Eid Ul Adha NZ: In New Zealand, Muslims will look-out for the new moon today (July 21 2020) that means the Islamic Month Zul Hajj began and Eid will be celebrated on July 31 2020. Said Tahir Nawaz
If there is no new moon today, Eid al Adha festivities will begin on August 01 2020.Eid Ul Hada is also known as Bakra Eid, in the Indian subcontinent.
Eid al Adha – the second holiest festival of Muslims around the world also coincides with annual Hajj ritual
According to Gulf News, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced that Friday, July 31, will be the first day of Eid Al Adha.
About the Writer: Tahir Nawaz is Senior Analyst of Muslim Affairs of New Zealand & Global Muslims. He is Current President of International Muslim Association of New Zealand (IMAN).
Tahir is also Adjunct Research Fellow at Victoria University of Wellington and actively involved in the interfaith communities and current member of Wellington Abrahamic Council of New Zealand.
Eid ul Adha is the second Eid of every Islamic year, it is also called Festival of Sacrifice. On this day Muslims sacrifice (qurban) an animal, and divide into three parts, one part is distributed among the poors, second part is given to the relatives and third part is kept at home for own use. The Eid is celebrated at the end of Hajj, on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. On this day, every muslim offers Namaz e Eid in the mosque, or at designated special places, the Eid prayer is offered early morning, after that the process of Qurbani starts, and the meat is distributed among the poor and family members. Special meat dishes are prepared on this day at every house, and the meat of sacrificed animal is cooked. You can find the exact date of Eid al Adha in New Zealand on this page according to the Islamic month and calendar.
What is Eid-ul Adha Qurbani?
Qurban/Udhiya during Eid-ul Adha is an act to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice as mentioned in the Quran. When Ishmael was about 13 (Abraham/Ibrahim being 99), God decided to test their faith in public. Abraham had a recurring dream, in which God was commanding him to offer up for sacrifice – an unimaginable act – his son, whom God had granted him off his second wife Hagar (Hājar), his Arabian (Adnan) wife after many years of deep prayer. Abraham knew that the dreams of the prophets were divinely inspired, and one of the ways in which God communicated with his prophets. When the intent of the dreams became clear to him, Abraham decided to fulfill God’s command and offer Ishmael for sacrifice.
Although Abraham was ready to sacrifice his dearest for God’s sake, he could not just bring his son to the place of sacrifice without his consent. Ishmael had to be consulted as to whether he was willing to give up his life in fulfilment of God’s command. This consultation would be a major test of Ishmael’s maturity in faith; love and commitment for God; willingness to obey his father; and readiness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of God.
Abraham presented the matter to his son and asked for his opinion about the dreams of slaughtering him. Ishmael did not show any hesitation or reservation even for a moment. He said, “Father, do what you have been commanded. You will find me, Insha’Allah (God willing), to be very patient.” His mature response, his deep insight into the nature of his father’s dreams, his commitment to God, and ultimately his willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of God were all unprecedented.
When Abraham attempted to cut Ishmael’s throat, he was astonished to see that Ishmael was unharmed and instead, he found a dead ram which was slaughtered. Abraham had passed the test by his willingness to carry out God’s command.[1][12] Qurban in Islamic terms means the slaughtering of an animal with the intention of getting close to Allah (SWT) by giving some or all of the meat to the poor and destitute. Animals that can be sacrificed are goats, cows and camels. They are sacrificed on the day of Eid-ul-Adha and also on the three days after (the 11, 12 and 13th of Dhulhijjah).
What are the Benefits of Qurban?
Giving meat to the poor and destitute as required when doing Qurban spreads happiness so they may also enjoy the event of Eid-ul-Adha as it is a time of celebration and festivities for all Muslims.
Who should give Qurban?
Persons who possess Nisab (minimum amount of wealth requiring them to pay Zakat) should give Qurbani. It is not obligatory (fard) but is highly recommended (wajib)* according to the Hanafi school of thought. However, Qurban is a Sunnah act according to the Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki, and Jafari schools of thought.
What are the Requirements for Qurban?
The animals to be slaughtered must be a goat, sheep, cattle (cow, ox, water buffalo), or camel. The animals must be slaughtered in the appropriate humane ways. It has to be done by a Muslim adhering to the Islamic way of slaughtering the animal.
When Should Qurban be Performed?
The time for performing Qurban starts from sunrise after the performance of the Eid-ul-Adha prayers which falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah until the sunsets on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. The best time is to perform the act of Qurban immediately after the completion of the Eid-ul-Adha prayers.
How should the Distribution of the Qurban Meat be Done?
It is preferable that the meat from Qurban be divided in three equal parts: one for the home, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy. The meat from qurban can be distributed to the poor, rich, Muslim or non-Muslim.
