Bakrid - A Festival of Sacrifice

Bakrid - A Festival of Sacrifice

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, November 17:  Id-ul-Zuha or Bakrid is one of the most celebrated festivals among Muslims of India. The festival of sacrifice, when the Muslims of all over India sacrifice ’Bakra’ (goat), is observed to commemorate the great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim who was so devoted, faithful and obedient to God’s will that he unhesitatingly agreed to sacrifice his only son Ismail at His behest. It is said that it was to test him that Allah asked him to sacrifice his son on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. Ibrahim, moved by his paternal feelings and yet determined to follow Allah’s instructions blindfolded himself before sacrificing his son and only removed the blindfold after performing the act. When he opened his eyes, he found his son alive and smiling to his great joy.

Muslims Festivals are observed in India according to their Islamic calendar, which has fewer days than the solar year. That’s why every year the dates of Muslim festivals keep changing. The main Muslim festivals that are celebrated in India comprise Ramzan, Id-e-Milad, Muharram, and Bakr-Id.

The celebrations of this festival are manifested by special prayers offered in mosques, fasting, feasting and exchange of wishes. People wear new clothes. All the Muslim people meet each other along with saying “Eid Mubarak”.

Bakra-Eid is celebrated after the fasting month of Ramzan, which covers various rituals that are performed on specific time. Bakra Eid is manifested by kill animals as sacrificial offerings, after which the meat is distributed among the needy and poor people.

On the altar, a slaughtered lamb could be seen instead. The festival is to celebrate the strong faith of those devoted to Islam. It coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca and people offer prayers in mosques. The sacrificial meat is distributed after the Eid prayers to the family and friends. Special delicacies and sweets are prepared on the occasion. The festival is observed on the tenth day of the month Dhu’l Hijja, according to the Islamic calendar. According to the Quranic text, the sacrifice of Abraham marked the end of the human sacrifices for the Semitic race and that surrendering one’s will and purpose completelt and unconditionally is the only sacrifice that Allah requires.

’May Allah this occasion flood your life with happiness,ur heart
with love,ur soul with spirtual, ur mind with wisdom’

wishing u a
very Happy Bakrid