Eid-ul-Fitr & Eid-ul-Adha
The word 'Eid' shares root letters with words which mean something that returns, and so the word Eid generally means the annual feast or festival. Muslims are blessed with two annual festivals, namely Eid-ul-Fitr & Eid-ul-Adha.
In Ramadhan, Muslims, all over the world, resist the temptation to eat and drink, as well as intimacy, during daytime.
On Eid day (Eid-ul-Fitr) they may feast all day long.
Two months later:
In Dhu-al-Hijjah, pilgrims reach Hijaz from all over the world, to perform the pilgrimage (Hajj). They assemble in the plain of Arafat, praying and seeking forgiveness all day long. Then, they go on to spend the night in Muzdalifah and collect the pebbles they will use to pelt the symbols of Satan. The pilgrims pelt stones at the three symbols of Satan (the Jamarat in Mina) for three consecutive days of Eid (Eid-ul-Adha).
They, along with Muslims all over the world, offer sacrifice of cattle, and eat and share the meat.
...
So, what do these rituals mean?
Ramadhan & Eid-ul-Fitr
The religion clearly defines the halal (permissible) and the haraam (forbidden). Throughout the year, Muslims observe the limits prescribed. Ramadhan is different in that even the halal (food, drink, sex) becomes forbidden during fasting hours.
Is it a kind of training, a lesson in endurance, taking the notch up to develop further resistance and increased control over carnal desires?
So, what does feating on the Day of Eid ul Fitr signify? That we are in control of our 'nafs', and can be trusted to be responsible when satisfying ourselves?
Dhu-al-Hijja & Eid-ul-Adha
The rites of pilgrimage begin with Tawaf (circumambulating around the Kaaba), and then staying in Mina for three days in tents. The Jamarat are also located in Mina. The three Jamarat are three stone pillars, which represent Satan. On the three days of Eid, these stone pillars are pelted with pebbles collected earlier by the pilgrims.
The Day of Arafah is a day before Eid. On the Day of Arafah, all pilgrims convene onto the plain of Arafat, hoping and desiring to be forgiven and freed from the penalty of Hell-fire.
So, what do these rituals represent?
Staying in Mina in tents, near the Jamarat, is like staying in this world, with Satan, in temporary homes?
Assembling on the plain of Arafat is like the Day when all humanity will appear together before Allah, seeking forgiveness and escape from Hell-fire?
Spending the night under open sky (no tents even), and collecting pebbles to stone Satan is proving their willingness to prepare for the fight against evil?
Pelting the obelisks (stone pillars, now enclosed in walls) is proving their resolve to battle evil while in this world?
The offering of sacrificial animals, the cattle which have been provided to humans, and made subservient to them, expressing gratitude for being provided with cattle for food, travel, labour and other items of comfort?
Circumambulating the Kaaba in anticlockwise direction, like almost all things in the sky move in anticlockwise direction? Being in sync with the right?
Apparently, people had been circumambulating (لِلطَّآئِفِينَ), staying near Allah's House for worship (ٱلْعَـٰكِفِينَ), and bowing (ٱلرُّكَّعِ) prostrating (ٱلسُّجُودِ) in prayer since before, while Hajj was announced later through Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), and both father and son prayed that they be showed the rituals:
The Quran informs us that:
The Cow (2:125-129)
2:125
وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا ٱلْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًۭا وَٱتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ مُصَلًّۭى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْعَـٰكِفِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ ١٢٥
And [mention] when We made the House [i.e., the Kaʿbah] a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform ṭawāf[1] and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."
— Saheeh International
[1]- A form of worship particular to the Kaʿbah consisting of going around it in circuits.
اور یاد کرو جب ہم نے اس گھر (بیت اللہ) کو قرار دے دیا لوگوں کے لیے اجتماع (اور زیارت) کی جگہ اور اسے امن کا گھر قرار دے دیا اور (ہم نے حکم دیا کہ) مقام ابراہیم ؑ کو اپنی نماز پڑھنے کی جگہ بنا لو اور ہم نے حکم کیا تھا ابراہیم ؑ اور اسماعیل ؑ کو کہ تم دونوں میرے اس گھر کو پاک رکھو طواف کرنے والوں اعتکاف کرنے والوں اور رکوع و سجود کرنے والوں کے لیے
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
2:126
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنًۭا وَٱرْزُقْ أَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ مِنْهُم بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۖ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُۥ قَلِيلًۭا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُۥٓ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ١٢٦
And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits - whoever of them believes in Allāh and the Last Day." [Allāh] said, "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination."
— Saheeh International
اور یاد کرو جبکہ ابراہیم ؑ نے دعا کی تھی : اے میرے پروردگار ! اس گھر کو امن کی جگہ بنا دے اور یہاں آباد ہونے والوں (یعنی بنی اسماعیل (ؑ) کو پھلوں کا رزق عطا کر جو کوئی ان میں سے ایمان لائے اللہ پر اور یوم آخر پر۔ اللہ تعالیٰ نے فرمایا : اور (تمہاری اولاد میں سے) جو کفر کرے گا تو اس کو بھی میں دنیا کی چند روزہ زندگی کا ساز و سامان تو دوں گا پھر اسے کشاں کشاں لے آؤں گا جہنم کے عذاب کی طرف اور وہ بہت بری جگہ ہے لوٹنے کی
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
2:127
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ١٢٧
And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing,[1] the Knowing.[2]
— Saheeh International
[1]Who hears every sound, distinguishes every voice, understands every word, and accepts and responds to supplications.
[2]Refer to footnote in 2:32.
اور یاد کرو جب ابراہیم ؑ اور اسماعیل ؑ ہمارے گھر کی بنیادوں کو اٹھا رہے تھے اے ہمارے ربّ ! ہم سے یہ خدمت قبول فرما لے یقیناً توُ سب کچھ سننے والا جاننے والا ہے
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
2:128
رَبَّنَا وَٱجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةًۭ مُّسْلِمَةًۭ لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١٢٨
Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites [of worship] and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.
— Saheeh International
اور اے ہمارے رب ! ہمیں اپنا مطیع فرمان بنائے رکھ اور ہم دونوں کی نسل سے ایک امت اٹھائیو جو تیری فرماں بردار ہو اور ہمیں حج کرنے کے قاعدے بتلا دے اور ہم پر اپنی توجہ فرما یقیناً تو ہی ہے بہت زیادہ توبہ کا قبول فرمانے والا (اور شفقت کے ساتھ رجوع کرنے والا) اور رحم فرمانے والا
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
2:129
رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ١٢٩
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might,[1] the Wise."
— Saheeh International
[1]- Honored for absolute power associated with wisdom and justice.
اور اے ہمارے پروردگار ! ان لوگوں میں اٹھائیو ایک رسول خود انہی میں سے جو انہیں تیری آیات پڑھ کر سنائے اور انہیں کتاب اور حکمت کی تعلیم دے اور ان کو پاک کرے یقیناً توُ ہی ہے زبردست اور کمال حکمت والا
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
We are living in this world of trial, amid desires and temptations, fears and worries, a nafs in darkness, and Satan on the loose, grabbing every opportunity to misguide us and lead us astray.
We need to constantly remember that this world is a trial, that we need to control our nafs, be wary of Satan and his attempts to make us lose our way, and that we have a Promised Day of Judgement when we will be accountable for our intentions and our actions.
The Quran, Surah al-A'raf, ayat 46, informs of people standing in high places (alA'raf) on the Day of Judgement, hoping to be released from Hellfire, and that eventually they will be allowed to ascend to the skies.
In the same surah, a few ayaat earlier, Q7:40, informs of those people (the criminals) who deny and are arrogant towards Our ayaat (signs), that it is as impossible for them to ascend to the skies, nor will they be allowed to enter the Gardens, until the camel passes through the eye of the needle. This phrase is also mentioned in The Bible, Mark 10. There it is in context of rich people who are unwilling to fight evil with their wealth and their lives for the cause of God.
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Ignorant of The Law of Sacrifice
Last updated on: May 18, 2026
