Eid -Ul - Adha

Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated this year on August 12. This Islamic holiday comes around 10 weeks after Eid-ul-Fitr, which was celebrated earlier in June this year, and marked the end of Ramadhan during which fasting from dawn to sunset is observed by Muslims around the world.
Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th of the month of Dhul-Hajj of the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (peace be on him) and his son Ishmael (peace be on him). Muslims believe that Prophet Abraham (peace be on him) was asked by God in a dream to sacrifice Ishmael (peace be on him). When he informed his son about this dream and asked him what he thought, Ishmael expressed his willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of God. When the sacrifice was about to take place, God stopped Abraham (peace be on him) and directed that a lamb be sacrificed instead. About this incident the Holy Quran narrates:
“And when they both submitted to the Will of God, and he had thrown him down on his forehead, We called to him: O Abraham, Thou hast indeed fulfilled the dream. Thus indeed do we reward tho’se who do good. That surely was a manifest trial. And we ransomed him with a great sacrifice” (37:103-108).
The willingness of both father and son to sacrifice and obey the command of God is what the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha is about. On this occasion, Muslims around the world offer animal (such as, cows and lambs) sacrifices following the example of Prophet Abraham and Ishmael (peace be on them). In addition to the act of sacrificing animals, Muslims are encouraged to make every kind of sacrifice for the spiritual, moral, social, and economic uplift of mankind and especially their own. The attainment of righteousness should be the goal of every Muslim as the Holy Quran states:
“Those who do good and act righteously shall have a great reward” (4:173).
The act of sacrifice is a reminder to every Muslim that as the animal is inferior to him, he is inferior to God. Therefore, he should be ready to sacrifice himself and all his personal interests for the sake of God when he is required to do so. We should make it a common cause to establish the attributes of God and His messengers in ourselves according to His teachings and guidance.