Eid al-Adha or the "Festival of Sacrifice," is a significant festival in the Islamic calendar, celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It holds great importance and is observed with enthusiasm and grandeur. The celebration of Eid al-Adha typically lasts for three days and involves various religious and social customs. One of the essential aspects of the celebration is attending special congregational prayers held at mosques or open prayer grounds. These prayers include a sermon followed by a collective supplication, where Muslims seek blessings and forgiveness. Another central aspect of the celebration is the act of sacrificing an animal, typically a goat, sheep, cow, or camel. After the sacrifice, the meat is divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the less fortunate. Sharing the meat with others, especially those in need, is an essential part of the festival and promotes community and generosity.
Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. However, just as Ibrahim was about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah provided a lamb as a substitute, symbolizing the ultimate act of faith and submission to God's will.
*Article from the Hindustan Times.
Let's pray together:
Pray that Muslims will start to question the meaning of the Eid al-Adha. Adha comes from the word dahiyeh, "sacrifice" in Arabic. Eid means "celebration" in Arabic. Pray that their hearts and minds would dig deep into the meaning of the Eid and why it's so important because it points out to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice.
Pray for opportunities to share what the Torah and the New Testament say about these subjects: "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." (Leviticus 17:11, quoted in Hebrews 9:22)
Pray for opportunities to share that the blood of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, is enough to atone for our sins for all times, by: admitting our sins, believing in Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and confessing Him as Savior and the resurrected Lord.
Pray that Muslims will be drawn to the Lord Jesus in great numbers and be discipled, as instructed by our Lord. (Matt. 28:18-20)
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