Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)

Id-ul-Zuha, widely known in India as Bakrid or Eid-ul-Adha, is a major nationwide Islamic festival that honors devotion, submission, and spiritual sacrifice. Observed on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, it also marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

The historical roots of Id-ul-Zuha trace back to the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who received a divine command in a vision to sacrifice his most cherished possession. Demonstrating supreme faith and obedience, Ibrahim agreed to offer his son, Ismail. Upon seeing Ibrahim's unwavering devotion, God intervened through an angel and instructed him to sacrifice a ram in place of his son.

To commemorate this act of obedience and devotion, Muslims across the world perform a ritual sacrifice during the festival. In India, where goats (known as 'bakra' in Urdu) are most commonly offered, the festival came to be colloquially termed Bakrid, alongside its formal Arabic names Id-ul-Zuha and Eid al-Adha.

On the morning of Id-ul-Zuha, worshippers dress in new attire and gather at local mosques or open-air Eidgahs for special congregation prayers and sermons. Following prayers, families perform the ritual animal sacrifice (Qurbani), adhering to guidelines where the meat is shared in three equal portions: one third for the impoverished and needy, one third for extended family and neighbours, and one third for the household. Families gather to enjoy elaborate festive meals featuring mutton biryani, kebabs, and traditional desserts like sheer khurma, while elders distribute monetary gifts known as Eidi to children.