sisters at http://habibihalaqas.org . She is also a professional makeup artist and looks forward to increasing Muslim sisters' self esteem through her new venture: http://beautyglamsham.com . She also has a diploma in Indian Cooking and offers classes in Indian Cuisine in Chicago and Toronto - http://learnindiancooking.com . She is happily married and currently resides in Chicago with her lovely husband.

5 Comments

Nusrath

October 25, 2012 at 12:12 PM

Eid mubarak :)

Reply
du'a

October 25, 2012 at 12:50 PM

Unto You, O Allah, belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. You create what You will. You bestow female offspring upon whom You will, and bestow male offspring upon whom You will; or You mingle them, males and females, and You make barren whom You will. To You, O Lord, I turn and pray. I beg Your pardon.

I know that there is no God save You, O Allah. You are Guardian over all things. You take care of all things. You have chosen no son nor have You any partner in the sovereignty. You have created everything and have meted out for it a measure. And You are the Forgiving, the loving, Lord of the Throne of Glory, Doer of what You will. You are Able to do all things, and You surrounded all things in knowledge. Power belongs wholly to You, and unto You belongs the sequel of all things. You bring Your command to pass. Your command, when You intend a thing, is only that You say unto it: Be! and it is. Glory be to You in Whose hand is the dominion over all things! Unto You belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and whatsoever in between them, and whatsoever is beneath the sod. No slumber can seize You nor sleep. Your Throne does extend over the heavens and the earth. You make none to share in Your government. And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof depends on You, O Allah. Not an animal but You do grasp it by the forelock! Who is he who can preserve us from You if You intended harm for us, or intended mercy for us ? All that are in the heavens and the earth entreat You. Every day You exercise universal power. Glory be to You ! To You, O Lord, I turn and pray. I beg Your pardon.

Is it not unto You, O Allah, that belongs whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth? You bestow upon us secretly and openly. I ask You, therefore, of Your bounty. For You are of infinite bounty. You enlarge livelihood for whom You will, and straiten it for whom You will. And You give without stint to whom You will. If You touch me with affliction, there is none that can relieve it save You, O Allah, and if You touch me with good fortune there is none that can impair it; for You are Able to do all things. You are the Omnipotent over Your slaves, and You are the Wise, the Knower. Nobody owns provision for me but You. So I seek my provision from You only, O Allah! You supply both believers and disbelievers from Your bounty. And Your bounty can never be walled up. O Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire.

O Lord! You will no injustice to Your creatures. You wrong not even of the weight of an ant; and if there is a good deed, You will double it and will give the doer from Your presence an immense reward. O Allah ! You never wrong mankind in anything, but mankind wrong themselves. I wronged my own soul. Even though You tried me in my property and in my person, whatever of misfortune strikes me, it is what my right hand has earned. But who will forgive my sins save You, O Allah? You it is Who accepts repentance from his bondmen , and pardons the evil deeds. And You forgive much. You even change evil deeds to good deeds. My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are best of all who show mercy.

My Lord! You are of vast mercy. You are best aware of me from the time when You created me from the earth, and when I was hidden in the belly of my mother. I know You accept only from those who ward off evil. I know You change not the condition of a folk until they first change that which is in their heart. That is because You never change the grace You have bestowed on any people until they first change that which is in their hearts. And I would not ascribe purity unto myself. You are best aware of him who wards off evil. But I know also that You would turn to us in mercy; You would make the burden light for us. I know You would not place a burden on us, but You would purify us and would perfect Your grace upon us, that we may give thanks. I know that You task not a soul beyond its scope. And I know that You forgive all sins! You are the Forgiving, the Merciful. Shall I, then, despair of Your mercy?

O Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge. I know that You know what is in my mind, and I know that You are Forgiving, Clement. You know what my soul whispers to me; I know that I utter no word but there is with me an observer ready. I perform no act but You are Witness of me when I am engaged therein. And not an atom’s weight in the earth or in the sky escapes You, O Lord. Not a leaf falls but You know it. You know the traitor of the eyes, and that which the bosoms hide. You know that which goes down into the earth and that which comes forth from it, and that which descends from the heaven and that which ascends into it. And You are with us wheresoever we may be. You are Seer of what we do. To You, O Lord, I turn and pray. I beg Your pardon.

You said, O Lord, to Your beloved Prophet: “And though thou try much, most men will not believe.” “And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners (unto Him).” And You said, O Lord: “(It is) the truth from the Lord of you (all). Then whosoever will, let him believe, and whosoever will, let him disbelieve.” I want to believe, O Lord ! I want to be a slave of Yours. I want to be near You. But I will not unless it be that You will. Whether I like it or not, I belong to You. And I like to belong to You. I like to be a slave of Yours. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto You as a slave. You know us and numbered us with right numbering. And each one of us will come unto You on the Day of Resurrection, alone. I want to be a slave of Yours here, before the Day of Resurrection. I want to be a slave of Yours every day of my life.

I know You are not a tyrant to Your slaves. Had it not been for Your grace and Your mercy unto us, not one of us would ever have grown pure. But You cause whom You will to grow. For You are Hearer, Knower, O Allah. If it had not been for Your grace and Your mercy we would have followed Satan, save a few of us. You called all of us to come into submission unto You and not follow the footsteps of the devil. Here I am coming into submission unto You, but the devil is always there. Help me turn away from him for good. I want to be with You, not with him. I want to be a slave of You, not of him. I would not choose him and his seed for my protecting friends instead of You. I know Satan cannot harm me at all unless by Your leave. So I seek refuge in You from him and his suggestions. I beg You not to assign unto me a devil who becomes my comrade, who makes my work fair seeming unto me and debars me from the way of Truth. Bring me close to You, O Allah, and drive Satan and his seed away from me.

O Lord ! whenever You try man by honouring him, and are gracious unto him, he says: My Lord honoured me. But whenever You try him by straitening his means of life, he says: My Lord despised me. I am sorry for what I said. I regret what I hid in my heart and mind. I wronged myself, O Lord, and I beg Your pardon.

If I am thankless, yet You are Independent of me. But I thank You willingly and knowlingly and make myself a slave of Yours. I know I cannot outstrip You. I know You are the Omnipotent over Your slaves. I don’t even know what I will earn tomorrow or in what land I will die. I know I shall never be secure from Your scheme. But You promised us forgiveness from You with bounty. I beg Your forgiveness and bounty, O Allah.

O Allah, if You promised us something, You promised us a promise of truth. Satan the outcast will only promise us, and then fail us. I know Satan has no power over those who believe and put trust in You, O Lord. His power is only over those who make a friend of him. O Lord, purify my belief and strengthen my trust in You. Appoint for me a light wherein I shall walk, and forgive me. Help me walk aright and add to my guidance and give me my protection against evil. Appoint for me love, and endear the faith to me and beautify it in my heart and make disbelief and lewdness and rebellion hateful unto me. Make the Quran a healing and a mercy for me, a balm for that which is in my breast, a light whereby You guide me unto paths of peace. Bring me out of darkness unto light and guide me unto a straight path.

My Lord, save me from my own greed, and help me make my faith pure for You only. Help me serve You only. Let me not be of those who seek to hide from men and seek not to hide from You, O Allah. Let me not be of those who say that which they do not, or those who enjoin righteousness upon mankind while they themselves forget to practise it. Let me not be of those who worship You upon a narrow marge so that if good befalls them they are content therewith, but if a trial befalls them, they fall away utterly. Let not the life of the world beguile me. Let me not be of those for whom the evil that they do is beautified while they follow their own lusts. Let me not be of those who chose for their gods their own lusts! Let me not be of those whose effort goes astray in the life of the world and yet they reckon that they do good work. Let me not be like him who goes groping on his face, but like him who walks upright on a beaten road. Let me be one of those who seek the abode of the Hereafter in that which You have given them and do not neglect their portion of the world and are kind to others even as You have been kind to them.

O Lord, guide my steps and light my way ! Lead me unto Your satisfaction and be pleased with me. Accept my work and lead me unto the abode of peace. I have no Lord but You.

I don’t want to eat and enjoy life and let false hope beguile me. I know that the life of this world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among us, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. I know this life of the world is but a pastime and a game. That which we have wastes away, and that which You have, O Allah, remains.

O Allah, You give us of all we ask of You, and if we would count Your bounty we cannot reckon it. I will never reckon Your favour. I just say thank You, O Lord ! You brought me forth from the womb of my mother knowing nothing, and gave me hearing and sight and a heart that haply I might give thanks. I thank You so much, O Lord ! I know that whatever of comfort I enjoy, it is from You. Thus do You perfect Your favour unto me, in order that I may surrender unto You. I do surrender unto You, O Allah, and I coin not similitudes for You. You know; I know not.

My Lord! You are Independent of me; I cannot be independent of You. I entreat You like all that are in the heavens and the earth entreat You. I am but one of Your bondmen. To You, Alone, I turn for mercy. I beg Your pardon. You it is Who accepts repentance from his bondmen, and pardons the evil deeds, and knows what we do.

How can’t I fear You, O Allah? My heart fears you in secret, whatever my right hand has earned. I am the poor in my relation to You, O Allah. You are the Absolute, the Owner of Praise. I would only call on You in fear and hope. I know there is no protecting friend nor defender nor intercessor nor will I find refuge beside You, O Allah. You are the Protecting Friend of those who believe, of those who ward off evil. You befriend the righteous, and You are with those who keep their duty unto You. You are the Protecting Friend, the Praiseworthy. Let me be one of the righteous and be my Protecting Friend. Help me keep my duty unto You. Let me not be easy prey for Satan. I love You, not Satan. I want You, not Satan.

You say, O Allah: “with hardship goeth ease; Lo! with hardship goeth ease”, and who is more true in statement than You, O Allah? Who fulfils His covenant better than You, O Allah? You have apportioned among us our livelihood in the life of the world, and You have exalted some of us in rank above others that You may try us by the test of that which You have given us. No calamity befalls us save by Your leave. And whosoever believes in You, O Allah, You guide his heart. O Lord, do guide my heart. Fill it with enough belief so that I may strongly believe that that which You open unto us of mercy none can withhold it; and that which You withhold none can release it thereafter. Let me not be of those who follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire. Let my belief be knowledge. Let my heart find rest in the remembrance of You. Remit from me my evil deeds and make my course easy for me.

My Lord! Appoint a way out for me, and give me in exchange safety after my fear. Make me not grieve for the sake of that which has escaped me, and make me not exult because of that which You have given me. Make not pride take me to sin, and give me my protection against evil. Let the angels be my protecting friends in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. I am of those who surrender unto You, O Allah.

Reply
- kamg6
  
  October 26, 2012 at 10:37 AM
  
  subhanallah…did you write that all? It’s gonna take a long time the read it but khair inshallah, I read the end and it seemed v good. mashallah. salam
  
  Reply
Hena Zuberi

October 25, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Eid Mubarak to all our readers.

Reply
Hafeez

October 26, 2012 at 9:14 PM

I thought Tashreek days start from Arafa. From Fajr salat of 9th zul Hijja to Asr of 13th zul Hijjah.

Reply