Celebrating Eid-ul-Adha in its true spirit

Eid-ul-Adha, the second of the two great festivals of the Muslim Ummah, is primarily a festival of sacrifice. But this festival assumes a unique spiritual significance with the performance of hajj scheduled for the 10th day of the twelfth and final month of Dhu al-Hijja on the Islamic calendar. Hajj performed in Makkah is mandatory for all the devout Muslims who are physically, mentally and financially capable of doing so. Sacrifice of animal is integral to the performance of Hajj. Although the celebration is slated for the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijja, it is carried forward to the following three days. However, the difference of time by a day or two in moon sighting from different locations on the planet, which is the basis of lunar months, actually sets the dates for celebrations of both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. This is what actually explains celebration of the two great festivals on different dates.
Now, all great festivals are generally marked by mammoth congregations. Hajj is certainly one such congregation. Even the prayer offered to the Almighty Allah brings together thousands and, in some select Eidgahs of Bangladesh, tens of thousands of followers of Islam. If Eid-ul-Fitr is preceded by the practice of a month-long siam or self-abnegation, Eid-ul-Adha transcends this lesson to yet another humanitarian and spiritual cause. The core theme ingrained in these two religious obligations is of course unreserved and total submission to Allah, the benevolent. This sacrificial ritual is incorporated into Islam from the unrivalled example of prophet Ibrahim's willingness to make the supreme sacrifice. At the command of Allah the merciful, Prophet Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son Ismail as a complete surrender to the supreme being's will. It was, however, the ultimate test not only the prophet but also his son were put to by the Almighty. Both came out of the test in flying colours as they responded unhesitatingly to the call of duty to Allah.
In today's mundane world, no one is asked to sacrifice his son. Then where does lie the significance of the sacrifice? It is in the purity of mind that remains steadfast against all distractions and seductions. One has to offer to Allah what one holds dearest to his bosom. This also is a lesson in renunciation for the sake of complete surrender to the creator. Through this, man seeks a union with the omnipotent being. To do so one has to come clean on any mundane consideration like prophet Ibrahim and prove total submission to God's will.
Sadly, the spirit is woefully missing now. Most people are more eager for the feast than going by the religious edict. When it comes to sacrifice of animals, some take it as an opportunity for flaunting wealth by way of procuring the prized bull or ox for slaughter. Theirs is no sacrifice and it is not accepted by Allah. Apart from this clear religious message, Eid-ul-Adha's socio-economic implications are also very significant. Through sharing and distributing sacrificial meat with relatives and among the poor, the well-to-do in society can also perform a duty towards society. The money spent on the sacrificial animal also contributes to the economy by way of fostering cattle rearing by poor farmers and developing cattle farms in both rural and peri-urban areas.