THE FEAST OF SACRIFICE (EID AL-ADHA) and MUSLIM PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

The Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid Al-Adha, Kurban) The biggest Muslim Holiday 10 th -13 th of Dhul-Hijjah (12 th month of Islamic Lunar calendar, 1 st - 4 th of February 2004) Commemorates Prophet Abraham’s (pbuh) obedience to Allah (God) by being prepared to sacrifice his son Ishmael (pbuh) Prophet Abraham proved he would give up the one thing he truly loved for Allah’s sake so Allah gave him a ram to sacrifice instead (37:99-111)

The Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid Al-Adha, Kurban) Muslims relieve that tradition by sacrificing a ram (or cow, camel, sheep) Muslims give a third of the meat to the poor, share a third with their neighbors and keep a third for themselves Sacrifice is an offering of thanksgiving to the God creation of who has been so benevolent to mankind Sacrifice teaches the well-to-do, to share their blessings to eat thereof (the sacrifice) and feed the beggar and the suppliant

The Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid Al-Adha, Kurban) In this feast people go to mosques on the first day of the feast and after the prayer everybody congratulates each others feast by shaking hands and sometimes hugging each other

The Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid Al-Adha, Kurban) People visit their friends and neighbors and they serves delicious desserts and drinks This feast holiday gives opportunity to people to go to their home towns and visit their parents and relatives Sacrifice Feast is a fun for kids, they play games with their friends and they congratulates elder people’s feast and show their respect to them

The Story of the Ka’bah Prophet Abraham (pbuh), his wife Hajar and their child Ishmael came to Arabia Prophet Abraham received the revelation from Allah to build a shrine dedicated to Him alone (5:97)

The Story of the Ka’bah Abraham and Ishmael obeyed without question and constructed a small stone structure (Ka’bah) which has to be gathering place for all who wished to strengthen their faith in Allah (2:125) People began to settling around Ka’bah in the valley of Becca and the name later changed to Mecca (or Makkah)

The Story of the Ka’bah Mecca became a vibrant city due to its water source of Zamzam (Zamzam: the water sprang forth miraculously under Ishmael's (PBUH) tiny feet) People began to develop false ideas and about many gods and Ka’bah was turned into a house to store idols and statues which people worshipped besides Allah.

The Story of the Ka’bah And Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a descendant of Prophet Abraham and Ishmael to restore the Ka’bah to the worship of true God. Ka’bah is the center towards which Muslims pray.

The Muslim Pilgrimage (Hajj) Hajj takes place 8 th -13 th of Dhul-Hijjah more than 2 million people gather The fifth pillar of Islam is Hajj the others are declaration of faith daily prayers offering a regular charity fasting during Ramadan) It is the journey which every sane, adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it and they are physically able

The Muslim Pilgrimage (Hajj) Once a year muslims of every ethnic group, color social status and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Ka’bah The people performing Hajj wear simple white clothes, simple sandals and spend about a week together performing acts of worship.

The Muslim Pilgrimage (Hajj) Hajj is a congregational prayer The Hajj is the yearly gathering whereby Muslims affirm their unity and humility before their Lord During Hajj everyone are treated as equals

The Muslim Pilgrimage (Hajj) Special supplication (Talbiyah) made to Allah during Hajj: Labbayk, Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayk. La shareeka laka. Labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-n'imata laka wal-mulk. La shareeka lak." Here I am at Your service. O Allah, here I am at Your service. There is no partner with You. Here I am at Your service. All praise and blessings belong to You. All dominion is Yours and You have no partner.

Thank you…