FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Prof. Farida Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are ‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s Major Religions’. She has translated into English many books authored by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Currently the chairperson of CPS International, she is a regular contributor of articles to various publications. Prof. Khanam has edited Maulana’s English translation of the Quran and has also translated his Urdu commentary of the Quran into English. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF EID AL-ADHA
(This year’s Eid al-Adha was celebrated on August 1, 2020, in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. The following article was published in the Speaking Tree column of The Times of India. It is now reproduced here. Prof. Farida Khanam writes about the essence of this festival and the lessons to be drawn from it in these changing times.)
EID al-Adha is the second of the two festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It is not only a celebration but a reminder of the spirit that each believer must adopt in his life. The special day begins with two units of namaz, to remind the believer of his duty towards God, his fellow human beings and of his pledge to lead a pious life. This festival is a celebration of the Prophet Abraham’s sacrifices in the way of God. The festivities last for three days.
The celebration is a tribute to the Prophet Abraham’s unwavering faith in God. Abraham is the common patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Abraham and his son Ishmael were both Messengers of God. Together, they built the Kabah in Makkah. Abraham established the rites of Hajj—the pilgrimage to Makkah—by calling humankind to the house of God.
God tested Abraham by asking him, in a dream, to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. When Abraham told his son about his dream, the latter replied, “O my father, do as you are commanded; and God willing, you will find me steadfast.” Abraham then led his son for the sacrifice. At that moment God called out to Abraham that he had already fulfilled His command. It had been a great trial of Abraham’s intention and God accepted this as his sacrifice. God sent a ram to be sacrificed instead.
After the fulfillment of God’s commands, Abraham was made a leader of humankind.
Abraham is an example of complete submission and devotion to God. His life embodies abnegation of his will in obedience to God’s command. Just like Abraham, believers must be ever willing to forsake everything for the greater good.
This great act of Abraham is remembered by all Muslims every year on the 10 Dhul Hijjah (twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar), the day which concludes the main rites of the Hajj. On the occasion of Hajj, Muslims from all over the world throng to Makkah to emulate Abraham. There the pilgrims perform the animal sacrifice as Abraham did. The Muslim calendar follows the moon, so the months are based on moon’s phases. Therefore, this festival is celebrated on a different day every year, for the lunar calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, believers reaffirm their belief in God and pledge themselves to parting with their precious belongings, if there is a need for it.
The feast of sacrifice reminds Muslims of Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his beloved son. In a similar vein, believers reaffirm their belief in God and pledge themselves to parting with their precious belongings, if there is a need for it. The Quran describes these sentiments: “Truly my prayers, my sacrifice, my life and my death all belong to God, the Lord of the worlds.” (6: 162)
At the culmination of the Hajj rites, the pilgrims walk around the Kabah seven times, all the while praying and concentrating only on God. The pilgrims pray in the same language, Arabic, thus fostering universal love and brotherhood during Hajj. Of all the Muslim acts of worship, the Hajj is the most prominent. In one Hadith, the Prophet of Islam called it the ‘supreme act of worship’. It is not just the rituals that make it so, rather it is the spirit in which the Hajj is performed that is important. This year as we were restrained by the Covid-19 pandemic, a grand celebration was not warranted. Muslims, all over the world, must stringently follow the guidelines of the government and the health officials. It is pertinent to relive the true spirit of worship that rests on introspection, self-purification and embarking on a journey of leading a God-oriented life.
Prof. Farida Khanam
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