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Eid Al Adha or the �Festival of Sacrifice�is celebrated by Muslims all over the world at the end of the Hajj, which is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid-al Adha is the festival when Muslims at the time of Hajj, commemorate the triumphs and trials of Prophet Abraham.

Main Trial of Prophet Abraham

One among the main trials of Abraham was facing Allah�s command to kill his only son. Abraham decided to kill his son in obedience to Allah. When Abraham was on the verge of carrying out Allah�s orders, Allah let him know that his �sacrifice� had been fulfilled. Overwhelmed by Abraham�s devotion, Allah replaced Abraham�s son with a sheep at the last moment. Abraham had proved that his love for Allah was great and he could even sacrifice his life or that of his dear one (son) for submitting to the Almighty.

The Sacrifice of Animals

On Eid Al Adha, Muslims slaughter animals in an attempt to remind themselves the trials of Abraham. The animal slaughtered can be a camel, goat or sheep. However, this activity is often not acceptable to the non-Muslims.

When slaughtering animal, followers of Islam take the name of �Allah� to remind them that life is sacred. After sacrificing an animal on Eid al-Adha, the meat is given away to the friends, the poor and eaten with relatives and family.

The significance of the act reveals one�s willingness to submit things that are close to themselves or are of benefit. It also resembles the giving up of a portion of your bounty to help the needy and to strengthen friendship bonds. Muslims believe that Allah desires only the willing obedience, strength of heart and purity of faith from them.

The Observance

Other than sacrificing an animal, Muslims universally attend the morning prayers at the local mosques on the first Eid Al Adha morning. After praying, the Muslims visit their friends and families amidst exchange of gifts and greetings. The meat from the sacrificed animal is distributed in the holiday or soon thereafter.

The Traditions

Eid ul-Adha witnesses children, men and women dressed in fine clothes. The animal to be sacrificed has to meet the criteria of age as well as a standard quality. There are regular charitable practices in order to ensure that no poor follower of Islam goes without the sacrificial food during these days. The celebration comes to an end with the Day of Mount Arafat.

Date of Eid ul-Adha

The date of Eid ul-Adha in the Gregorian calendar keeps changing, as it is a solar calendar. The Lunar calendar appears to be about 10 days shorter than the solar calendar. According to the Islamic calendar (lunar), Eid Al Adha falls on the same day always.