Eid-ul-Adha: Pilgrimage of Sacrifice

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

What is Eid-ul-Adha?
Eid-ul-Adha marks the end of Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to the holy city Mecca. It's customary for every able Muslim (as prescribed in the Five Pillars of Islam) to go on a Hajj at least once during his lifetime. This Muslim holiday Eid-ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Abraham's unselfish act of sacrificing his own son Ishmael to the One God, Allah.

When is it?
Eid-ul-Adha begins from the 10th day of the 12th Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah. But the date of Eid-ul-Adha depends on the visibility of the moon each year.

What is the significance of Hajj?

• Hajj at a glance
• Purpose of the Hajj rituals
• Who qualify for Hajj

Its Background History:
The faithful Abraham was instructed by Allah in a dream to raise the foundations of Kaaba, a black stone, the most sacred Muslim shrine in Mecca (Saudi Arabia), which the Muslims face during their prayers (salat). Immediately responding to the Lord's call, Abraham set off for Mecca along with his wife and son, Ishmael.

In a divine dream, he also saw himself sacrificing his son Ishmael for Allah's sake. Ishmael asked his father to carry out the Lord's commands; he was completely ready to give up his life for God. But miraculously enough, when Abraham was about to sacrifice Ishmael, Allah spared the boy's life and replaced him with a lamb. And this is what Abraham ultimately sacrificed.

To commemorate this outstanding act of sacrifice (qurbani) by Prophet Abraham, people sacrifice a lamb, goat, ram or any other animal on Eid-ul-Adha and give the meat to friends, neighbors, relatives and the needy.
Get a detailed version of the story here.

Did You Know:

• Eid-ul-Adha is known by different names in different parts of the world.
• In South East Asia it is called Hari Raya Aidiladha.
• In Singapore, it is called Hari Raya Haji.
• In Malaysia, it is called Id al-Adha and has made it a national holiday there.
• Indians know Eid-ul-Adha as Id al-Adha or Idu'z Zuha.
• In Bangladesh, Eid-ul-Adha is known as Eid-ul-Azha or Id al-Adha.
• Whatever the name, its celebratory spirit runs high among all Muslims.

Idulfitri

"Ramadaan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'aan as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)" - Surah Al Baqarah 2:185

Abu Hurairah (radhiallâhu ânhu) reported that Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. said,

"Ramadaan has come to you - a blessed month. Allah has made obligatory upon you its fasting. In it, the gates of Heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has been deprived." (reported by Ahmad and An-Nasaa'ee. See Ahmad Shaakir's checking of the Musnad (no. 7148) and Saheeh At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb of Al-Albaanee (1490) as well as Tamaam-ul-Mannah (395).
The hadeeth is a glad tiding to the righteous servants of Allah S.W.T, of the coming of the blessed month of Ramadaan. The Prophet SAW informed his companions of its coming and it was not just a simple relaying of news. Rather, his intent was to give them the glad tidings of a magnificent time of the year, so that the righteous people who are quick to do deeds can give it its due estimate. This is because the Prophet SAW explained in it (the hadeeth) what Allah Ta'ala has prepared for His servants from the ways towards gaining forgiveness and His contentment and they are many ways. So whosoever has forgiveness escape from him during the month of Ramadaan, then he has been deprived with the utmost deprivation.

Being able to reach Ramadaan is a magnificent bounty in itself, bestowed upon the one who reaches it and rises to its occasion, by standing in prayer during its night and fasting during its day. In it, he returns to his Protector -- from disobeying Him to obeying Him, from neglecting Him to remembering Him, from remaining distant from Him to turning towards Him in submissive repentance.

A Muslim must be conscious of this bounty and acknowledge its magnitude. For indeed, many people are prevented from fasting, either because they die before they reach it or because they are not capable of observing it or because they oppose and turn away from it. Thus, the one who fasts must give praise to his Lord for this bounty and should welcome this month with the joy and delight that a magnificent time of the year out of all the occasions for performing obedience is welcomed.

He should exert himself deeply in doing good deeds. And he should invoke Allaah to grant him fasting and standing in night prayer and that He provide him with seriousness, enthusiasm, strength and energy in that month. And that He awaken him from heedless oversleeping so that he may take advantage of these virtuous times of good. (Excerpts from "The Approach of Ramadaan by Sheikh Abdullaah ibn Salih al-Fawzaan)

However, there are questions we should ask ourselves as Ramadaan draws nears - questions such as, what does Ramadaan mean to us personally? What are our plans for this Ramadaan?

How do we attain taqwaa and tazkiyah?
Below are some excellent advice by Ustaadz Ayub Hamid in answer to the above questions entitled: "Ramadaan: What does it mean to you?" "My Plans for this Ramadaan" and "Having Taqwaa, Attaining Tazkiyah" - inshaa'Allah, you will find them beneficial.

Ramadaan: What does it mean to you?
Success, in whatever we do depends on how clear we are on the objectives we want to achieve and how well we plan for it. What does Ramadaan mean to you? Does it mean more to you than, for example, going for a vacation or excursion? Are you mentally and psychologically ready to attain all the goodness Ramadaan has to offer? Are you then spending enough time and taking pains to plan how you can get the most benefit from the opportunity

Ramadaan affords you?
Some people do plan for Ramadaan but that planning is only to the extent of who to invite for Iftaar and what special foods to prepare or how to get the best deal on dates? But is this the type of outcome that is the objective of Ramadaan?

Objectives of Ramadaan are:
* to increase our Taqwaa * to make us more charitable, and * to strengthen our knowledge of the Holy Qur'aan.

So, what are the action plans you want to undertake during Ramadaan so that when it departs, you have seen significant growth in your Taqwaa, you are more giving and more tuned to the Qur'aan?

Ramadaan is a wonderful opportunity to help us fine tune our normal patterns of behaviour thereby changing us for the better. We can ask ourselves the question: What areas of our personality, attitude, behaviour, daily routines and lifestyle, etc. do we need to change to bring us closer to the Islamic standard?

What aspect of your life have you decided to improve on during this Ramadaan and what are your plans for achieving this change?

We all need many changes and many improvements. None of us is perfect and our list of proposed improvements can be exceedingly long if we were being honest with ourselves. Naturally, one cannot pick a big list and work on all those areas in one month. The best approach is to pick one or two aspects of your personality where the change is needed most importantly and then, devise a plan to make some defined improvements in those areas this Ramadaan.

Success in making the change would make you a winner this Ramadaan and the month will be one of great triumph and blessings for you.

If you have decided to make this a meaningful and triumphant Ramadaan by identifying areas requiring improvement and if you have prepared a plan of action, may Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala assist you and bless you for taking this step in your life.

My Plans for this Ramadaan
While remembering Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala in many other ways, I will more frequently ask for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala's mercy:
- in the first 10 days of Ramaadan (Yaa Hayyu Yaa Qayyoomu, bi-rahmatika astagheethu),
- invoke Allaah's forgiveness in the second 10 days (astaghfirullaah-al-Azeem-alladzi laa ilaaha illaa Huwa-al
  Hayyu-l-Qayyoomu wa atoobu ilayh), and
- seek salvation from the Fire in the last 10 days (Rabbanaa aatinaa fi-ddunyaa hasanatanwa fil-aakhirati
  hasanatanwa qinaa adzaab-annaar).
- During the last 10 nights, I will frequent the du'a: Allaahumma innaka 'afuwwun, tuhibbul 'afwa, fa'fu 'annee.

Having Taqwaa, Attaining Tazkiyah
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala commands:

"O Believers! Adopt Taqwaa of Allaah; watch what each of you provides for Tomorrow (Hereafter);
and again, maintain Taqwa of Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is aware of what you do. And do not be like those who forgot Allaah, and as a consequence, He caused them to forget their souls (their own well-being)." (Al-Hashr 59:18-19)

The attitude and approach of a Muslim towards the affairs of life that distinguishes him from a non-Muslim is called Taqwaa. It is a paradigm shift resulting from a continual awareness, remembrance and consciousness of Allaah brought about by a true faith in Allaah (Eeman).

Taqwaa is an attitude of keeping one's duty to Allah and a paradigm of care, caution and avoidance in:
· Being willing, eager and careful to fulfill one's duties to Allah in every aspect of life.
· Being conscious of our accountability to Allah and being mindful that He is well aware of all our actions,
  intentions, thoughts and behaviours.
· Being cautious not to get involved in anything that is prohibited or leads to something that is prohibited by
  Allah.
· Being particular about maintaining a lifestyle that will avoid incurring the displeasure or punishment of Allah.

As per the paraphrased discussion between Ubayy Bin Ka?ab and Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them) Taqwaa is: Living one's life as carefully as one holds his clothes closer to his body while passing through a dense jungle of thorny bushes in order to protect his clothes from being caught in any of the thorns.

To capture all the aspects of Taqwaa in translation is difficult. Hence, different scholars have translated Taqwaa as being God conscious, keeping one's duty to Allaah, or fearing Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. In fact, Taqwaa is all these things.

Taqwaa is the source of all virtues and goodness. It is the catalyst that reforms a person from inside. Once a person's paradigm shifts genuinely towards Taqwaa, he embarks on a path of continuous self-improvement. He monitors his own thoughts, motives and actions to ensure that they remain pure and aligned with the guidance of Islam. He becomes motivated, eager and enthusiastic to do good, or rather excel, in his ethics, morals, dealings, human relations, and every aspect of his conduct in day to day life. He tries his best to avoid any bad behaviour in any affairs of life. Good actions please him. Mistakes give him anxiety, in which case he immediately repents, seeks Allaah's forgiveness and makes up for them by doing more good.

He loves Allaah's creations and cares for them. He becomes generous, gracious, forgiving and kind. He becomes a champion for the rights of the weak, neglected, disadvantaged and persecuted people of the society. He courageously stands up and struggles for the establishment of justice, fairness, equity and equality of all people. He dedicates himself selflessly, never expecting or accepting any thing or any benefit in return because his goal is Allaah's pleasure, mercy and forgiveness.

This process of ongoing, continuous self-improvement in terms of one's thoughts, motives and actions regarding all affairs of one?s life is called Tazkiah (Purification). Thus, true faith makes a person continually remember Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala with love and awe. This all results in an attitude of Taqwaa which, if properly understood and adopted, results in purification (Tazkiah). The result is a person at his/her best ? the best a human being can be. For such a person, the good news is: "Successful is indeed he who purifies." (Al-A'alaa 87:14)

Given the depth as well as the sublimity of the Qur'aanic text, a faithful translation of it into another language is virtually impossible. The various translations that exists today, however accurate they may be, cannot be designated as the Qur'aan, since they can never hope to imitate the diction or the style of the Book of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. But as translation is one of the few ways to export the message of the Qur'aan to allow those lacking in knowledge of Arabic to share this priceless gift, it becomes a duty for those in a position to fulfill this task.
Truly, "The power of iman is such that once it fills the heart of a true believing Mu'min it is impossible to be removed." (Sahih Bukhari)

Czechoslovakian Converts to Islam

Key Extracts:

"A former atheist, I rejected God's possible existence. It was only in my thirties, when, through my interest in science, all-of-a-sudden it dawned on me that even a brick wall cannot happen by accident. So, if all of the natural laws in the universe fit together so amazingly precisely, it cannot be a product of chance but it must have been created by God. And God must be only ONE.

I bought an English translation of the Quran (by N.J. Dawood, which in fact isn't the best). I started reading it... By the time I reached about a third, I was very impressed and commented to my wife about how smart Muhammad must have been. It was all so very logical, with no contradictions.

After that, I came suddenly across some scientific facts which took my breath away. I knew for sure that these were only discovered during the 20th century. As Muhammad could not have known them, he must have been a prophet and a messenger, as it was instantly clear to me that the Quran could only come from God."

Source: Journey to Islam

British turning to Islam
Source: The Times, 9th November 1993

Key Extracts
"Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. said, "The light of Islam will rise in the West" and that is what is happening now. Western converts are coming to Islam with fresh eyes, without all the habits ofthe East, avoiding much of what is culturally wrong. The purest tradition isfinding itself strongest in the West," says Aliya Haeri, an American-born psychologist who converted 15 years ago.

Westerners despairing of their own society -- rising in crime, family breakdown, drugs and alcoholism -- have come to admire the discipline and security of Islam. Many converts are former Christians disillusioned by the uncertainty of the church and unhappy with the concept of the Trinity and deification of Jesus. They found intellectual satisfaction in Islam.

"I was a theology student and it was the academic argument that led to my conversion."Under Islam, the sins of the fathers aren't visited on the sons. The idea that God is not always forgiving is blasphemous to Muslims,"said Rose Kendrick, a religious education teacher who also objected to the concept of the original sin.

Maimuna, 39, was raised as a High Anglican and confirmed at 15 at the peak of her religious devotion. "I was entranced by the ritual of the High Church and thought about taking the veil. My belief came back stronger, but not for the Church". She researched every Christian denomination, Judaism, Buddhism and Krishna Consciousness, before turning to Islam.

Many converts from Christianity reject the ecclesiastical hierarchy emphasizing Muslims' direct relationship with God. They sense a lack of leadership in the Church of England and are suspicious of its apparent flexibility.

Huda Khattab, 28, author of The Muslim Woman's Handbook, published this year by Ta-Ha said, "Christianity changes, like the way some have said premarital sex is okay if its with the person you're going to marry. It seems so wishy-washy. Islam was constant about sex, about praying five times a day. The prayer makes you conscious of God all the time. You're continually touching base."

"The knowledge of the hypocrite is in his speech, yet the knowledge of the believer is in his actions"

Reverts
Noble Qur'an - Luqmaan 31:14, 15
And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.

But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.

Hadith - Bukhari (#24), Muslim, Dawud, and Ahmad
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas said, "Four verses in the Qur'an were revealed concerning me. My mother had sworn an oath not to eat or drink until I had part company with Muhammad .

So Allah [swt] revealed: "But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do." [The Noble Qur'an - Luqman 31:15]

Hadith - Bukhari (#25), Muslim, and Dawud
Asma' bint Abi Bakr, said, "My mother (who has not yet embraced Islam) visited me in order to restore good relations after the Prophet's treaty (of Hudaybiyah). I asked the Prophet if I should have anything to do with her.

And he replied, 'Yes.'

"Allah revealed the following concerning her: "Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity." [The Noble Qur'an 60:8] Reverts should invite their family members to Islam

Read the details here

"The new revert retains the blessings for all good deeds performed before reversion to Islam! Yet past sins upon embracing Islam are forgiven!" - Quran & Sunnah

The Heart of a Muslim Is Rediscovered
By D. Jacqueline Cosens (Jumaana Salma Amatullah), 14 April 2004

Key excerpts
Always curious and filled with tremendous conviction to find out "Who" my Creator was and what my existence and purpose was on earth, I began searching various doctrines in a quest that would last for decades. Covering the assorted divisions in Christianity, and still unfulfilled, I progressed through many other beliefs: Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. Atheism crossed my mind. That, in itself frightened me, as it certainly makes no sense when one looks at the reality of the universe around him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there were no Creator, then there seemed to be no genuine purpose in living…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One day, I was watching talk-show host Phil Donahue interview with a Muslim convert, a white American woman. So much of what she talked about was exactly the way I had believed and how I had lived... Everything in life has a prescribed timing. That day, it became the first time in my life that I was to hear about Islam... there was a serious conviction growing deep within my soul. Muslims worshipped the Creator, not a man and I liked that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My heart or my soul, something within me, was being drawn to listen…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I got my copy of the Quran, it was at that moment that I embraced Islam. Everything, every word, every explanation, every answer I read suited me. I had found my Creator's wishes, commands, and the reason for living. I absolutely believed that Allah would direct my steps in whatever way He chooses.

By remaining in submission to Him, I have discovered a new harmony to my life. What I do know is that I have finally found the Way, not just knowledge of it like the many times before, but now, deep inside, I found what had always been the part of me that seemed to be missing: The Heart of a Muslim.

Read the details here.
Courtesy of The National Geographic Society ©
Source: Journey to islam

The Texan Who Found Allah

By Chris Irwin, 7 October 2003

Key Excerpts
Islam reaches the hearts of people even if they live in a desolate cave in the wilderness, or in the polar ice caps, or the middle of the densest jungles. Everywhere there is Allah's majesty.

One day, I picked up some books that my grandfather had given me. One was a history book called Early Islam. I started to read it, though I immediately hated it because I thought the Muslims hated Jews and Christians. I thought it was the Devil's religion. As I continued reading, I learnt that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) received a vision from the angel Gabriel, just like the prophets of the Old Testament. The way in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) received the revelation while his reaction seemed so sincere, realistic, and modest at the same time opened my heart a little.

I then read a biased version of his life story, but it still showed the great accomplishment he did and key things that made me realize that this man, after receiving a revelation from Gabriel and spreading the message of One God while still confirming the message of the prophets of old, seemed to have accomplished more than both Jesus and King David (upon them both be peace) together. I was hooked. I then surfed and found a very important thing on the Internet: the Qur'an is compatible with science and modern knowledge. After this, I knew I had to become Muslim.

Read the details here.
Source:Journeytoislam@islam-online.net

Dutch Woman Embraces Islam `Live'

By Nasreddine Djebbi, IOL Correspondent THE HAGUE , 9 October 2005

Key excerpts
Meranda Houtenbos, a Dutch, asked the presenter on Nio radio (a Muslim-oriented radion in Netherlands) to make public her reversion with the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in the northwestern European country. The 26-year-old woman was invited to the program to opine on Islam and Muslims in view of spreading stereotypes fueled by media and the rightists.

Raised Catholic, Houtenbos said she started reading about the Muslim faith after it had come under the spotlight in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

"I preferred reading to giving my ear to media. My Muslim friends have made the task easier for me and gave me books written by trustworthy scholars. It was also thanks to a mosque nearby, whose imam has answered many of my questions. There is no Compulsion. I embraced Islam out of my own volition. ," she said.

She touched on clashes with her family over the new religion and how they tried hard to convince her to backtrack on her decision. "Of course I feel alienated from my family, and my parents refused to cope with this new reality."

Did you know:

• Radio Nio took to the airwaves on September 4 as a special service for Dutch Muslims.
• It was estimated that one million out of 16 million Dutch are Muslim.
• Dutch Muslims have established over the past 30 years.
• Today, at least one Dutch reverts to Islam monthly.

Read the details here.

German Pop Singer Discovers Islam

"I found my destination in tolerant and peaceful Islam and was born again," said Kandemir.

By Ahmed Al-Matboli, IOL Correspondent BERLIN, 17 October 2005

Key excerpts of her conversion
Famed German pop singer Hülya Kandemir released a book, which is a personal reflection on how Islam fulfilled her spiritually.

"I found my destination in tolerant and peaceful Islam and was born again despite the recent wave of hatred and animosity towards the Muslim faith across Europe," Turkish-born Kandemir told the Web site of the Supreme Council of Muslims in Germany in an interview.

"All divine religions are invoking virtue, but what I liked most about Islam is that it strongly calls for struggling against the self and damping down evil and corporeal desires."

When Kandemir started praying, she felt an overwhelming joy."Words are unable to express how I felt when I start praying. I became preoccupied with one and only thing: how to get closer to God and utterly left behind my past life as a pop singer. I stressed in my book that there was no compulsion in religion as stated by the Noble Qur'an as people are free to choose," she said.

She also highlighted the characteristics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and how he should be taken as a role model for all Muslims. "I described how merciful the prophet was with the orphans, women and children."

Did you know:
- There are some 3.4 million Muslims in Germany
- Two thirds of the Muslims are of Turkish origin.
- Islam comes third in Germany after Protestant and Catholic Christianity.

Read the details here.

An Austrian Scientist Discovers Islam

By Amina Islam, 26 October 2005

Key excerpts
A good Qur'an translation by Murad Hofmann, a German ambassador, who converted to Islam earlier, reflected my idea of God and the world. I found extensive conformity with the "old testament" and in the "new testament" with the gospel of Jesus, but without the church-made dogma that Jesus is regarded as son of God.

The holy Qur'an confirmed not only my idea about God and the world, but all his statements, e.g. about natural sciences, did obviously not contradict the reality. I was allowed and even encouraged to use my logic!

The "Bible, Qur'an and Natural Sciences" by Maurice Bucaille , proves that all scientific statements in the holy Qur'an are in consent with the latest research, and the "Gospel of Barnabas", where Jesus announces the prophet Muhammad and refuses to be revered as God, opened my eyes.

I discovered that Islam is not a new religion, but a "re-animation" of the roots and the essential of the old religions of the Jews and Christians, with the first Muslim Abraham as the father of all monotheistic religions and with the same prophets, including Jesus.

The last prophet Muhammad—not accepted by the other religions—was used by Allah to repeat the old truth again and to announce new regulations. The holy Qur'an must be God's revelation and Muhammad his messenger! If this is the truth and I believe this, I have to accept the holy Qur'an as a whole including the law.

Read the details here.

A Mexican Catholic Embraced Islam

H.G. Reza, Los Angeles Times, 29 Octoboer 2005
Below are the key excerpts:

Marta Khadija Ramirez
Imagine the difficulty of a Latina steeped in Roman Catholic tradition trying to explain Islam to her family in 1983. And imagine that one of her sisters is a Catholic nun.

"Islam was unknown in Mexico then. It wasn't easy for my family to accept my decision. My sister the nun was blaming herself for not teaching me enough about Catholicism," said Khadija, the youngest of 11 sisters raised on a ranch south of Mexico City and now a nurse who lives in Los Angeles.

Arwa Ayloush
Arwa Ayloush converted in 1991 while attending the University of Texas, said her parents' initial apprehension about her new religion stemmed from "fear of the unknown."

"You just left Laredo and now you're a Muslim. What happened to you, girl?" is how Ayloush, raised a Jehovah's Witness, described her family's reaction to her conversion. Over time, the families of Khadija and Ayloush, a kindergarten teacher living in Corona, accepted their Muslim identities.

Despite the differences that many U.S. Christians believe separate them from Muslims, both sides have much in common, Ayloush and the others said.

"The theological differences are there, but they shouldn't be a fence that separates us. They should be a bridge instead. I'm a Little League mom. I'm there cheering for my kids who play sports, like the other moms. The only thing that's really different about me is the hijab."

Did you know that the Los Angeles Latino Muslim Association:

• Was founded in 1999.
• Has an outreach program to introduce Islam to Latinos living in the city.
• Meets at the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles.
• Breaks their fast together at Vermont Avenue facility on Sundays during Ramadhan.
• Also meet at the Masjid Omar, a mosque in Los Angeles.
• Runs Luz del Islam Publishing in Culver City.
• Distributes a Spanish translation of the Koran at Latino book fairs.
• Sponsors mosque tour.
• Provides speakers to Latino student groups at area colleges.

Read the details here.

Other related links:
More Hispanic Women Converting to Islam
Latino Women Finding a Place in Islam