Eid-ul-Duha (festival of the sacrifice) is celebrated by Muslims around the world on 10th Zul Hajja, the 12th month of Islamic Calendar. The festival is celebrated in memory of the offer of sacrifice of his young son Ismael by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (aa). However, at the Critical moment the son Hz. Ismail (aa) was miraculously removed from under the knife in Hz. Ibrahim (aa)'s hand and replaced with a ram by the archangel Hz. Jibraeel (aa) at Allah's Command.

Allah desired that the later generations of mankind should commemorate this event by sacrificing animals. Human sacrifice, hitherto practiced by mankind for various purposes was thus put to an end for ever.

Early morning on the Eid day the Muslims offer prayers at the Idgah or Masjid. The Imam delivers sermon narrating the life history of Hz. Ibrahim leading to the event of the sacrifice. The Imam explains the Sharia law regarding the Hajj and Qurbani (sacrifice).

After the Eid prayers people offer sacrifice of animals at their homes or convenient place. The sacrificial animal should be healthy, clean, unblemished and mature. Only domesticated animals like Goat, Sheep, Cattle and Camel (all these happen to be herbivorous) are permitted to be sacrificed. Other Domesticated and Wild Animals (either herbivorous or carnivorous), Birds and Aquatic Creatures are NOT PERMITTED TO BE SACRIFICED. Smaller animals like Goat and Sheep are sacrificed at the scale of one animal p er person. Large animals such as Cattle and Camel are sacrificed at the scale of one animal collectively by seven persons. There is NO COMPULSION to sacrifice any particular category of animal from among the permitted ones. Selection of the animal is based on easy availability, feasibility and convenience. The sacrifice can be offered on any one of the three successive days starting from the Eid Day. The meat of the sacrificed animal is divided into three equal parts and each part distributed among the (i) Poor People, (ii) Kin & friends, (iii) Self.

The Hajj performance at Mecca is conducted during the first week of Zul-Hajja culminating into Hajj Prayers and the sacrifice of animals on the 8th of the month. The pilgrims visit the Mazar of Prophet Mohammed (sas) at Madina to offer Reverences and Darood & Fateha. They offer prayers at Masjid-e-Nabavi (Prophet's Mosque) built by him in his residential complex. The original mosque built by him was made of mud walls with thatched roof which leaked when it rained. It has been reconstructed. His Mazar Share ef is in the same premises.

Since Hazrat Ibrahim (aa) (Prophet Abraham) is the central figure in this event of Hajj and Sacrifice, it is advisable to get enlightened on his life history. Over 5000 years B.C. Hz. Ibrahim (aa) was born to Hz. Tarakh at UR in Babylon. Babylon was located just a few miles from present day Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. Babylon was the citadel of a great civilization. The people were Pagan and worshipped Objects of Nature and their King as God. King Nemrud ruled Babylon when Hz. Ibrahim (aa) was born. The king was forewarned through a dream that a child born that year in his kingdom would be the cause for his ruin and destruction.

The king ordered the slaughter of all new born babies and banned conjugal union between the married couples for one year. As destined, Hz. Ibrahim (aa) was born that year. His mother delivered him in a cave at a secluded hill and left the infant there for fear of getting detected. The infant was brought up by the archangel Jibraeel (aa) by providing milk in one thumb and honey in the other thumb of the infant who suckled his thumbs when hungry. The mother was thrilled at this spectacle and thanked Allah pr ofusely for taking care of her child.

She paid periodic visits stealthily to avoid detection. She took the child home after the king revoked his order for slaughter of the infants. Hz. Ibrahim (aa) grew up into a healthy, handsome youth. He challenged the king to prove his claim to Godhood. Naturally the king did not relish the daring attitude of the Prophet. Hz. Ibrahim (aa) advised the people and his sculptor uncle Aazar to give up Paganism and the immoral practices, and tread the Path of Righteousness. Though the sermons and guidance of the prophet were reasonable and morally sound, the people found it impossible to get rid of age old traditions. Finally, sensing threat to his authority, the king declared the punishment of death by burning alive Hz. Ibrahim (aa). Allah saved the prophet from the ordeal of fire and turned the burning embers into a bed of flowers for Hz. Ibrahim (aa).

Disgusted with the attitude of the people and the cunningcraft of king Nemrud, Hz. Ibrahim (aa) left for Syria. Enroute, in the city of Khazaen he married Bibi Sara, the beautiful princess of that kingdom. After a short stay there, they left for Syria. En route, after witnessing a miracle of Bibi Sara and sensing her divine attributes, the king of Egypt gifted a palace maid, Bibi Hajara as an attendant to Bibi Sara. The three then proceeded to Syria.

As Bibi Sara did not bear any child for long, she thought that she was barren and to get a heir, forced Hz Ibrahim (aa) to marry Bibi Hajara. From this marriage Hz Bibi Hajara gave birth to Hz Ismail (aa). Later Hz Bibi Sara also conceived and gave birth to Hz Isahaq (aa). Hz Ismail (aa) and Hz. Isahaq (aa), the two sons of Hz Ibrahim (aa) are also Prophets, among whose later generations the Prophets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam took birth. With the assistance of his elder son Hz. Ismail (aa), Hz Ibr ahim (aa) built Kaaba in Mecca at the exact spot (shown by Angel Jibrael (aa) where Hz Adam (aa) offered his first prayer on this earth and pleaded with Allah to pardon him for disobeying His Command. This first sin (disobedience) committed by the first man (Hz Adam aa) was pardoned by Allah. In line with the tradition set by Hz. Adam (aa), Hz. Ibrahim (aa) guided his followers to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca and offer prayers to Allah at the Kaaba to get their sins pardoned.

Hz. Ibrahim (aa) is the Patriarch of the family of Prophets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Prophets Mosses, Jesus and Mohammed, the respective founders of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are the direct descendants of prophet Ibrahim (aa). Hence they are blood brothers. The Mausoleum of the Patriarch enshrining the mazaar of Hz. Ibrahim (aa) is located in Hebron, Palestine. It is revered equally with full devotion by the followers of all these three religions.

The great deluge submerged the entire earth in the waters of the oceans for over six months. A pair each of all the Creatures and the followers of Prophet Noha who rode his Ark escaped the wrath of the flood. The Ark settled down on mount Judea after six months when the flood waters subsided. The men and the creatures landed safely on the earth, and multiplied in number and gradually spread around the world establishing human habitations. Everyone followed the religion of Noha. Later generations interprete d Noha's religion to suit their own ends. Over a period of time the religion got distorted. Many prophets appeared in different regions and guided mankind to follow the correct religion. Regional versions of the religion differed from community to community though the basic tenets were the same. Hz Ibrahim (aa) consolidated these religions and knit them into a simple form which could be understood by the masses around the world. The present day religions of the world contain the essence of Hz Ibrahim (aa)' s teachings. His religion spread far and wide into the countries of Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, Iran and Surrounding areas. Through the prophets among his offspring his teachings have spread all over the world. Prophet Mohammed (sas) stated that his religion is the religion of Hz Ibrahim (aa). To authenticate this statement he introduced Darood-e-Ibrahimi in all the prayers offered by his followers. Further, he introduced the pilgrimage to Kaaba, the holy shrine built by Hz. Ibrahim (aa) and has guide d the pilgrims among his followers to kiss Hajre Aswad (black stone) embedded in the wall of Kaaba and offer two Rakaat prayer facing another piece of the same rock installed on a pillar nearby. This is done to express profound reverence to Hz Ibrahim (aa), since he (Hz. Ibrahim aa) stood on this huge meteoric rock while constructing the Kaaba. The kaaba has been reconstructed by Prophet Mohamed (sas) and Hajre Aswed installed in the wall and on the pillar to safeguard it. He has also introduced Sunnat-e-I brahimi such as throwing stones at the Satan, Sacrificing animals at the place where Hz. Ibrahim (aa) offered the sacrifice, the use of water of Zam-Zam etc. Some of the acts of Bibi Hajara (running between Safa & Marva) and Prophet Mohammed (sas)'s (Ramal in Tawaf) are emulated by the pilgrims in Hajj rituals.

Mystics among the Sufi Saints believe that lord Brahma and Hz. Ibrahim is one and the same entity. There is a variation in the pronunciation of the name of the same divine. The elite Brahmins who claim to be the offspring of lord Brahma are Saadat-e-Ibrahimi the way, Saadaats among Sayyed Muslims are the offspring of Prophet Mohamed (sas). The way the Gita emanated from the mouth of lord Krishna, Bible from the mouth of lord Jesus, and Quran from the mouth of lord Mohammed, the Vedas have emanated from the mouth of lord Brahma. The Vedas are the same as Sahifa-e-Ibrahimi. This belief of the Sufi Saints is projected in this write up only to highlight the Oneness of Religions. Sanatan Dhrama (Old Testament in the Bible), the original religion of Prophet Noha was consolidated by Hz Ibrahim in the Sahifa-e-Ibrahimi (lord Brahmas Vedas) and passed on to later generations of mankind. If this belief is accepted Hz Ibrahim (Lord Brahma) is certainly the creator of present day religious order. He is the father of mo dern religion.

It is this lofty divine Hz Ibrahim (lord Brahma) who is mentioned by Allah in the Quranic Verses given at the start of this write up. Correct understanding of Religion and putting it to practice will definitely usher in Global Peace, Progress and Prosperity for the entire mankind. Eid-ul-Duha gives the message of sacrifice of One's interests for the overall benefit of mankind. Eid means happiness. Happiness must be shared in order to create joyous atmosphere all around.

Eid-ul-Duha Mubarak To All!