According to me, killing any innocent animal –even if it is for sacrifice –is wrong. Be it any festival or any religion, it is neither humane nor correct. Yet we witness the slaughter of goats every year on Eid. The Eid on which goats are slaughtered for sacrifice is known as Bakrid, or Id-Ul-Zuha or Id-Ul-Azha.
Dhu-Al-Hijah, is the last month according to Islamic calendar. On the 8th day of this month, the pilgrimage for Hajj starts and goes on till 13th day. Id-Ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th day of this sacred month. The date of Bakrid keeps changing according to the English calendar.
The concept of sacrifice on Id-Ul-Azha, have its roots in the Koranic story of the devotion of Hazrat Paigambar Imbrahim towards Allah. Id-Ul-Azha, is celebrated to commemorate Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his beloved son Ismail for Allah. As the legend goes, the unquestioned faith of Hazrat Ibrahim was tested by Allah when he asked him to sacrifice his most precious and beloved thing for him.
The most precious and beloved for Hazrat Ibrahim was his son Ismail, and he agreed to sacrifice him for Allah. While sacrificing him, Ibrahim blindfolded himself so that he was not hindered by his love and emotions. Allah was impressed by Ibrahim’s faith and devotion and replaced Ismail with a goat. So it was a goat that was slaughtered instead of Ibrahim’s son.
Hence, it’s a part of Islamic faith to sacrifice goat on Eid-ul-Azha.
