10th of Dhu al Hijja

What acts do Pilgrims (hajjis) perform on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja, and how does the rest of the Muslim community (umma) celebrate this day?

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and was made obligatory in the 9th year of Hijrah. Hajj is visiting the Kabaa on the prescribed days of the month of Dul Hijja and performing certain rites. It is performed from the 8th Dul Hijja till the 12th or 13th Dul Hijja. It is the ibadah, mandatory once in a lifetime for every adult Muslim who is sane and can afford it financially and physically fit. 

Allah says in the Quran, “Pilgrimage there to is a duty men owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey.” (Al-Imran)

On the 9th of Dul Hijja, Pilgrims spend the night under the open sky in Muzdalifah. They collect 49 pebbles or stones from there for Rami. Pilgrims remain in Muzdalifah till sunrise of 10th Dul Hijja. They leave Muzdalifah after the Fajr prayer and head towards Jamarat ul Aqaba in Mina for Rami (casting stones on the pillar erected as the devil).

Pilgrims throw stones from the right hand on the Jamara tul Aqaba seven times and say ‘Allah-u-Akbar’ each time. This act illustrates the event when Ibrahim A.S. was going to sacrifice his son Ismail A.S. Satan distracted him on three occasions, but he was devoted to his decision. He threw stones at Satan and drove him away. When Ibrahim A.S. was sacrificing his son Ismail A.S. to fulfil Allah’s command, Allah sent a sheep to slaughter at that moment instead of Ismail A.S., and Allah accepted his sacrifice. These acts are done in memory of Ibrahim A.S. It represents the rejection of the devil and obedience to God. 

Following Rami, Pilgrims sacrifice a cow, camel or sheep and move to shave or shorten their hair. Henceforth, they are free from the state of Ihram, yet, marital relationships are not Halal for them till Hajj completion. Pilgrims next step is to go to Makkah to perform Tawaf Ifadah or Ziara. They go around the Ka’ba seven times and then perform two Rakahs at the station of Ibrahim and the subsequent run seven times between Safa and Marwa Hills (Sayee). Tawaf Ifada is an indispensable component of Hajj rituals, and it becomes void if Pilgrims fail to do so. Though it is best to complete Tawaf Ifadah on the 10th Dhu al-Hijja, Pilgrims can perform it later during the next three days. 

Allah says, “Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House.” After the Tawaf Ifadah, Pilgrims return to Mina and stay there till the completion of Hajj rituals (12th or 13th of Dul Hajj). 

In contrast, the rest of the Muslim community celebrates the festival of Eid al Adha. Muslims make special preparations for this day; they take a shower, wear new or best clothes, and put on perfume before going to the Eid prayer. 

Eid prayer is on two Rakahs with 12 Takbiraat. In the first Rakah, Takbiraat is done seven times before reciting Surah al Fatiha, while five Takbiraat in the second Rakah after reciting any Surah and before Ruku. It is prohibited to fast on Eid day since Satan fasts this day.

After the Eid prayer, Muslims sacrifice animals to reflect the great sacrifice of Ibrahim, who did not hesitate to sacrifice his beloved son for the pleasure of Allah. This sacrifice can be a camel, cow or sheep. However, these sacrificing animals should not be injured or sick and have a specified age, otherwise, the sacrifice will not be acceptable.

After slaughtering the animal, one part of the meat is kept for themselves, and the rest is distributed among friends, relatives and the needy person. Volunteers of organizations and community workers collect the skin of sacrificed animals to sell and spend money on poor people. On Eid day, people cook delicious food from the meat of sacrificed animals. People enjoy their day meeting with family and friends and hosting parties to celebrate this occasion. Kids meet with their cousins and spend time playing.