Hyderabad, November 17: Eid-ul-Zuha celebrated today in the city. The sheep and buffalo market across the city witnessed a huge rush on the eve of Eid-ul-Zuha, despite the rise in prices. Muslims thronged the places in huge number.
The live-stock market buzzing with activities were Toli Chowki, Saidabad, Nayapul, Kamela and many other areas. Eid-ul-Zuha is one of the most important festivals for the Muslims.
According to Islamic belief, to test Prophet Ibrahim, Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail. He agreed to do it but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So he blindfolded himself before putting Ismail on the altar at the mount of Mina near Makkah.
When he removed his bandage after performing the act, he saw his son standing in front of him, alive. On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. This symbolises devotion to Allah and his desires.
Joyous festivities and somber rituals mark this event. The sacrificial meat is then distributed and partaken of after the Eid prayers.
Eid al-Zuha is celebrated annually on the 10th day of the 12th and the last Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic calendar.
Id-ul-Zuha (Bakr-Id), is a festival of special prayers and exchange of greetings and gifts mark this festival of Muslims. Id-ul-Zuha, the festival of sacrifice is celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety all over the world.
It is called Id-ul-Zuha in Arabic and Bakr-Id in the Indian subcontinent, because of the tradition of sacrificing a goat or ‘bakr’ in Urdu. The word ‘id’ derived from the Arabic ‘iwd’ means ‘festival’ and zuha comes from ‘uzhaiyya’ which translates to ‘sacrifice’.
–Agencies