— SACRED TIME —

'Id al-Adha

May 27–30 · Islam · Monotheisms

Moveable date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Festival of Sacrifice, commemorating Ibrahim and the ram substituted for his son: the divine does not want blood but the surrender of will.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Eid prayer
·Ritual sacrifice of the animal and division into three parts
·Completion of the pilgrimage to Mina for those performing Hajj

Traditional foods

·Meat from the sacrificed animal

Offerings

·One third of the meat to the poor, one third to neighbors

Taboos to respect

·Do not keep all the meat for oneself
·Do not sacrifice without a declared intention

Associated symbols

Ram · Ka'ba · Open hand