Eid ul-Azha

Eid ul-Azha is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah; right after the termination of the rites of Hajj. It is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice” or the “Greater Eid”. It is an Islamic festival to commemorate the sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail (AS) by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) as an act of obedience of Allah. But instead of Ismail a ram was sacrificed by Allah’s command. In remembrance and honor of this great sacrifice Muslims all over the world sacrifice a domestic animal, such as a cow, sheep, goat, or camel, by slaughter. This ritual observance lasts until sunset of the 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Hajj and the great sacrifice are the remembrance of the trails, hardships and triumphs of the Prophet Ibrahim. The Quran says:

 "Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for 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." (Qur'an 16:120-121) 

Of the many trials that Prophet Ibrahim had to face during his life time, the sacrifice of his only son Ismail was perhaps the hardest and the most difficult one. When he was given the command he didn’t think for a second and prepared himself to do it. He showed that his love for his Creator was more than anything compared. To honor his great sacrifice Allah made it customary for the Muslims to sacrifice animals on that particular day for eternity.

The meat from the sacrifice on Eid ul-Azha is be divided into three equal parts to be distributed to others. The family eats one third, another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors, and the other third is given to the poor & needy as a gift. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of beneficial and close to our hearts and that nothing is more important than to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need.

Zamzam

Zamzamis holy water. It is the most purest and beneficial among all waters present in the world. The Muslims hold zamzam with high esteem. The well of zamzam is located at Makkah in the mosque of bait-ul-muqadaas. A little history is associated with this holy water and relates to the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). Once Prophet Ibrahim was asked by Allah to leave his wife Hajira and son in a desert. It was an exam set by Allah to test Ibrahim (A.S) love for Him. With no second thoughts and whole hearted trust in Allah, Ibrahim (A.S) left his wife and baby Ishmail in hot dry desert. The first thing Hajira had to do then was to look for water in the area. In her desperate search for water, Hajira ran seven times back and forth in the scorching heat between the two hills of Safa and Marwa to provide for her baby who was dying of thirst. She was searching for it while watching at her son and would run whenever she could not see Ismail. Allah (SWT) saw her effort and miraculously blessed the spot with a water spring, at the feet of Ismail (A.S). From then on this well retains its importance in the eyes of Muslims.

There are many superficial, physical and health issues related to zamzam. This miraculous water quenches the thirst and hunger. Prophet Muhammad said: "The best water on the face of the earth is the water of zamzam; it is a kind of food and a healing from sickness." Messenger of Allah also said: "Zamzam water is what one intends to drink for. When one drinks it to be healed, Allah heals him; when one drinks it be full, Allah makes him full; and when one drinks it to quench his thirst, Allah quenches it." [Ahmad and Ibn Maajah].  The water of zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.

“O Allaah, Ibn Abi’l-Mawaali told us from Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir from Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) that Your Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.’ I am drinking it to ward off thirst on the Day of Resurrection.” Ibn Abi’l-Mawaali is thiqah (trustworthy) so the hadith is hasan (good).

Hence if a person drinks it for curing himself from sickness, he will be cured. If he drinks to wash away his sins and seek forgiveness, he would be forgiven. So the intention of what one wants to gain by drinking this water really matters. He should drink his fill, i.e., fill his stomach with it until it is filled to the ribs, because this water is good. A hadith has been narrated concerning this: the difference between the believers and the hypocrites is drinking one’s fill of zamzam water [Ibn Maajah in al-Manaasik]. During Hajj and Umra, pilgrims are recommended to drink Zamzam water to their fill to quench their thirst. They also continue the tradition of bringing it back for family and friends. The water in the well never dries or ends. It is limitless. But thinking that sine it is available in huge supply we are not supposed to waste it. The water zamzam has numerous benefits associated with it.