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Saturday, December 15, 2007

Muslims commemorate Abraham's sacrifice - some plan holy pilgrimage

Abraham is a revered figure in all three major monotheistic religion: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

Every year, millions of Muslims around the world commemorate the trials and triumphs of Prophet Ibrahim (in English, Abraham) by performing a pilgrimage, Hajj, to the sacred city of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. Muslims who can afford it are expected to make the pilgrimmage at least once in their lifetime. Those who cannot afford to perform Hajj join their Muslim brothers by celebrating Eid-al-Adha with their local communities. This year the festival begins Dec. 19 and lasts three days.

Hajj is the fifth "pillar" of Islam. The other four pillars are:
* Declaration of faith: "There is no deity worth being worshipped except The God and Muhammad is His messenger."
* Five times daily prayer.
* Fasting in the month of Ramadan.
* Zakat, compulsory alms-giving at the end of year on the savings.
The Hajj is designed to attain God-consciousness and spiritual uplifting. This is also an opportunity to seek Allah's forgiveness of the sins accumulated during the pilgrim's lifetime. Prophet Muhammad said, "Whosoever performs Hajj properly will return as a newly born baby (free of sin)."
Eid-al-Adha, or the Muslim "Festival of Sacrifice," is observed by those unable to make the pilgrimmage. During the Eid-al-Adha, Muslims wear their nicest clothing and attend a special group prayer at a mosque or open field. After prayer, they greet each other with the traditional greeting, "Eid Mubarak," meaning "Holiday Blessings."
A goat, lamb or camel is sacrificed as a symbol of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. The meat is mostly distributed among relatives, friends and especially poor and needy people. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are dear and close to our hearts to seek the pleasure of God.
The symbol of sacrifice is in the attitude -- a willingness to sacrifice worldly possessions that seem important to our lives in order to stay on the straight path.
"It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." Al-Quran (22:37)
A true Muslim submits his or her will completely to the commands of God as exemplified by Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son and his son's willingness to be sacrificed to fulfill the command of their Lord.
Abraham's life is an example for the whole world and for every nation.
It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and complete, unbounded, no-string-attached obedience that our Lord desires from all human beings.
Allah says, "Surely Ibrahim was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful of our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." Al-Quran (16:20-21)

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