Hari Raya Aidil-Adha

Hari Raya Aidil-Adha 

by : Yahya Ibrahim

Hari Raya Aidil Adha is celebrated by Muslims all over the world on the 10th of Zulhijjah (the last month of the Islamic calendar) every year, to mark the end of the hajj pilgrimage. Every year millions of Muslims journey to the holy land of Mecca to perform the hajj, and this is one of basic tenets of Islam. This year, the date falls on the 15 of October in the Roman Calendar.

In Indonesia, Aidil-Adha is commonly known as Hari Raya Haji or Hari Raya Korban. The word “Korban” means sacrifice and this is significant to the celebration as it also commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (PBUH)as an act of obedience to Allah S.W.T.

According the Holy Quran, as Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was about to strike his son Prophet Ismail (PBUH), when God intervened and replaced his son with a ram. It was merely a test of faith after all.

Therefore, during Hari Raya Aidil Adha, it is customary for families or local communities to slaughter animals such as lambs, goats, cows, bulls or camels. The meat of the animal will be divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the other third is given to the poor and needy.