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USA THANKSGIVING DINNER
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EID UL ADHA FEAST
By: Shaikh Shafayat Mohamed
It is more virtuous to do the Qurbaani where you live
On Thursday 22 November 2007 Americans throughout the USA celebrated and commemorated THANKSGIVING DAY. Many Muslims also celebrated the THANKSGIVING DAY with their families here in the USA. This celebration has not only become a part of many Muslims of today, but will continue to be part of the future generations here in the USA. While this is a good practice and THANKSGIVING for the favors bestowed by God on the pilgrims to America, it is important to note that this commemoration exist basically due to the fact that the Americans of yesteryears have consistently kept the celebration alive with the Turkey dinner etc., hence the reason why THANKSGIVING DAY HAS BECOME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY. On the other hand, Eid Ul Adha is the FESTIVAL OF THE SACRIFICE ordained by Allaah to celebrate that great trial or test that Prophet Ebraheem A.S. passed. Therefore, it is important for Muslims of today to strive and make the effort to celebrate the EID UL ADHA FEAST, by bringing families and friends together to share in an EID FEAST at home or at Islamic Centers. If this doesn’t happen on a wide scale in all communities here in America, soon the future generations would lose the significance and practicality of Eid Ul Adha . Muslim children would grow up only knowing about THANKSGIVING DINNER rather than an EID FEAST.
Allaah in the Qur’aan commands and authorizes that the Eid Feast should continue for all times - Chapter 37 Verse 106-107 “For this was obviously a trial, and We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice, and We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times.
While, there are many Muslims who pray the Eid salaah and do the Eid feast here in the USA, there are still many who do not commemorate the EID UL ADHA FESTIVAL. There are some who only pray the Eid here in the USA, but perform the animal sacrifice in another country. This may be valid, but would not be fulfilling the true sacrifice and feast of Eid ul Adha . If Muslims want to help the poor and needy in foreign countries, they should send sadqa/charity for them rather than eradicating the practicality of the Eid FEAST here in the USA. If we compare the two Eids, we’ll see that a lesser number of Muslims celebrate Eid Ul Adha in the West.
The true Sunnah of the Holy Prophet S.A.W. was to do the sacrifice and feast oneself . This has great wisdom and virtues. The following sayings of the Prophet S.A.W certify the virtues and personal touch to the sacrifice and feast.
The Prophet (SAW) said to Fatima (RA): “O Fatima, stand and witness your sacrifice for verily all your sins are forgiven when the first drop of blood falls. And say: ‘Verily, my prayer and my sacrifice, and my life and my death, are only for Allah, the Lord of the Universe. He hath no partner. With that I have been commanded and I am the first of the Muslims.’ One of the companions then enquired: “O Messenger of Allah, is this only for you and your family, or for all the Muslims?” The Prophet (SAW) answered: “It is for all the Muslims!”
Hazrat Ibn Umar reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. lived in Madinah for ten years and performed ‘Qurbani’ every year. (Tirmizi)
Hazrat Abu Hurairah reported that Rasoolullaah said, : “Whoever has the capacity to do the sacrifice and does not do so, should not come to the place where the Eid prayer is offered.” (Ibn Majah).
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