Bakra Eid is a occasion celebrated by the Muslims across the world. It is a Muslim festival of giving and sacrifices. On this day people thank the Creator for their good fortune and do special services to the less fortunate people in a respect of sharing their fortune. Popularly on this day animal are slaughtered and their meat is distributed among the needy and deprived as an sacrificial offering.

Historical Background

Bakra Eid Festival

An interesting story relates the origin and the underlying belief of the festival. It is said that Allah, the Almighty God ordered Hazrat Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son Ismail. Hazrat Mohammad unable to see the death of his child in front of his eyes covered his eyes with a black cloth and drew the blade over. When he opened the blindfold in front of him layed a dead body of a lamb and his son remained unharmed. It was then that Ibrahim understood that God was checking his devotion towards Him. Whether he could give up his dearest thing to Him.

Thus the inner meaning of the festival is that God does not demand flesh and blood but demands complete surrender and devotion towards Him. The animal sacrifice is made on this day to commemorate the noble deed of Hazrat and mainly for providing Food for the poor and less fortunate ones. That is what the underlying meaning of the festival is only the spirit of sacrifice. The day also coincide with the final completion of the Holy Quran.

Rituals

Bakra Eid is celebrated in the muslim month of Dhul Hijjah. Every year pilgrims go to mount Mina and make sacrifices especially of a lamb to commemorate the noble deed of Hazrat. The festival is celebrated by muslims throughout the world in a very similar way. It is expected from every true muslim to sacrifice at least one four legged animal as goat, sheep etc and specially from those who possesses at least 400gms of Gold or is capable of having meal at least two time a day. The sacrifice is done mainly before the afternoon of the third day and the meat is distributed among the poor. Festivities are marked by people wearing new colorful dresses and greeting friends , family and relatives.