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There are various festivals in the Muslim calendar. But
Bakriid or Id-ul-Zuha is one of the most celebrated
festivals among Muslims all over the world. It is a day
of sacrifice for the Muslims. According to legends. It
all started with a dream in which Allah directed the
patriarch Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail.
It was Ibrahim's faith in Allah and his son's faith in
his father that were on test. Before performing the
sacrifice Ismail tied a cloth around his father's eyes.
But when Ibrahim opened his eyes he found his son safe
and sound. In his place lay a dead dumba or ram. It is
in honour of this test of faith that Muslims around the
world sacrifice an animal on the occasion of Id-ul-azha
to show their allegiance, faith and sincerity towards
Allah. In India the Muslims mainly sacrifice the goat,
which is why the occasion is spoken of in Urdu as Bakhr
or Bakri-Id. The festival is to celebrate the strong
faith of those devoted to Islam.
The festival coincides with the anniversary of the day
when 'Quran' was declared complete. It is from when many
Muslims undertake Haj to Mecca and people offer prayers
in mosques. On the day of Id, the pilgrims reach the
grounds of Mina where they sacrifice an animal each. It
was here that Ibrahim is believed to have sacrificed his
son. The pilgrims then shave their heads. The purpose is
to be one with the millions of devotees who converge to
Mecca each year for the Haj. The sacrificial meat is
distributed after the ceremony among friends and family
members. Special delicacies and sweets are prepared on
the occasion. The celebration of Bakri Id starts from
the tenth to the twelfth day in the Islamic month of
Dhu'l Hijja. On the Id day people wear new clothes,
offer prayers, and visit each other and exchange
greetings. There are special prayers, which take places
on the three days of Id. Ceremonial prayers, and feasts
are part of this festival.
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