Bakr Id in Kerala

“Praise the symbolic sacrifice for supreme sacrifice Spread the festive spirit to the poor and needy cos God is Great, God is Great……..”

Like a fresh breeze of the gracious winter Id-ul-Adha is approaching to bring peace and tranquility and festive spirit to millions of souls. The feast of sacrifice, Idul-Adha, popularly known as Bakrid, is celebrated on the tenth day of the month Dhu'l Hijja.

This festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. While the pilgrims are making their sacrifices at Mina, the ceremony is observed simultaneously by Muslims everywhere.

According to Islamic belief, to test Prophet Ibrahim's faith, Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail. He agreed to do it but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So he blind - folded himself before putting Ismail on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. When he removed his bandage after performing the act, he saw his son standing in front of him, alive. On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb.

The sacrifice offered on the day of Idul-Adha has been instituted in commemoration of the Prophet’s willingness to offer up his only son Ishmael. The sacrificial offering is divided into three portions, one being set apart for household consumption, and another for friends and relatives and the third for the poor and needy. The distribution of the offering enjoined by the holy Law is designed to provide a substantial meal to the poor on this festive occasion.

The animal sacrifice can be offered on the first day of the festival or any time later till the afternoon of the third day following it. For four days on this occasion, i.e., from the morning of the ninth to the afternoon prayer of the fourteenth of Dhu'l Hijja, special praise and glory to God is recited after every prayer.

Rituals on Bakrid, the Muslims go to the mosques in the morning to offer prayers to Allah, and then sacrifice the animal at home. Bakr means 'sheep', and on Bakrid, the affluent sacrifice one animal per member of the family, and distribute two-thirds of the meat among the poor. A full-grown camel, goat or sheep, free from any disease, is sacrificed. Bakrid is also a day for feasting and visiting friends to say Id Mubarak

This day dawns with the resounding of Thakbir (Allahu Akbar), the declaration that God is great. Every Muslim house wakes up with the spirit of sacrifice and festivity. Men, women and children, dress themselves in their best attire and reciting the Thakbir, proceed to the Id-Gah which is the wide open space set apart for public prayers.

The whole atmosphere is filled with the resonance of "Allahu-Akbar". The Assembly then prepares for the congregational prayer led by the Imam. After the ceremonial Id prayer, the leader addresses the devotees, exhorting them to be conscious of their duties to God and follow the example of Prophet Ibrahim.

With the completion of the prayer and the sermon, the gathering exchange greetings and as an expression of affectionate brotherhood, hug each other. The festivity continues at homes with celebratory feasts and social visits. Bakrid Celebration in Kerala

Bakrid or Valia Perunnal (the big feast) also called Id ul-Azha or the Festival of Sacrifice Is an important festival for Muslims in Kerala.

On Bakrid day muslims dressed in their best clothes go to the mosques in the morning to offer prayers to Allah. They gather in mosques and ‘Id Gah’ grounds to participated in Id namaz. This will be followed by sermons by Imam on the importance and relevance of Bakrid. The festivity at home commence after the ceremonial prayer with hearty feasts followed by social visits. Women enjoy this occasion by paying visits to the neighbouring houses. And Children get money to buy things and some people arrange group picnics also.

After the sacrifice is performed, meat is served to all the families dependant on the mosque for their faith and thereafter, meat is also distributed in the neighborhood. Special delicacies are prepared and served among family and friends on the occasion. Charity is offered to those who deserve and Muslims make it a point to make all to enjoy the spirit and festivity of the event without any discrimination.

In Kerala on the occasion of Bakrid, special meetings are held in which distinguished members of sister communities participate. This occasion serves to foster brotherly relationship among members of various communities. A spirit of tolerance, mutual understanding and universal brotherhood pervades such gatherings. Such meetings are perfect examples of the spirit of tolerance and mutual friendship that exist between communities in the state.