This week Sunday Muslims will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha across the country.
This day signals the end of the Haj period, while reminding Muslims of the sacrifice of Ebrahim (A.S) one of the prophets of Allah.
Ebrahim (A.S) was instructed by Allah to sacrifice his son Ismaeel (A.S) to show his faith.
Ismaeel (A.S) gladly told his father to sacrifice him, if their lord had asked it of them.
However, when the time came for the sacrifice, the knife would not cut through Ismaeel’s (A.S) neck.
Ebrahim (A.S) attempted to sharpen the knife and begin again, but still the knife would not cut through.
One the third attempt, Allah replaced Ismaeel (A.S) with a ram from heaven and the father and son were elated at this.
In remembering the sacrifice of Ebrahim (A.S), Muslims who have the appropriate means, will purchase and slaughter a sheep, cow or camel, as a means of sacrifice to Allah.
The slaughtering is done while following both the appropriate Islamic rites, and as humanely as possible so as to ensure the animals do not suffer in the slightest.
The meal from the animal is either distributed among the poor, or kept by the slaughterer and their family.
The Newcastle Advertiser team would like to wish our Muslim readership a joyous Eid-Mubarak.