Id-ul-Adha & Id-ul-Fitr (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Id ul-Adha - Origins & Meanings

Id ul-Adha

• Also known as The Festival of Sacrifice or Greater Eid, it is the most important event in the Muslim calendar

• It lasts for four days and remembers Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son for God

• It marks the end of Hajj and is a chance for all Muslims across the world to worship and celebrate together especially as in many countries it is a public holiday

• The festival begins with prayers in a mosque where there is a communal service and a sermon is given about sacrifice and obedience to Allah

• Families meet and give money, cards and presents, clothes are bought or made, and meals are shared

• An animal is sacrificed, and divided into three, with a third going to relatives / neighbours and a third going to the poor.

Origins and significance of Id ul-Adha

• The festival remembers and honours Prophet Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his son Isma’il for God

  • Prophet Ibrahim dreamt that Allah had told him to sacrifice Isma’il

• He spoke to Isma’il about it and they both agreed it had to be done

• Moments before the sacrifice took place Allah intervened and told Ibrahim to sacrifice a ram instead of his son

• The event is seen as a test of Ibrahim’s loyalty to Allah

• Today a sheep or goat is killed and the meat shared among family and friends as well as distributed to the poor.

  • In Britain it is illegal to sacrifice an animal so a Muslim may ask a butcher to do this on their behalf

• Muslims remember the story of Ibrahim and it reminds Muslim’s of the importance of sacrifice and obedience to Allah

• It is also a time for Muslims to remember God’s love which is shown through sharing and kindness to others

• The Qur’an is clear that the sacrifice of the animal is not in itself pleasing to God but a symbol of a Muslim sacrificing himself to the will of God

  • The Qur’an (22: 37) says ‘Their meat will not reach God…but what reaches him is piety from you’

Id ul-Fitr - Origins & Meanings

Id ul-Fitr

• Id ul-Fitr (also known as Lesser Eid) means breaking of the fast and marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan

• It is seen as a reward for the completion of a month of fasting and for showing self control during this time

• The festival begins with the sight of the new moon

  • In Britain where it is cloudy, Muslims rely on other countries for knowing when the fast can begin

• It may be celebrated for between one and three days

• Muslims gather in a mosque or large outdoor area to say special prayers

• The imam’s sermon reminds Muslims that they should forgive and settle disputes

• There are other common practices that take place during the festival

  • Everyone wears their best clothes

  • Homes are decorated

  • Special foods are eaten

  • Processions may take place

  • Cards and presents are exchanged

  • Women decorate their hands with henna

  • Special biscuits are made

  • Men go to mosques

  • Family members are visited

  • Children are given gifts

  • Cemeteries are visited to remember loved ones

• Muslims generally greet each other with ‘Id Mubarak’ on this day, which means ‘Id blessings’

• During this time Muslims also pay Zakat-ul-Fitr, an additional tax to the poor to allow those, even in poverty, a generous meal during the festival

  • The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, ‘The fasting of the month of fasting will be hanging between earth and heavens and it will not be raised up to the Divine Presence without paying the Zakat al-Fitr’

Significance of Id-ul-Fitr

• Id-ul-Fitr is an acknowledgement of the fact that the Qur’an was revealed during the month of Ramadan and:

  • Celebrates the fact that Muslims have completed sawm, the fourth pillar of Islam

  • Thanks God for the strength to complete the fast and for providing wisdom and guidance

  • Is a time for Muslims to come together and strengthen the ummah

  • Is important for community togetherness, as often there are special celebrations that enable members of other faiths to get involved

  • Is an important day to give charity and remember those who are far less fortunate