Id-ul-Zuha (Arabic) or Bakrid is a Muslim festival of sacrifice which is celebrated not only in India but all over the country also. On this day, Muslim people sacrifice a goat to memorialize the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who agreed to slaughter his only son ( Ismail ) for God's sake with no hesitation. The Muslim festival of sacrifice is celebrated with traditional fervor and cheerfulness in India .
Legend
According to Islamic belief, this sacrifice is a tribute of Hazrat Ibrahim Allaisalam who has been a great Prophet. He had a great test of his submission to Allah, who asked him to sacrifice the person who is the dearest to him. Hazrat Ibrahim felt that his son Ismail is the one who is dearest to him so he decided to sacrifice his though h e agreed to do so with no doubt but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So he became blindfolded before putting Ismail on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca . When the great religious leader was on the point of the bringing the sword to his son's throat, suddenly a goat came there, threw the boy aside and stood in place of his son and was slaughtered by Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim who was blindfold that time and his son was safe and sound. When he removed his bandage after performing the act, he saw his son alive, standing in front of him. On the altar lay a slaughtered goat.
Afterwards it was a revealed to him that the implement was purely a test only of his faith and trust in Allah. This festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage In Mecca It also marks the completion of Haj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
Rituals
On Bakrid, the Muslims go to the mosques in the morning to offer prayers to Allah, and then sacrifice the animal at home. The two-thirds part of the meat is distributed among relatives, friends, neighbors and the poor. A full-grown camel, cow, goat or sheep, free from any disease, is sacrificed. If the animal is diseased, it can not be sacrificed. Bakrid is also a day for feasting and visiting friends to say Id Mubarak On this day, special 'Dua' is recited by thousands of Muslims for serenity and affluence.
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