Bakra Eid - Story of Ultimate Sacrifice

If I may ask, which festival is your favourite? Since India is a country full of dynamic festivals, I’m sure the answers would differ. However, I’m sure that some readers would have a greater butterfly effect reading about this festival and the story behind it. This festival is one of the two biggest festivals celebrated in the Muslim community. This is the Bakra Eid.

Eid. Illustrated by Pratham Mittal: Visual Storyteller at ThisDay

Bakra Eid to Muslims is like Diwali to Hindus or like Baisakhi to the Sikhs. For those who are unaware, these are some of the most important and well-known festivals held throughout the year. Yes, the significance may be different for different people, but these festivals are still considered to be on top of the list when it comes to their celebrations. Now, the main ritual that happens at this festival is given out by its name ‘Bakra Eid’. The ritual is as famous in India and amongst the Muslims as much as the La Tomatino festival in Spain.

What is the first thought that comes to mind when you hear the term "Bakra Eid"? Bakra means sheep or goat (the animal), and Eid refers to the name of the main festival. The word Bakra is added before the name of the main festival as there are two different types of Eid in a year, and both are considered equally important. Bakra Eid or as said, in other words, Bakrid, is the latter of the two to occur on the tenth day of Dhu al-hijjah. The former of the two is Eid al-Fitr or Eid ul-Fitr. This occurs on the first day after the month of Ramzan. Since this is an Islamic festival, the actual name of the festival is Eid-al-Adha or Eid-ul-Adha. Eid al-Adha means ‘the feast of the sacrifice’. Many of you might think this name is given to the festival as the ritual involves sacrificing a bakra and making it a feast. However, that’s not the complete or the actual story behind the name and the ritual of the festival. One of the preliminaries of Ibrahim's life was to confront the order of Allah which required him to kill his dearest child. As indicated by the Quran, Ibrahim continued having bad dreams that he was giving the sacrifice of his child Ismail, the child of Hajira. Ibrahim, on realizing that this was an order from the Almighty, decided to reveal what was going on to his child. As stated in the Quran, "Oh son, I keep dreaming that I am slaughtering you", to which Ismail 'replied, "Father, do what you are ordered to do." Ibrahim arranged to submit to the desire of Allah and prepared to do the sacrifice of his child as a demonstration of trust and dutifulness to Allah. During the process, Shaytaan, or in other words, the devil, enticed Ibrahim and his family by attempting to prevent them from completing the sacrifice for Allah. However, Ibrahim sent the Satan away by tossing rocks at him. In recognition of their dismissal of Satan, stones are tossed at significant points that are symbolic of support. This is what came to be known as the ‘Stoning of the Devil during Hajj rites.’ Recognizing that Ibrahim was able to perform what was asked of him to prove his trust and loyalty to the Almighty, Allah regarded both Ibrahim and Ismail. Holy messenger Gabriel referred to Ibrahim as "O' Ibrahim, you have satisfied the disclosures." and a sheep from paradise was presented to al-Adha to honor both the commitment of Ibrahim and the endurance of Ismail. This story not only tells us the backstory of this festival but the presence of the devil as well as the angel. It also tells us that, Allah as the Almighty shows that all the cultures and the stories about different gods are somehow connected, which is something very proud. Meat alongside a lot of other things is prepared for the relatives and family members as a part of the feast on the day of Eid. Some parts of the meat are cooked and consumed by the family. The rest of it is distributed to the needy and homeless people.

Doing good for others in terms of charity or offering food, is an image of one’s unadulterated soul for mankind, and this thought leads the Muslims likewise to give cash and basics to the needy. It is on this day that we see around two lakh people get together, irrespective of their color, caste, or anything else, get dressed in white, and pray together at the holiest places all around the country and the world. This five-day journey every year of Hajj, where the whole country becomes one to celebrate and share, is a beautiful one.

The goats and sheep are worshipped before they are butchered for the sacrifice; Source: The Wall Street Journal

‘Thousands of people gathered together for Namaz for praying and celebrations; Source: The Hindustan

Bakra Eid to Muslims is like Diwali to Hindus or like Baisakhi to the Sikhs. For those who are unaware, these are some of the most important and well-known festivals held throughout the year. Yes, the significance may be different for different people, but these festivals are still considered to be on top of the list when it comes to their celebrations.

Now, the main ritual that happens at this festival is given out by its name ‘Bakra Eid’. The ritual is as famous in India and amongst the Muslims as much as the La Tomatino festival in Spain.

The goats and sheep are worshipped before they are butchered for the sacrifice; Source: The Wall Street Journal

‘Thousands of people gathered together for Namaz for praying and celebrations; Source: The Hindustan