Actor Irrfan Khan gave bold observations on Ramzan and Muharram. He questioned whether the essence of fasting during Ramzan and sacrifice had been lost. He believes that the Muslims have made Tamasha (scene) of the rituals. He was very vocal in explaining that the Qurbani means sacrificing something close to your heart and sharing with others. Today, you buy a goat from the market for sacrifice. It is something to think about, it is a matter of common sense, we all should ask ourselves how sacrificing another life earns us any goodwill, not only that but [inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”” suffix=””]Mr. Khan stressed that it is important to “understand the meaning of rituals and festivals” or they can be misused[/inlinetweet]. He thinks his community has made a mockery of Muharram. It is meant for mourning and they take out processions.
He also criticised Muslim leaders for not speaking up on terrorism.
The controversy angered many Muslim leaders; they came in defending the rituals and warned him to refrain from spreading half knowledge on the Internet.
Meanwhile, if we go in depth, it’s not only Muslims but even Hindus and other faiths also believe in the concept of sacrifice, which according to me is also really meaningless. Killing an innocent animal in the name of God cannot be holy event and I’m no god wants lacerates of its own creation by another invention.
Muslims from all over the world anticipate the annual three-day celebration of a historical event that took place thousands of years ago during the time of Prophet Abraham. This occasion, known as Eid-ul-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice, is a representation of two significant Islamic events: the culmination of the Hajj (or pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia), and the sacrifice that God (Allah) commanded to Prophet Abraham of his beloved son, Ismail.
Eid-ul-Adha is observed on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. While Muslims all around the world celebrate this day, it has particular significance for the pilgrims performing the Hajj.
In order to understand the context of Eid-ul-Adha, one must describe the Hajj with which it is associated. Allah had made the Hajj mandatory upon mankind initially during the time of Prophet Abraham: [inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”” suffix=””]“And make a proclamation of Hajj to mankind; they will come to you on foot and on lean camels from every distant quarter.”[/inlinetweet] (Quran: Ch 22, v27). Over time, however, the spread of idolatry across Arabia caused the rituals of hajj to become extremely distorted. With the advent of Islam and Prophet Muhammad, Allah had reinstated Hajj as the fifth pillar of Islam, and described the correct manner in which it was to be performed.
In addition to signifying the completion of the Hajj, Eid-ul-Adha honours the enormous sacrifice that was to be made by Prophet Abraham. The story narrated behind scarifies follows as, Abraham was ordered by Allah to sacrifice his dearly beloved son, Ismail, as a test of obedience. Abraham willingly submitted to Allah’s command, wherein Allah, by His Mercy, replaced Ismail at the moment of sacrifice with a lamb. Abraham’s selfless act of obedience is honoured by the sacrifice of a domestic animal such as a lamb, sheep, cow, or goat, the meat of which is then distributed to relatives, neighbours, and the poor.
Eid-ul-Adha demonstrates the charitable instincts of Muslims in their communal effort to see that no one is left deprived of the sacrificial meat. It further embodies the values of discipline and self-denial, and submitting to the will of Allah. However, nowadays they cut the either goat, sheep or camel (as one can afford). They feed the animal for few days and take care of it and finally cut its throat. However, there is no emotional attachment with the animal, the very purpose of bringing that cattle is to ‘sacrifices’. The festivities begins in the morning after Fajr (morning) prayer, where Muslims, dressed in their finest clothes, attend the congregational prayer followed by a sermon. Upon completion of the services, people greet each other with the blessings of Eid. The question of the perceived cruelty to the sacrificial animal may disturb some people.
As Irrfan Khan said, Muharram is for mourning but not for processions. However, Muslims believe that the Ashura is an ancient adherence, which is recognized, differently in the two major sects of Islam – the Shia and Sunni communities, for different reasons. Nevertheless, the day of Ashura remains of great importance to both the communities. Sunni Muslims observe the day by fasting. Shias flagellate themselves during a Muharram procession. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is observed around the world for 10 days of mourning in remembrance of martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed.
These are rigid religious beliefs, as many other religious philosophies, if we really keep on debating on right and wrong then believe me, we will find everyone wrong and no one will be declared as doing or believing right faith. Actually, religion has no conscientious understanding; it’s just a conditioning and one need to go with it.
(With Inputs From Various Sources)
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