Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 24
Trend:
Azerbaijan today marks Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). It is one of the oldest holidays. The religious ritual of sacrificing existed long before Islam.
There were new goals and causes of the religious ritual of sacrificing in the Islamic world after the second year of the Hijrah (the year when the Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina). Thus, the religious rite of sacrifice created such symbols in Islam as a high spiritual state, religion, patronage, help to others, etc.
The religious rite of sacrifice appeared after the case with the Prophet Ibrahim. Ibrahim dreamed that Allah ordered him to sacrifice his son Ismail to test his faith. As a true believer, Ibrahim was ready to execute an instruction of Allah. Ismail himself was ready to become a victim. However, according to Quran, Allah sent a sheep and it was sacrificed.
During Eid al-Adha every noble Muslim must sacrifice an animal, and gift meat to the poor and indigent. Here the main goal is to become a true believer. Quran says: "Allah needs neither meat, nor blood of animal, but only your faith".