HAJJ & EID-UL-ADHA

Hajj

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the "House of God" in Makkah, which is obligatory on every adult Muslim - in any part of the world - who has the means to undertake the journey. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and brings together annually what may justly be described as the greatest gathering of mankind on our planet earth.

"And pilgrimage to the House is a duty men owe to Allah - for those who can afford the journey." (Al Quran 3:97)

Eid-ul-Adha

Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, draws attention to the duty of sacrifice. On the day of Eid-ul-Adha every Muslim with means is to offer an oblation. A goat or sheep suffices for seven different households.

It is preferable to slaughter the animal of sacrifice on Eid day after prayers. However if it is slaughtered on the second or third day of Eid it will be accepted. With regards to the meats of the slaughtered animal, the Holy Quran stipulates these instructions:

"Eat of them and feed the poor man who is contended and the beggar.." (Al-Quran 22:26)

It should be pointed out that the word ‘sacrifice’ used in this context does not have the usual meaning of atonement sor sin or an attempt to appease a deity. It signifies the remembrance of the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his own desires and attachments in submission to the will of Allah, and it serves as a reminder to Muslims that they should be willing to sacrifice everything they have - even there lives - for the cause and pleasure of Allah and his religion.