Eid al-Adha or the religious holiday of sacrificing is one of the most sacred holidays in the Islamic world. In the lunar-based Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for three days. Muslims can sacrifice a sheep, ram, cow, or camel in the ceremony.
The ceremony of religious sacrificing has existed before Islam as well, but was only meant to purify oneself from sins, quench Allah’s wrath, etc. After the second year of the Hijrah, (the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) from Mecca to Medina), religious sacrificing began to be practiced in the Islamic world for other purposes and reasons. It started to include some other attributes like high enthusiasm, spirituality, charity, and helping others.
The history of religious sacrificing dates back to a story happened in the life of Prophet Abraham. According to the story, Abraham was ordered by Allah to sacrifice his son Ishmael (to test his faith in Allah). Abraham, like a true believer, prepares to execute Allah’s order. Ishmael also prepares to be the sacrifice. The Koran narrates the story, too. Prophet Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son Ishmael in order to prove his submission and devotion to Allah. But Allah sends His messenger a ram to sacrifice instead. That is why the sacrifice slaughtered in Eid al-Adha is called Ishmaeli gurban.
Eid al-Adha, one of the most sacred holidays in the Islamic world, is celebrated by all Muslim countries in high spirits. After Azerbaijan gained independence, according to the law on holidays of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted by the Azerbaijani Parliament on 27 October 1992, Eid al-Adha is celebrated in Azerbaijan at the level of state.
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