Why is Eid celebrated in India – History, Types, Tradition
Eid-ul-Azha (Bakrid) (in Arabic meaning Qurbani’s Eid) is a major festival of people who believe in the religion of Islam. It is celebrated around 70 days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Bakra Eid History
- It is believed that the festival of Bakrid started by Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim. They are considered to be the Prophet of Allah.
- Ibrahim was engaged in the good works of the world. He served the people, but by the age of 90 he had no children.
- He then prayed to God, giving him a son like Ismail, but in a dream Khuda ordered him to sacrifice what he loved.
- They sacrificed all their beloved animals, obeying the command of Allah. One day Hazrat Ibrahim had this dream again when he pledged to sacrifice his son.
- He sacrificed his beloved son by blindfolding him and when his eyes opened, he found that his son was alive and playing. Rather, a Dumbay was sacrificed there itself.
- Dumba is a goat-like animal of the goat species, whose tail is round.
- It is said that the practice of sacrificing Dumbe or Sheep has been going on since then.
How Bakrid is celebrated?
- Bakrid is sacrificed for his beloved goat. A few days before Bakrid, a goat has to be bought and brought so that it becomes attached to the goat.
- Those who have kept goat pal in their homes, they sacrifice that goat.
- On the day of Bakrid, people of the Muslim community offer al-Namaz. After this, the work of sacrificing the goat is started.
- After the sacrifice, the goat meat is divided into three parts. In these three parts of meat, one part is kept for the poor, second part is distributed among relatives, neighbour and third part is kept for themselves.
Traditions and Practices
- Men, women and children are expected to dress in their finest clothes to offer Eid prayers at a large gathering in an open waqf (“rok”) ground called the Idgah or Masjid.
- Affluent Muslims who could afford it could bring their best halal domestic animals (usually a cow. However depending on the region to be a camel, goat, sheep, or ram) as a symbol of Abraham’s desire for his only son can be sacrificed.
- Sacrificed animals, also known as Aiya, also known by the Persian-Arabic word Qurbani, have to meet certain age and quality standards or are considered unacceptable sacrifices to the animal.
- In Pakistan alone, around ten million animals costing over US $ 2.0 billion are killed on Eid day.
Type of Eid
Muslim celebrate two eid each year.
- Eid al-Fitr : Its meaning is Feast of Breaking the Fast. Marks the end of the month of Ramadan
- Eid al-Adha : Its meaning is Feast of the Sacrifice.
Name of Eid in Different Countries
In languages other than Arabic, the name is often translated into the local language, such as
- English – Treat of the Sacrifice,
- German – Opferfest
- Dutch – Offerfeest
- Turkey – Kurbaan Beramai
- Bangladesh – Bakr Eid
- Philippines – Qurban
- Pakistan & India – Bakrid
- Senegal, Guinea, and Gambia – Tabaski or Tobaski
- Hungarian – Oldozetti Unep
- Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia -Hari Raya Aiduladha
- Maghreb – Big Eid, Eid ul Adha
Eid Mubarak