Bakra Eid is one of the most important Muslim festivals. It has great religious significance and is an occasion of sacrifice. It is also known as id-ul-zuha or in Arabic; it is called Id-ul-Azha. It means a “feast of Sacrifice”.
This festival is an occasion to remember Allah for all the good fortune bestowed on us. This feeling is confirmed by sharing your good fortune with less fortunate ones.
On this day, animal sacrifice is performed by slaughtering it and the meat is distributed among the poor and needy people.
It is believed that Allah asked Hazrat Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son Ismail. To follow the God’s commandment, he took to sacrifice his beloved son but unable to bear to see the act of sacrifice, he blindfolded himself. When he removed the blindfolded, he saw a lamb lay slaughtered there and his son was alright. Then he understood that god wished to test his willingness to sacrifice his beloved object.
This incident stated that god wants man to sacrifice his will and self. Bakr-Id is such an occasion to reaffirm this belief. Sacrificing of animal and distributing its meat to poor ones reasserts the spirit of sacrifice.
Day of bakr-Id also coincides with the occasion of completion of Koran.
Bakr-id is celebrated in Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. It is celebrated for three days; from tenth to twelfth day of this month.
Muslims all over the world sacrifice goat on this day and pilgrims to Mount Mina , near Mecca , perform animal sacrifice there.
As per Muslim rituals, any Muslim, who can afford two square meals a day or possesses more than 400 gms of gold, should make a animal sacrifice.
Besides goat, sheep, camel or any other four legged animal can be sacrificed. It is performed any of three days of festivities but before afternoon of third day. Meat is divided in three parts and one is kept for self, other for friends and third on for the needy ones.
Muslims visit Mosques to offer prayers. They wear new clothes and prepare other delicacies of Eid and share with their friends and relatives.
