Mumbai, July 29: Eid-al-Adha, also known as Bakrid or the festival of sacrifice, is around the corner. Muslims in India will celebrate Eid-al-Adha, which is also spelt as Eid-Ul-Azha, on August 1. Eid-al-Adha is one of the two major festivals of the Muslim community. The other one is the Eid-al-Fitr. Many get confused between Eid-al-Adha and Eid-al-Fitr perhaps because both the festivals are commonly called Eid. On the eve of Bakrid, here are differences between Eid-al-Adha and Eid-al-Fitr.

Date and Timing: Under Islamic calender, Eid-al-Fitr comes before Eid-al-Adha. While Eid-Ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal month, Eid-al-Adha is observed on the 10th day of Zul-Hijja month. Eid al-Adha 2020: Why Do Muslims Sacrifice Animals on Bakrid? Know Significance of Religious Act Linked to Prophet Abraham.

Mandatory Fasting: Prior of Eid-al-Fitr festival, Muslims observe dawn-to-dusk fast for at least 29 days during the Ramadan month. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated on the climax of the Ramadan month. However, ahead of Eid-al-Adha, fasting is not mandatory.

Animal Sacrifice: Animal sacrifice is one of the rituals performed on Eid-al-Adha. Financially-stable Muslims sacrifice a bovine or cattle or camel or goat, and distribute its meat among relatives and poor people. However, on Eid-al-Fitr, no such tradition is mandated by Islam. Eid al-Adha 2020: List of Rules Prescribed by Islam For Animal Slaughtering on Bakrid.

Purpose: On Eid-ul-Fitr, Muslims rejoice at the end of Ramzan and thank Allah for the strength He gave them throughout the fasting month to help them practice self-control and restraint. The ritual of sacrificing an animal on Eid-al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2020 07:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).