When and How to Celebrate Eid Adha 2021 in Pakistan
Eid Ul Adha (Arab Countries & Followed Regions)
| Event | Date | Hijri Date |
|---|---|---|
| Eid Ul Adha | 20 July 2021 | 10 Zulhijjah 1442 AH |
Eid Ul Adha (Pakistan, India & Followed Countries)
| Event | Date | Hijri Date |
|---|---|---|
| Eid Ul Adha | 21 July 2021 | 10 Zulhijjah 1442 AH |
When is Eid al-Adha?
Known as Eid al-Adha, Eid ul Adha, Id-ul-Azha, Id-ul-Zuha, Hari Raya Haji or Bakr-id; the 'Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.
The festival may also be known as Al Eid Al Kabeer, which means the 'Grand Eid'. It has this more important status as in religious terms as this Eid lasts for four days whereas Eid Al Fitr is one day, even though most countries observe about the same number of public holidays for both Eids.
This festival is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God.
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.
As the exact day is based on lunar sightings, the date may vary between countries.
Traditions of Eid Al Adha
Eid al-Adha concludes the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha lasts for three days and commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son.
The same story appears in the Bible and is familiar to Jews and Christians. One key difference is that Muslims believe the son was Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Eid Al Lahma, which means the 'meat Eid'
According to the Quran, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to make something else as a 'great sacrifice'. In the Old Testament, it is a ram that is sacrificed instead of the son.
In Islam, Ishmael is regarded as a prophet and an ancestor of Muhammad.
During the feast of Eid Al Adha, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim's obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram. The family will eat about a third of the meal a third goes to friends and relatives, and the remaining third is donated to the poor and needy.
Did you know?
In Egypt, the festival is often called Eid Al Lahma, which means the 'meat Eid'.
The giving of charity in the form of money, food or clothes to the homeless or poor is another key tradition of Eid al Adha.
As Abraham’s devotion to God was nothing short of absolute, he took Ismail to the top of Mount Arafah and braced himself to make the ultimate sacrifice. But just as he was about to slaughter Ismail, the archangel Gabriel appeared before the patriarch with a ram in tow. Gabriel then revealed that Abraham’s faith had been vindicated and that the ram was to be sacrificed as a ransom for his son.
Reflecting on Abraham’s obedience, devotion and submission, Muslims around the world have since honored Eid Adha as the Day of Sacrifice. As we draw nearer to the commemoration of this inspiring event, here are the dates, calendar and guide to celebrating Eid Adha 2021.
Eid Adha dates and calendar
This year, Eid Adha, that is Eid ul-Azha, is expected to begin on the evening of Monday, 19 July and go on till the evening of Tuesday, 20 July 2021. The date is subject to change depending on the sighting of the moon of Dhu al-Hijjah, 1442.
Eid Adha public holiday in Pakistan
Eid ul-Adha is celebrated for three straight days in Pakistan. All private and government establishments will remain closed during the festival.
In 2021, the public holiday for Eid Adha is on 21, 22 and 23 July, followed by the weekend.
How is Eid Adha celebrated in Pakistan?
For Pakistanis, the day of Eid Adha starts with morning prayers at the mosques. Muslims meet each with open arms and wish other “Eid Mubaarak” and “Eid Saeed” on this auspicious day.
The main observance of Eid Adha in Pakistan is the symbolic reenactment of Abraham’s obedience by sacrificing a goat, lamb, or ram. Many Muslim families distribute the meat from the sacrificed animal to amongst family, neighbours, friends, as well as the poor, so that all Muslims can enjoy a meat-based meal on this pious day. Sheer khurma, a sweet delicacy made with milk, vermicelli, and dry fruits is another highlight of Eid Adha.
Men, women and children alike wear new clothes and dress up in festive attire to celebrate the occasion with gaiety and fervor. Pakistanis often invite friends and family over to share the meals of Eid. People also make it a point to visit their loved ones and exchange presents
Ibrahim (AS) showed a willingness to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (A.S.) but his son was replaced with a lamb by Allah. Allah was so pleased with Ibrahim’s (A.S.) submission to Him that He made this demonstration of sacrifice and faith a permanent part of a Muslim’s life. This event is mentioned in Quran - Surah As-Saffat (37:102).
Hence, every year on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid ul Azha. On this day, Muslims slaughter a lamb, sheep, goat or a camel to honor the sacrifice of Ibrahim (AS).
Both Eid ul Fitr and Eid Al-Adha have great significance in Islam as the same is evident from the following Hadith of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.):
“Allah has given you better than those feasts (festivals of non-believers): the ‘Eid-ul-Adha’ and ‘Eid-ul-Fitr.’”
(An-Nasai: 1556)
Fasting on Eid al-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr are strictly forbidden as the same is obvious from the following Hadith of our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.):
"No fasting is permissible on the two days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 1995)
Celebration of Eid al Adha
Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al Adha for two to four days (depending on the country). However, there are some Sunnah which every Muslim should follow while celebrating this great festival.
Sunnahs of Eid al Adha and Eid Prayer
1- Wake up early in the morning.
2- Clean your teeth with Miswak or a brush.
3- Take a bath.
4- You should wear your best clothes on this day.
5- Apply perfume.
6- Refrain from eating before the Eid prayer.
7- Recite the Takbir of Tashriq in a loud voice while going for Eid prayer.
اَللهُ Ø£َÙƒْبَرُ ، اَللهُ Ø£َÙƒْبَرُ، اَللهُ Ø£َÙƒْبَرُ، Ù„َا Ø¥ِÙ„َÙ‡َ Ø¥ِÙ„َّا اللهُ ، Ùˆَاللهُ Ø£َÙƒْبَرُ، اَللهُ Ø£َÙƒْبَرُ، ÙˆَÙ„ِÙ„َّÙ‡ِ الْØَÙ…ْدُ
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allahu akbar laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar, Allaah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd
(Allah is Most Great, Allaah is most Great, Allah is most Great there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most great, Allaah is most great, and to Allaah be praise)
(Irwa Al Ghalil: 3 / 125)
8- Listen to Sermon (Khutba) after offering Eid prayer. (An-Nasai: 1517)
9- Use different ways while going to mosque and returning after offering Eid Prayer. (Sahih Bukhari: 986)
Eid Prayer
The scholars differed concerning the ruling on Eid prayers. However, all Muslim should attend prayers of both Eids as most scholars, on the basis of strong evidence, is of opinion that it is Wajib (obligation). Apart from prayer, the Eid sermon (after Eid Prayer) has also been made an integral part of this gathering and the prayer.
1- The time for Eid Prayer begins from the time the sun is three meters above the horizon until the sun reaches its meridian. However, it is better to offer the prayer in the early hours after the sunrise. (Abu Dawud: 1135)
2- Eid Prayer is performed without any ‘Iqmah’ or ‘Athan’. [Sahih Muslim: 885 (b)]
3- Eid prayer consists of two Rak'at (Two Unit Prayer) during which Tabkeer (Allah-u-Akbar) is announced seven times. (Abu Dawud: 1149)
4- Rest of the Eid prayer is same as other prayer offered daily.
5- After completing the prayer, it is Sunnah (some scholars say that it is Wajib) to listen to the Sermon (Khutbah) after Eid Prayer. So one should stay for Imam’s sermon to end after completing the Eid Prayer.
After listening to the sermon, Muslims congratulate each other with greetings such as ‘Eid Mubarak’, ‘Happy Eid, and عيد مبارك etc. However, the most common Eid Greeting Muslims like to wish their friends and fellow Muslims with ‘Eid Mubarak’.
0 Comments