Is it possible to work on Eid al-Adha: traditions and the essence of the holiday

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Eid al-Adha is considered the Muslim holiday of sacrifice. This is a very significant day in the life of any Muslim. In Arabic, it is also called Eid al-adha. It is celebrated strictly on the 10th day of the twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar (Zul-Hijjah).

The essence of the holiday

Can I work in Eid al-Adha? It all depends on certain circumstances, but work these days is not welcome. This holiday is part of the Hajj rites. The bottom line is the annual pilgrimage of Muslims around the world to Mecca (Saudi Arabia). The next three days after Kurban Bayram are also holidays for Muslims.

History of the holiday

The history of Eid al-Adha is very interesting. Prophet Ibrahim plays the leading role there. He became famous not only among Muslims, but also among Christians. Ibrahim was distinguished by a very strong obedience to Allah. Once an angel came to him in a dream and said that he needed to sacrifice to Allah in the form of his eldest son. The dream was repeated more than once. After a while the prophetobeyed the will of Allah. When he, along with his son, went to the place where it was planned to carry out the sacrifice, the shaitan came across on their way three times. Shaitan tried repeatedly to dissuade him from making a sacrifice, but Ibrahim's obedience was only to Allah alone. This forced him to go further with his son, throwing stones at the shaitan along the way. Having reached the place, the father brought a knife to his son's throat, but the knife did not cut. At that moment, Ibrahim heard a voice that said that he had proved the strength of his faith. After that, a ram appeared before the prophet, and he sacrificed it.

This act of the prophet has become symbolic, it proves his sincere love for Allah. From that moment on, it became customary for all Muslims to sacrifice an animal, most often a ram, as proof of their faith. Any Muslim asks the question: is it possible to work in Eid al-Adha? The history of this holiday shows that this is a holiday of “sacrifice”, and one must prepare for it carefully and in advance. It is about the spiritual cleansing of the believer, keeping fasting and doing good deeds. To the question: “Is it possible to work in Eid al-Adha?”, The answer is obvious - it is undesirable. Muslims revere this holiday very much, so they try to leave all their affairs for this period of time.

How to prepare for the holiday?

For obvious reasons, not all Muslims can make the Hajj to Mecca. You can make a sacrifice and take part in the main holiday of Muslims anywhere, to perform the traditional rite, go to Meccaoptional.

Is it possible to work in Eid al-Adha for people who are unable to miss the service? It is not forbidden, but it is important to try to observe all the prescribed traditions. Ten days before Eid al-Adha, it is advisable to observe a strict fast, and three days before it is necessary to give up fun, celebrations, shopping, and it is also forbidden to have a haircut. About a week before the holiday, the most active preparations begin. Particular attention is paid to the preparation of products for the feast. It is customary to bake ritual loaves during the day.

On the eve of Eid al-Adha, believers loudly read praise to Allah at home, on the streets, squares, mosques. It is customary for women to read to themselves, for men aloud and loudly. It is customary to read this prayer after each prayer.

Eid al-Adha

On the day of the holiday, any Muslim from the early morning begins to traditionally prepare for it. Is it possible for a believer to work in Eid al-Adha? This is very undesirable, because the traditions of this holiday paint the whole day from early morning until evening. Any Muslim needs to get up early and put himself in order (cut his nails, hair, bathe, anoint his body with incense and put on new clothes). It is forbidden to eat breakfast before the Eid prayer. After putting themselves in order, Muslims go to the mosque for morning prayers. Then the Eid prayer ends, and after dinner everyone goes home.

If desired, believers can gather in groups in courtyards or on the street in order to sing a doxology in unisonAllah. After that, people again go to the mosque, where the mullah will deliver a sermon. Otherwise, the sermon is called khutba, it usually begins with the glorification of Allah, as well as his prophet, after which there is an explanation of the origin of the hajj and the meaning of the rite of sacrifice itself. After the sermon is over, it is customary to go to the cemetery to pray for the departed. Upon returning from the cemetery, it is time for the sacrificial rite.

The essence of the rite of sacrifice

Muslims believe that animals that are sacrificed in the name of Allah will help people cross the abyss in hell to heaven on the Day of Judgment. To do this, you will need to overcome the bridge (Sirat) on the backs of the animals that were sacrificed. That is why, before making a sacrifice, the owner makes his mark on it, by which he can quickly find it. Is it possible to work in Eid al-Adha? The essence of the holiday lies in the fact that Muslims believe that in order to get to heaven, a sacrifice in the form of an animal is necessary. The ritual takes a lot of time, so everyone tries to get rid of work on this day.

The rite of sacrifice

A Muslim who knows how to properly perform a sacrifice should make it himself. Is it possible to work on Eid al-Adha while making a sacrifice?

If a person cannot perform the ritual of sacrifice himself, then he should turn to someone who knows how to do it, but it is important to be present in person when performing the ceremony. So buy an animal and ask a knowledgeable personto sacrifice him is not enough, personal presence is necessary.

You can sacrifice a camel, cow, bull, buffalo, ram, sheep or goat. But here there are some peculiarities. A cow or a camel can be sacrificed for seven people. A goat or a sheep is slaughtered for one Muslim. In addition, they donate not only for the living, but also for the dead.

Before you cut the victim, you need to knock him to the ground so that his head is directed towards Mecca, and you need to put a lollipop in your mouth, which is then taken out, because it will become blessed. Muslims believe that with the appearance of the first drop of blood of a sacrificial animal to a believer who performs the ceremony, Allah forgives all sins. The liver and blood of the victim must be collected in a black rag so that the light does not fall on them.

Requirements for sacrificial animals

There are also certain requirements for sacrificial animals.

• First, the age of the animal. A goat or sheep must be at least a year old; buffalo and cow (bull) - at least two years; a camel is at least five years old.
• Secondly, the animal must be he althy and must not have flaws. The absence of a small part of an ear or a few teeth is acceptable. But the eyes, tail and other organs and parts of the animal's body must be intact.
• Third, it is desirable that the animal be well-fed.

The rite of sacrifice begins immediately after the Eid prayer and ends at sunset on the 13th of the month. Cut the animal only with a very sharp knife.

What to do with the meat of the sacrificial animal?

The meat of the victim must be divided into three parts. The first part is given to the poor, the second part is left to prepare treats for relatives, friends, neighbors, and the third part is left to the owner of the animal. The meat of such an animal can be treated to people of other faiths. Under no circumstances should the skin or meat of the sacrificial animal be sold.

There are special cases where all three parts of an animal are given to the poor. For example, when a person vowed to thank Allah for getting rid of all sorts of troubles or for recovery. Such a promise is called nazer and it should be fulfilled on this holiday. After the slaughter of the sacrificial animal, Muslims arrange a ritual meal, to which a large number of people are invited.

Food and drinks for Eid al-Adha

Now, like many years ago, much attention is paid to the most important holiday for Muslims. For most believers, the question of whether it is possible for a Muslim to work on Eid al-Adha does not arise. Employers often accommodate believers by allowing them to take a day off.

In order to spend this holiday according to all traditions, the believer needs to carefully prepare for it. Women think ahead about food and drinks. From the meat of the sacrificial animal, very tasty mostly traditional dishes are prepared in accordance with local preferences. No less attention is paid to the special festive decoration of the table. Many different sweets are prepared for this holiday. Housewives bake cakes, bread, biscuits, pies, and also make various desserts using almonds and raisins.

The use of alcohol in Eid al-Adha is strictly prohibited, it is considered a mockery of the principles of Islam. Is it possible to work in Eid al-Adha? The traditions of this holiday prescribe on this day to visit and give gifts to close friends and relatives.

Is it possible to work on Eid al-Adha and the following days after the holiday? During this period of time, it is customary to pay visits not only to relatives, but also to close acquaintances, because visiting guests will be considered desirable and blessed.

Can I work on Eid al-Adha? A true Muslim always answers this question in the negative. After all, this holiday is the most important in the life of a believer. Many traditions are associated with it, it originates from ancient times. Therefore, every Muslim tries to spend the days of the holiday in preparation for it, and, of course, it is very difficult to combine this with work. It lasts only 3-4 days, so you should try to cancel the service during these days.