Eid al-Adha is a religious festival celebrated worldwide, lasts for three days and commemorates Ibraham's (Abraham) willingness to obey Allah by sacrificing his son. Muslims believe the son to be Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Ishmael is considered the forefather of the Arabs. According to the Koran, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a sheep instead.
The feast re-enacts Ibrahim's obedience by sacrificing a sheep, cow or goat. The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor.
The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order 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. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.
"It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)
