Many of us have heard of the origin of ‘Eidul-Adha, but let’s once again refresh our memories to what it is all about! If you haven’t, we hope you will benefit from this insyallah :) Here are some basic things Muslims ought to do on this joyous celebration:
1. This holy celebration initiated when Allah has commanded Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) to sacrifice (slaughter) his son, Prophet Ismail (a.s). Both of the noble Prophets willingly obeyed Him. Their only wish was to only obey Allah, not knowing what the Almighty had in store for them! And Masyallah, when Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) began the sacrifice, Allah replaced Prophet Ismail (a.s) with a lamb!
‘Eidul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th of Dzulhijjah, and it is feast of self-sacrifice, commitment and obedience to Allah. Like Prophet Ibrahim (a.s), he showed great willingness to sacrifice his son, so Muslims should learn that we too, must try to do the same. So thus, let’s be better Muslims and be more obedient to Allah!
Related verse from the Quran:
♦ “When his son (Prophet Ismail (a.s)) was old enough to work with him, he (Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) said, ‘My son, I have a dream that I must sacrifice you. What do you think of this?’ He (Prophet Ismail (a.s)) replied, ‘Father, fulfill whatever you are commanded to do and you will me patient, by the will of Allah’” [As-Saffat 37:102]
Related hadith:
• Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah has given you something better instead of these; the day of ‘Eidul-Adha and the day of ‘Eidul-Fitri” [Abu Dawud] 
2. To start celebrating ‘Eidul-Adha; go for ‘Eid prayers with your family, relatives, neighbours and/or fellow Muslim friends! The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has commanded this not only to sane adult Muslim men, but women, children and the elderly should take part in ‘Eid prayers at the mosque, open space or designated community places. In fact, even menstruating women* should attend, so that they may partake in the blessings of the day and participate in this joyous occasion.
Related hadiths:
• Narrated by Al-Bara (r.a): “I heard the Prophet (pbuh) delivering khutbah saying, ‘The first thing to be done on this day (first day of ‘Eidul-Adha) is to pray; and after returning from the prayer we slaughter our sacrifices and whoever does so (prayers), he acted according to our Sunnah’” [Al- Bukhari vol 2, book 15, hadith # 71]
• Hadith from Al-Bukhari vol 2, book 15, hadith # 88
3. Before going for prayers, it is best to prepare (note: groom) ourselves nicely and awesomely! A few noted preparations:
1) Take a bath (ghusl)
2) Wear your best clothes! The Prophet (pbuh) would wear his best clothes when it comes to ‘Eidul-Adha and ‘Eidul-Fitri! Take note that “best” does NOT necessarily means new!
3) Guys, use perfume or fragrances! This is a good time to use your Old Spice, Hugo Boss, Versace or Calvin Klein perfume. ^_^
2) Wear your best clothes! The Prophet (pbuh) would wear his best clothes when it comes to ‘Eidul-Adha and ‘Eidul-Fitri! Take note that “best” does NOT necessarily means new!
3) Guys, use perfume or fragrances! This is a good time to use your Old Spice, Hugo Boss, Versace or Calvin Klein perfume. ^_^
(Important note: This is ONLY applicable to MEN! Ladies, do not use perfume in public because it is haraam to do so!)
4. Another noble sunnah act that we should practice on ‘Eidul-Adha is to only eat AFTER returning from prayers. This simply means; try to avoid eating before going for prayers and only take your breakfast AFTER prayers or after the sacrifice (if you are doing a sacrifice)!
Related hadith:
• “… As for ‘Eidul-Adha, the Prophet (pbuh) would NOT eat until he returned from the musalla and he would eat from his sacrifice” [Ibnu Qayyim, Zaadul Ma’ad, 1/441]
5. If you and/or family and friends are walking to the mosque for ‘Eid prayers, try this: take the normal route to the mosque and take another different route on your way back home after prayers! It’s not only sunnah, but it gives you more opportunities to give salaam to fellow Muslims and greetings to non-Muslims along the way. Plus walking is good exercise too!
Related hadith:
• Narrated by Jabir in Abdullah (r.a): “On the day of ‘Eid, the Prophet (pbuh) used to return (after the ‘Eid prayers) through a different way from the one used in going to it” [Al- Bukhari vol 2, book 15, hadith # 102]
6. Take the celebration of ‘Eidul-Adha as a good opportunity to boost sillaturahim with each other! At the end of prayers, we Muslims should convey greetings to each other with happy, warm smiles! Also, congratulate one another by saying “Taqaballa Allahu mina wa minkum al-amal saliha” (May Allah accept from you and us our good deeds).
Take note that shaking hands with non-mahram relatives, friends or whatnot is completely PROHIBITED! In fact, it is haraam and this matter should be taken seriously since shaking hands is a common practice.
Related hadiths:
• A’isha (r.a) said: “No, by Allah, the hand of the Prophet (pbuh) never touched the hand of a (non-mahram) woman. He received bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) from them by word only.” [Sahih Muslim 3/489]
• Narrated by Ma’qil ibn Yassaar (r.a): The Prophet (pbuh) said: “To pierce an iron needle into a man’s head is better for him than to touch a woman, who is not his mahram” [Al-Tabaraani, Al-Kabeer, # 486]
• Narrated by Umaymah the daughter of Raqeeqah said: The Prophet (pbuh) said: “I do not shake hands with women” [Al-Nasaa’I, # 4181]
• Narrated by Ma’qil ibn Yassaar (r.a): The Prophet (pbuh) said: “To pierce an iron needle into a man’s head is better for him than to touch a woman, who is not his mahram” [Al-Tabaraani, Al-Kabeer, # 486]
• Narrated by Umaymah the daughter of Raqeeqah said: The Prophet (pbuh) said: “I do not shake hands with women” [Al-Nasaa’I, # 4181]
HAVE A BLESSED ‘EID! كل عام و انتم بخير ^_^
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