HARI
RAYA HAJI: The Festival of Sacrifice
Every year, millions of
Muslims from around the world make the journey to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for the
annual pilgrimage (or Hajj). Dressed in the same simple white clothing
to represent human equality, the pilgrims gather to perform rites dating back
to the time of Abraham.
Hajj
is considered one of the five "pillars" of Islam. Muslims are
required to make the pilgrimage once in a lifetime, if they are physically and
financially able to make the journey to Mecca.
Hari Raya
Haji or Hari Raya Aidil Adha (the malays in Malaysia called it for the festival
of sacrifice) is one of two Islamic Eid festivals that Muslims celebrate, the
origin of which comes from the Quran. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:
"Surely Abraham was an example,
obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was
grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We
gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the
righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)
Hari Raya Haji also known
as Eid al-Adha, Idul Adha, Hari Raya Kurban, Qurban, or the Festival of
Sacrifice, the Eid al-Adha is one of the several religious festivals celebrated
by Muslims all over the word. Here, the Muslim community commemorates God’s
forgiveness of Prophet Ibrahim, or Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice
everything for God, including the life of his son Ishmael as commanded by
Allah. The pilgrimage is done approximately seventy days after the end of the
month of Ramadan.
When
is Hari Raya Haji 2012 / Eid al-Adha 2012 / Qurban 2012 ?
The Hari Raya Haji festival annually falls
on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic Calendar immediately
follows the Day of Arafat. Although only the pilgrims in Mecca can participate
in the Hajj fully, all the other Muslims in the world join with them by
celebrating Hari Raya Haji or "Celebration of Sacrifice." It runs for
two to three days, or even more, depending on the country celebrating it. In Malaysia,
it is only recognize as one day public holiday.
The festival is based on the Islamic lunar
calendar, and thus in Gregorian calendar the date changes every year. Hari Raya
Kurban 2012 is expected to fall on Friday, 26 October 2012. However since the
festival is determined by moon position based on moon-sighting, the exact date
of the Hari Raya Haji 2012 will be announced by the Islamic authority closer to
the festival.
What Is Expected During Hari Raya Haji 2012 / Kurban 2012?
Because God spared Ishmael, substituting a
sheep in his stead, Muslims commemorate this occasion by slaughtering an animal
and distributing its meat among family, friends and the needy as a special act
of charity for the occasion. Because of this, many poor Muslims are able to
enjoy the unusual luxury of eating meat during the four days of the festival.
Well-off Muslim devotees sacrifice their
best domestic animals, usually sheep, cows, goats and even camels, as a
reenactment of Ibrahim’s sacrifice. These sacrificed animals, or udhiya, have
to meet certain age (the animal must be at least a year old) and quality or
else it is considered as an unacceptable sacrifice. During the sacrifice
ceremony, Allah’s name is recited with the offering statement and a
supplication, as said by Prophet Muhammad.
According to the Quran, ample portions of
the sacrificed animal meat should be given to the poor and hungry, so that they
too can join in the festivities. The remainder of the meat is cooked for the
family celebration meal, wherein it is shared among friends and families. It is very important to understand that the
sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for
our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a
misunderstanding by those of previous generations:
"It is not their meat nor their blood
that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)
Men, women, and children of the Muslim
community are required to dress in their finest clothing to perform the Eid
prayer. They wear their nicest clothing and attend Salatul-Eid (Eid Prayer) in
the morning. This is followed by a short sermon, after which everyone
socializes.
For more
Info, please refer to
No comments:
Post a Comment