Bakra Eid 2018: One of the most popular festivals of Muslims, known as Eid-al-Adha is around the corner. The festival which marks the end of Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, will be celebrated on 22nd August 2018. Eid-al-Adha is also known as the festival of sacrifice and is the second of Eid celebrated amongst the Muslims worldwide.
The celebration of this festival, at some places, will start from the evening of 21st August and will be celebrated till 22nd of August. The festival generally falls in the last month of the Hijri Calendar. During this month, any kind of war is prohibited, as mentioned in the Holy book – Quran. The Eid-al-Adha starts from the month’s 10th day and ends with the 12th-day sunset also called as Bakra Eid.
Important Rituals of the Day:
Eid-al-Adha is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the world within the Muslim community. On Bakra Eid, the Muslims throughout the world make the sacrifice of a goat or Bakra and then share the meat with the family members along with the poor people and the fellow Muslims.
Although, there are many other animals that are sacrificed it is the sacrifice of goat that is seen in the majority of Muslims. As the most dominant sacrifice is that of a goat, the festival of Eid-al-Adha is popularly known as Bakra Eid.
On the morning of this spiritual day, all the Muslims dress up in their finest clothes after cleaning themselves thoroughly. They, then proceed to offer the Eid prayers in the mosque. Soon after the completion of the Eid prayers, they proceed with sacrificing their Bakra. Following the completion of the sacrifice of Bakra, the meat is distributed along with exchanging greetings.
The entire day is well-celebrated with the family members and loved ones with many delicious dishes cooked. People also visit their relative’s home for celebrating their joy.
Timings of Eid-al-Adha (Bakra Eid):
The timings for the Eid prayers start right after the sunrise and it continues till Zawal. It is considered great and beneficial to visit early to the mosque for offering the Eid prayers. Also, it is said that one must take two different routes for visiting the mosque and then returning from it.
This festival of Eid is a reminder to all the people that Allah alone is the creator of the world and everything, either big or small, belongs alone to him. Eid-al-Adha also highlights the fact that Allah also supports and helps the doer of good acts. Each and every sacrifice made on this festive day is highly rewarded by Allah in the best form.
On this auspicious day, I wish that all your sacrifices get accepted by Allah and you get the best of rewards for them. Ameen
Here’s wishing all of you a very Happy, prosperous and peaceful Eid-al-Adha. Eid Mubarak!