Hari Raya Aidil Adha or Hari Raya Haji as it is known in
Malaysia is a festival celebrated by Muslims all over the globe. The
festivities associated with Hari Raya Aidil Adha usually extend over three
days. The Islamic calendar Hiraj, stipulates that the festival commences on the
10th day of Dhul Hija, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Typically, Hari Raya Haji is celebrated seventy days after the holy month of
Ramadhan. Hari Raya Aidil Adha for 2013
is slated for 15th October.
Hari Raya Adil Adha has much religious significance as it
essentially commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son,
Prophet Ismail in accordance with the will of Allah. The incident is mentioned
in the Holy Quran, which also adds that just as Prophet Ibrahim was about to
deliver the fatal blow, Allah appeared and replaced Prophet Ismail with a ram.
Hence, Hari Raya Adil Adha is regarded as a ‘festival of sacrifice’ and is also
known as Hari Raya Korban for the term ‘Korban’ means sacrifice.
The festival also marks the end of ‘Haj’ the largest annual
pilgrimage in the world. During Haj, thousands of Muslim pilgrims from all over
the world congregate on the Holy land in Mecca to perform a series of rituals.
The annual Haj pilgrimage is thought to be the fifth pillar of Islam and every
able-bodied Muslim man or woman who is equipped with financial means is expected to undertake this journey to
Mecca at least once during his/her lifetime.
As the concept of selfless sacrifice is integral to the festival
of Hari Raya Aidil Adha, families or even local communities in Malaysia come
together to sacrifice animals like lambs, goats, cows, bulls and camels as they
celebrate the festival. On the day of Hari Raya Aidil Adha, congregational
prayers are held at the local mosque, after which the animals are sacrificed
according to the diktats of Islam. Most well-off Muslims in Malaysia tend to
sponsor these animal sacrifices for Hari Raya Aidil Adha.
The meat so obtained is distributed in three parts. The family
or the local community which supplies the animal retains one third of the
share, another third is distributed amongst friends, relatives and neighbors
while the rest of the meat is given to the poor and needy.
After the sacrifice, the congregation disperses to spend the
rest of the day with friends and relatives as is customary during any festival.
The celebrations associated with Hari Raya Aidil Adha in Malaysia may appear to
be rather solemn but the festival nonetheless has much religious significance as
it reminds Muslims to reaffirm their faith in God and thank him for his many
blessings.
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