Eid ul-Adha 2022, Holidays, Preparation and Food

Eid ul Adha Mubarak

The Arabic term Eid is called a "feast or festival." Each year, Muslims celebrate two main
Eids: Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha, with zeal and enthusiasm. Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on the Ist Shawal after Ramadan and Eid-ul-Adha on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.

Many Muslims believe that Eid-ul-Adha, "the Feast of Sacrifice," is celebrated in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice and to mark the completion of the Hajj. 

"Hajj" is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca performed by those Muslims who can afford it because it is compulsory for those who are physically and financially capable of doing it. Eid ul Adha comes after Hajj, and it begins as soon as the new moon is sighted. 

 The Purpose Of Celebrating Eid ul-Adha 

The celebration of Qurbani Eid, or Eid ul Adha, honors Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) devotion to Allah (SWT) and the completion of the Hajj. The Prophet (Ibrahim) sacrificed his son, the Prophet Ismail, to Allah. According to the Quran and Islamic history, Prophet Ibrahim saw in a dream that Allah (SWT) ordered Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail (AS). The Prophet Ibrahim (AS) consented to obey the directives of his Creator and brought his son to Mount Arafat. On Mount Arafat, Prophet Ibrahim told his son Ismail (AS) about the dream and informed him that Allah (SWT) had ordained him to sacrifice Ismail, and Ismail (AS) accepted what Allah ordered. At Ismail's (AS) request, he shackled his wrists and feet and covered his own eyes to avoid seeing his son's pain while sacrificing. When the task was over, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) took off his blindfold to discover Ismail's dead body, but he found Ismail was standing next to him uninjured. In appreciation of Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) total and undivided allegiance to Him, Allah (SWT) graciously saved Ismail's (AS) life. 

Therefore, Muslims honor Ibrahim's (AS) devotion by sacrificing animals and helping the poor. Muslims who are capable of doing animal (Qurbani) sacrificial can do it because sacrification (Qurbani) is an obligation, and we have to perform it for Allah (SWT). It can be done by following some rules like: the sacrification of animals can only be made within three days of Eid ul Adha and after Eid prayer. The sacrificed animal must have three shares: keep one share for yourself, the second for the needy and poor, and the third share for relatives and friends.

 Animal Sacrification and Its Shares

Muslims can sacrifice halal animals like cows, buffalos, calves, goats, camels, and sheep. There is a fixed number of shares for each Qurbani animal. It shows that one Muslim's Qurbani equals one sheep or goat, while larger animals like cows, camels, and buffalos can have even more shares. Therefore, to fulfill their Qurbani responsibilities, up to seven Muslims may each contribute to the price of a single larger animal. 

Some people can purchase an animal and slaughter it to symbolize Prophet Ismail's "offering," whether it be a camel, cow, buffalo, goat, or sheep. Others will merely purchase a significant quantity of meat from the supermarket. 

Eid al-Adha Holidays in Different Countries 

Islamic festivals are based on the lunar calendar, and as a result, many important events, including Eid ul-Adha, Ramadan, and Eid ul-Fitr, have varying dates every year. The lunar calendar is around 11 days shorter than the solar calendar and is followed by many people worldwide. Beginning on the tenth day of the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah, Eid lasts for three days. This year in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and other Eastern countries, Eid ul Adha is supposed to fall on Saturday, July 10, 2022 (dependent on moon sightings and the area where you live). These Eid dates may vary depending on moon sightings. 

In Gulf and Western countries like the UK, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Yemen, the Eid al-Adha holidays are supposed to begin on Friday, July 8 (9 Dhul-Hijjah). On July 8, 2022 ( 9 Dhul-Hijjah), is Haj Day (Arfat Day), which is a public holiday in Muslim countries and finishes on Tuesday, July 12 (13 Dhu al-Hijjah), depending on the moon sighting. 

In Saudi Arabia, the government sector will have the Eid al-Adha holidays from Monday, 5 Dhu al-Hijjah (July 4), to Thursday, 15 Dhu al-Hijjah (July 14). In Algeria, Sudan, and Lebanon, the Eid al-Adha holiday lasts from Friday (9 Dhu al-Hijjah), which corresponds to July 8, to Tuesday, July 12 (13 Dhu al-Hijjah).

Eid Celebrations

Muslim imitate The Prophet Muhammad's conduct on religious holidays and at significant Muslim events. They perform many Sunnah acts of worship on the day of Eid. They offer Eid prayers at their neighborhood mosque on both Eids before celebrating the day with their loved ones. When Muslims gather for the Eid prayer, they frequently congratulate one another by saying, "Have a blessed Eid," or "Eid Mubarak." Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha with their loved ones, friends, neighbors, and the entire Muslim community, and they cook and eat delicious cuisine and spend time with friends, family, and other loved ones.

Muslims celebrate their events according to a variety of customs. On Eid day, Muslims gather at the neighborhood mosques, where their day starts with early morning prayers and a sermon. Muslim men, women, and kids put on newly purchased clothing and shoes, and the ladies wear jewelry and other ornaments. They visit friends and relatives, celebrate sizable feasts with a lot of meat, and give Eidi to kids and the less fortunate so they can feast as well. 

Asia's Biggest Livestock Market

Before Eid, Muslims buy animals for sacrifice by following Prophet Ibrahim. They buy animals from livestock markets and slaughter them on Eid. In Pakistan, you can witness liveliness and luminosity on people's faces. Here, you can see entertaining livestock and their sellers, and the Karachi livestock market is considered Asia's most famous and huge market. In Pakistan, animals in livestock markets have different patterns and ornaments on their bodies. People can see camels with henna-dyed etched into their hair, bulls with floral garlands around their necks and backs, and sheep with colorful yarn harnesses that cover their faces. These animals have different names and other artwork on their bodies, making them attractive to their customers. 

Foods: Try Something New This Eid

On Eid ul Adha, you will have plenty of meat to prepare several delicious dishes. Below are some well-known recipes from various cultures that you might try this Eid. 

• Meat kebabs or Meat Balls (Chapli kebab, Gola Kebab, Peshawari Charsi Kebab, Nargasi Kofta, Haryali Kebab, Kalmi Kebab,Galouti Kebab, Sekh Kebab)
• Mutton, beef, or chicken Karahi (Lahori Karahi, Peshawari Namkeen Karahi, Namak Mandi Karahi, Shinwari Karahi) 
• Meat and Potato Curry or Stew
• Meat and Tomato Curry or Stew
• Meat and different vegetable curries
• Balti Meat Stew
• Different Steaks with cheese and steamed vegetables
• Nihari 
• Chops (Masala Chops, Baked Chops, 
• Handi Gosht 
• Mince (Behari Qeema, Tawa Qeema, Dum Qeema,)
• Chicken, mutton, or beef pulao Chicken
• Beef, or Mutton Biryani (Dum Biryani, Masala Biryani, Karachi Biryani, Lucknowi Biryani, Sindhi Biryani, Thalassery Biryani, Bombay Biryani, Kashmiri Biryani)
• Rosh ( Rosh Hashanah, Balochi Rosh)
• Shab daig 
• Chirgha
•  Sajji 
• Dum Pukht
• Chicken Tagine 
• Kabsa 
• Arabic Shish Taouk 
• Arabian Laham Mandi 
• Arabic Mandi
• Mince Rings 
• Arabian Night Beef 
• Arabian Lamb Stew 
• Beef Dolmas with Apricot and Tamarind 
• Chicken or Beef Shawarma 
• Kibbeh Khan Plov 
• Falafel 
• Makhlama Lahm 
• Lamb Stew with Harrisa 
• Djaj Bil-Bahar Il- Asfar 
• Batenjin Mehchi 
• Lamb Patties 
• Laknawi Galawati Kabab
• Itallian Spagetti/Bolognese 
• Adana Kebab 
• Lamb Gola Kebab 
• Baked Mince 
• Lasagna

In sweet dishes you can try:

• Walnut Cake or Biscuits 
• Mango Custard and Mango Jelly 
• Macadamia Baklawa 
• Sheer Korma 
• Pakhtooni Zarda Pulao
• Malpua and halwa
• Persian Almond Cake 
• Coconut Cookies
• Rabri
• Ras Malai
• Gulab Jamun
• Kaju Katli
• Jalebi
• Imarti
• Vanilla Fudge Bars

There are thousands of other sweet and sour dishes which you can try on this Eid. 

Eid ul Adha has a special meaning for Muslims, and it serves as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience and devotion to Allah. It inspires Muslims to reflect on their obedience to Allah Almighty. Muslims may pray for courage to be devoted to God in the future and seek forgiveness.