Idu’l Juha (Bakrid)

Idu’l Juha (Bakrid)

Idu’l Juha aka “Festival of Sacrifice” is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims in India (and worldwide) to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God. However, God provided a ram in place once Ibrahim demonstrated his willingness to follow God’s commands.

Idu’l Juha is the latter of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Quran. Like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khuba).

Idu’l Juha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for three days or more depending on the state. Idu’l Juha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

The other names of Idu’l Juha are Eid al-Adha (worldwide) and in India are Baqra Īd or Baqrī Īd.

History of festival

Four thousand years ago the valley of Mecca was a dry and uninhabited place. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was instructed to bring his wife’s servant, Hagar (Hajira) and their child Ismael to Arabia from Palestine by Allah’s command, as his first wife Sarah started to get jealous after Hagar got her baby.

With some supplies of food and water he left them without wanting, his wife Hagar asked him: “Who ordered you to leave us here”, Ibrahim replied :”Allah”, she said: “than Allah will not forget us, you can go”. However the supplies quickly ran out and within a few days Hagar and Ismael were suffering from hunger and dehydration.

In her desperation Hagar ran up and down two hills called Safa and Marwa trying to see if she could spot any help in the distance. Finally she collapsed beside her baby Ismael and prayed to Allah for deliverance.

Ismael struck his foot on the ground and this caused a spring of water to gush forth from the earth. Hagar and Ismael were saved. Now they had a secure water supply they were able to trade water with passing nomads for food and supplies.

After a while the Prophet Ibrahim returned from Palestine to check on his family and he was amazed to see them running a profitable well.

The Prophet Ibrahim was told by Allah to build a shrine dedicated to him. Ibrahim and Ismael constructed a small stone structure – the Kaaba – which was to be the gathering place for all who wished to strengthen their faith in Allah.

As the years passed Ismael was blessed with Prophethood and he gave the nomads of the desert the message of surrender to Allah.

After many centuries, Mecca became a thriving city thanks to its reliable water source, the well of Zam Zam.

In the year 628 the Prophet Muhammad set out on a journey with 1400 of his followers. This was the first pilgrimage in Islam, and would re-establish the religious traditions of the Prophet Ibrahim.

How the day is celebrated

Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in mosque. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals (usually sheep and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahim’s sacrifice. The sacrificed animals, called Qurbani, have to meet certain age and quality standards or else the animal is considered an unacceptable sacrifice. Generally, these must be at least a year old.

At the time of sacrifice, God’s name is recited along with the offering statement and a supplication as Muhammad said. According to the Quran, the meat is divided into three shares, one share for the poor, one share for the relatives and neighbors and the last to keep to oneself. A large portion of the meat must be given towards the poor and hungry people so they can all join in the feast which is held on Idu’l Juha. The remainder is cooked for the family celebration meal in which relatives and friends are invited to share.

The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Idu’l Juha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days.

Idu’l Juha is a concrete affirmation of what the Muslim community ethic means in practice. People in these days visit their relatives, starting with their parents, then their families and friends.

Date of Festival

The date of Idu’l Juha is decided on the basis of Islamic Calendar and varies every year based on the position on moon.

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