Bakrid – Dates, Rituals and Celebrations

Bakrid is celebrated as ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ by Muslims all over the world. It is also known by the names Id-ul-Zuha and Id-ul-Adha in Arabic. It is known as ‘Bakr-Id’ in the Indian subcontinent corresponding to ‘Bakr’ means goat and Id means festival. On this day goat is sacrificed and the meat is distributed to the poor as the offering.

Bakrid annually falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah month of Islamic lunar calender. In the year of 2009, Bakrid is celebrated on 27th or 28th of November, but the dates depends on visiblity of moon and it varies from country to country. It is also known as the day when annual pilgrimage to Mecca is taken up by Muslims worldwide. It falls approximately 70 days after the end of Ramadan month.

History

Four thousand years ago, the valley of Mecca was a dry and uninhabited place. According to Islamic history, the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was instructed to bring Hajar (Hajira) and their child Ismael to Arabia from the land of Palestine – Canaan – by God’s command, as his childless wife Sarah, well beyond child bearing years, had become jealous that Hagar had bore a Abraham a son.

As Ibrahim made ready to return to the land of Canaan, Hajar asked him, “Who ordered you to leave us here”? When Ibrahim replied: “God”, Hajar said, “then God will not forget us; you can go”. Although Ibrahim had left a large quantity of food and water with Hajar and Ismael, the supplies quickly ran out and within a few days the two were suffering from hunger and dehydration.

According to the story, a desparate Hajar ran up and down between two hills called Safa and Marwa seven times, trying to find water. Finally she collapsed beside her baby Ismael and prayed to God for deliverance. Ismael struck his foot on the ground, and this caused a spring of water to gush forth from the earth. Other accounts have the angel Jibral (Gabriel) striking the earth and starting a spring to flow. With this secure water supply, they were not only able to provide for their own needs, but were also able to trade water with passing nomads for food and supplies. When the Prophet Ibrahim returned from Canaan to check on his family, he was amazed to see them running a profitable well.

The Prophet Ibrahim was told by God to build a shrine dedicated to him adjacent to Hajar’s well (the Zamzam Well). 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 God. As the years passed, Ismael was blessed with Prophethood and he gave the nomads of the desert his message of surrender to God. After many centuries, Mecca became a thriving city thanks to its reliable water source, the well of Zamzam.

No longer safe in Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad and the year 628 traveled to Medina (lit. the city) with 1400 of his followers. This was the first ‘pilgrimage’ in Islam, seeking to re-establish the religious traditions of the Prophet, as he believed they were originally practiced. Ibrahim.

Quran-Calligraphy-and-Mosque-300x225

The Legend:

On the day of Bakrid, Muslims observe animal sacrifice to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). Once God has tested his obedience and ordered him to sacrifice the person dearest to him.

Ibrahim at once decided to sacrifice his son Ismail at Mina near Mecca. It so happened that the sword put on the throat of his son and the Lord revealed that all this was merely a test of his faith in God and he could sacrifice a ram instead of his son.

Bakrid is celebration of ardent faith of the believers in Allah and His word Quran.

Philosophy:

The sacrifice is prescribed in Holy Quran in Surat Al-Hajj (34-37) as follows:

“To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice), that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food). But your Allah is One Allah. submit then your wills to Him (in Islam): and give thou the good news to those who humble themselves,

To those whose hearts when Allah is mentioned, are filled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed upon them.

The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the symbols from Allah. in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have We made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful.

It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah. it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify Allah for His Guidance to you and proclaim the good news to all who do right.”

It is recommended that the sacrifice is made in the name of Allah. The offering that is sacrificed is divided into three portions: One being set apart for personal consumption, another part should be distributed to friends and relatives and the third part should be distributed among poor and the needy. This is enjoined in Law book of Quran to provide meal to the poor. It is for all the believers who pay heed.

mosque-300x211

Celebrations:

Bakrid is celebrated with great enthusiasm and vigour among Muslims. It is considered as one of the auspicious day for them. Men and women dress up in new clothes and go to Mosques. They offer special prayers or ‘Dua’ for the peace and prosperity of all Muslims. After the prayer sacrifice is done.

A full grown goat or sheep, free from disease, is taken to the sacrificial ground and is severed. This sacrifice is done any time before the afternoon of the third day. Several prayers are offered and the meat is distributed. Poor are fed sumptously and charity is given.

Muslims greet one another ‘Eid Mubarak’ and share their warmth. They visit relatives and friend houses and exchange gifts. Special delecacies and dishes are prepared and served among family and friends.

The Takbir and other Rituals

The Takbir is recited from the dawn of the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah to the thirteenth of it. The Takbir consists of:

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر
laa ilaaha illAllaah لا إله إلا الله
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبر
wa li-illaahil-hamd ولله الحمد

God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest,
There is no deity but God
God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest
and to God goes all praise

Variation

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبر
laa ilaaha illAllaah لا إله إلا الله
wAllaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar والله أكبر الله أكبر
wa li-illaahil-hamd ولله الحمد
alhamdulillaah `alaa maa hadaanaa, wa lahul-shukru `ala maa awlaanaa الحمدلله على ما هدانا و له الشكر على ما اولانا

God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest,
There is no deity but God
and God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest
and to God goes all praise, (We) sing the praises of God because He has shown us the Right Path. (We) gratefully thank Him because He takes care of us and looks after our interests.[5]

Variation:

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر
laa ilaaha illAllaah لا إله إلا الله
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبر
wa li-illaahil-hamd ولله الحمد
Allaahu akbar kabeera wal hamdu lillahi katheera wa sobhana allahi bokratan wa aseela الله أكبر كبيرا والحمد لله كثيرا وسبحان الله بكرة وأصيلا
laa ilaaha illAllaah لا إله إلا الله
Wahdah sadaqa wa’dah wa nasara abdah wa a’aza jondahu wa hazama al-ahzaba wahdah وحده صدق وعده ونصر عبده وأعز جنده وهزم الأحزاب وحده
laa ilaaha illAllaah لا إله إلا الله
wala na’bodu illa iyah mokhliseen lahu aldeena wa law kariha al kafiroon ولا نعبد إلا إياه مخلصين له الدين ولو كره الكافرون
allahomma salli ala sayyidina mohammad wa ala sayyidina mohammad wa ala aal sayyidina mohammad wa ala ashabi sayyidina mohammad wa ala ansari sayyidina mohammad wa ala azwaji sayyidina mohammad wa ala zoriyyati sayyidina mohammadin wa sallim taslimann katheera اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد وعلى آل سيدنا محمد وعلى أصحاب سيدنا محمد وعلى أنصار سيدنا محمد وعلى أزواج سيدنا محمد وعلى ذرية سيدنا محمد وسلم تسليما كثيرا

God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest,
There is no deity but God
God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest
and to God goes all praise
God is the Greatest, all Praise is due to Him, And Glory to God, eventide and in the morning
There is no god, but God the Unique, He has fulfilled His Promise, and made Victorious His servant, and made Mighty His soldiers and defeated the confederates
There is no deity but God
He alone we worship, with sincere and exclusive devotion, even though the infidels hate it
O God, have Mercy on our Prophet Muhammad, and on the family of our Prophet Muhammad, and on the companions of our Prophet Muhammad, and on the helpers of our Prophet Muhammad, and on the wives of our Prophet Muhammad, and on the offspring of our Prophet Muhammad, and Bestow upon them much peace