Eid-ul-Adha Today: Know Its History & Significance

New Delhi: Eid-ul-Adha also known as Bakra Eid, Eid Qurban or Qurban Bayarami, Muslims mark the major festival of Eid-ul-Adha in the month of Zul Hijjah/Dhu al-Hijjah – the twelfth month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. It honours and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s absolute dedication to Allah.

Eid-ul-Adha History and Significance:

Abraham, or Prophet Ibrahim, had a recurring dream of slaughtering his son, Ismael, to fulfil the wishes of God. Ibrahim told his beloved son about these dreams and explained how God wanted him to make the sacrifice. Ismael, a man of God himself, agreed with his father and asked him to execute Allah’s wishes. However, Shaitan (the devil) tried to tempt Ibrahim and deter him from attempting the sacrifice. But Ibrahim shunned it away by pelting it with stones.

Allah saw Ibrahim’s absolute devotion and sent Jibreel (Angel Gabriel), the Archangel, bearing a sheep for the slaughter. Jibreel told Ibrahim that Allah was pleased with his faithfulness and sent this sheep to be slaughtered in place of his son. Since then, cattle sacrifice during the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations commemorates Prophet Ibrahim and Ismael’s love for Allah. It also shows that one is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of what they love dearly for the sake of Allah.