Id-Ul-Zuha or Bakri Id is celebrated at the end of annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which is known as Hajj. Achievements of Prophet Abraham, who was ready to give up anything on the will of Allah are remembered by Muslims on Bakri Id. Read on to know more about the significance and celebration of Id-Ul-Zhua or Bakri Id.

Id-Ul-Zuha or Bakri Id is celebrated by the Muslims throughout the world at the end of Hajj, which is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. This is also known as the festival of sacrifice. Muslims remember and honor the trials and achievements of Prophet Abraham, who was ready to sacrifice anything on the will of Allah, even the life of his eldest son. When Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, God said that he had already fulfilled the vision and in place of Ismaeel, his son, a sheep was sacrificed. This was a test of faith for Abraham. This is the reason why Muslims today sacrifice an animal in the name of Allah that day.

Celebration of Id-Ul-Zuha or Bakri Id

This is how Muslims celebrate Id-Ul-Zuha or Bakri Id.

Slaughter of Animal

The main function or the celebration is the sacrifice of the animal and this is done depending on the financial condition of the family. Muslims in western countries perform this slaughtering in special slaughter houses. But in Muslim countries, the sacrifice is done at home with a special prayer. This is done to show that faith in God and this act is done in the name of God.

After the slaughter of the animal, the celebration is more or less similar to that of the Id-Ul-Fitr. The meat is mostly given away to others on the same day or is distributed the following day too. The message that the slaughtering or sacrificing the life of an animal gives is that Muslims are ready to sacrifice anything in the name of Allah and to go on the right path.

Wearing New Clothes and Prayers

Muslims wear their best clothes and attend the special prayer that is held. After the prayer, the Muslims greet and hug each other. The Morning Prayer is special and Muslims visit their nearest mosque to perform the prayer and gather to greet each other. The exchange of gifts takes place between family and friends. They visit each other's place and the delicious food that is prepared is served to all.

Paying Respect to Elders

Bakri Id is also a time to pay respect to elders and so girls and boys dress up in traditional ways and take blessings from their elders.

Charity

One of the intentions on this day is to give charity to people with open hand and so major part of the meat is given to others in the name of charity. The intention of the person who is performing the sacrifice is very important. This festival is special because the whole community come together to pray and share the food with each other and also share with the needy people.

Greeting Friends and Relatives

People send greeting cards and share good wishes between family and friends. They wish each other peace and happiness. The people who have gone for the pilgrimage look forward to meet their family and friends. Before the Muslims embark on pilgrimage, they ask for forgiveness from their elders and clear their debts as well as make peace. They go for the pilgrimage with a pure and clean heart so that they return from there as a new human being and celebrate Id-Ul-Zoha with full enthusiasm and vigour.

Nowadays there is a new tradition being followed by Muslims which is known as combined qurbani. In this, animals are kept in one place and fed there. Even the slaughtering is done there which saves lot of people from various diseases that occur after this festival. These are mainly due to the waste thrown after slaughtering of animals.

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