Muslims prepare for Eid Al-Adha
Dear Saa Nasta readers,
This week is a special time for Muslims who have gone to hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims will also be celebrating Eid Al-Adha. Metro Detroiters can be seen observing this special holiday starting this weekend. Wishing those who celebrate, a peaceful joyful holiday.
With peace,
Nargis
A special day: the Day of Arafah
The 9th day of Dhull Hijjah is the Day of Arafah, a significant day in the Islamic calendar. The day has a historical connection to several prophets in Islam and remains an important day for Muslims who may fast and seek forgiveness from God.
Here’s a special dua to make on the day of Arafah, which is being observed by many tomorrow. And here are a few other duas to make.
Muslims perform hajj, celebrate Eid Al-Adha
This year’s hajj season wraps up this week.
Performing hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam. It’s mandatory for those who can afford it to make the journey at least once in their lifetime. There are two billion Muslims in the world.
Imam Suleiman Hani says people perform hajj as an act of worship to commemorate Prophets Ibrahim and Muhammad.
“It brings together the global Muslim community — usually several million people are there from all corners of the world…and it shows the diversity of the Muslim nation, the Muslim ummah… synchronizing a profound ritual before God,” Hani says.
Hajj takes place during Dhul Hijjah, the 12th Islamic month of the year based on the lunar calendar. During the pilgrimage, people circle around the Kaaba, the Grand Mosque in Mecca, and follow other rituals.
Hani says the rituals symbolize the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice for God.
“He went through the trials he was given to sacrifice everything of this world for God for the Creator. And so this requires us as we’re doing these physical rituals to be connected spiritually, to the meaning behind them,” Hani explains.
Hani says it’s also a time for Muslims to reflect on their willingness to sacrifice to connect with God.
“We believe as Muslims in sacrificing for the sake of God, and that requires us to have self-discipline to be healthy physically, spiritually, and excellent in our character towards other people,” states Hani.
Many Muslims fast during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, considered the holiest days in Islam.
Hani says that people who cannot perform the hajj this year can participate by fasting, increasing charity and sacrificing an animal to distribute its meat to those in need.
“A lot of meat and a lot of food is being donated generously to homeless shelters to different organizations and through different community centers,” Hani states.
Hani says this year Gaza is on the hearts and minds of the Muslim community — along with those in global conflicts — in Sudan, Congo, Kashmir, to the Ughyiurs. He says that it is much more difficult to be joyful on Eid.
Eid Al-Adha, the holiday marks the end of hajj. Muslims celebrate Eid with prayer, visiting family and friends, and sharing food.
Muslims will celebrate the first day of Eid Al Adha on Sunday, June 16th or Monday, June 17th, depending on the moon sighting.
Originally published on wdet.org.