Eidul Azha is here and since almost all students are enjoying their summer vacation, preparations for Eid must be consuming most of their time and attention these days. Hours are spent making the appropriate choice of clothes to wear on the auspicious occasion, on deciding the dishes that would be cooked for family gatherings and on choosing the animal to buy for sacrifice.

However, many of the important preparations and requirements concerning the animal for slaughter and concerning oneself as well, are somewhat neglected by the majority. Let us look at what these important aspects are so that the Eid becomes a true source of joy and blessings for you and your family.

Be caring and hospitable towards sacrificial animals:

Probably the most important point to remember on Eidul Azha is to show hospitality towards the sacrificial animals. Just like humans, animals also feel the hot weather, hunger and thirst, and they also need a proper place to sleep.

The sacrificial animals are usually brought home before Eid and children play with these animals. However, within hours, children’s excitement dies down. Consequently, the animals may be left with no option but to spend days under the hot sun and entire nights without proper food or water.

The weather condition these days is hot and humid. In these circumstances, one must arrange proper shelter for the animals, which also includes the surface beneath them, does not get unbearably hot during the day time, making it difficult for the animals to even stand on it. Provide them with sufficient food and water. Furthermore, the place where the animals are tied should be cleaned regularly.

It is also observed that people throw fodder in front of the animals for them to eat. It is important to keep in mind that often cows and goats avoid eating fodder that has touched the ground. Therefore, it is important that fodder is not spoiled by throwing it on a dirty surface. It should be placed in clean containers if one is unable to feed the animals by hand.

Summing up, being hospitable and caring towards the sacrificial animals is a noble deed and part of the ritual of sacrifice on Eidul Azha. When the animals are brought home, it is the duty of the entire household to be mindful of their rights.

Maintain cleanliness:

Another unfortunate aspect that is greatly ignored during Eidul Azha is cleanliness, either because of laziness, carelessness or due to a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of hygiene.

Filthy roads, foul smell and unhygienic sights have sadly become part and parcel of this religious festival. While making the sacrifice, avoid spilling the blood and filthy water onto the streets, which becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and disease-causing organisms. Designate proper places for the slaughter of animals so that all the related mess is on one side.

It is observed that the animal waste and remains are thrown on the streets, without even putting them in plastic bags, where they attract flies and insects and contaminate the neighbourhood. People should accept the responsibility of clean disposal of these leftovers and make proper arrangements for it.

The afore-mentioned tasks fall under the discretion of the elder members of the family. Nevertheless, children also have a role to play, as far as ‘self-hygiene’ is concerned.

Many children are very fond of touching the goats and cows, but some do not wash their hands afterwards. Sometimes, they even have food without washing their hands. Even if that is not the case, the hands unintentionally make their way to the nose or mouth if left unwashed for a long time, thus providing a route for the germs to enter the body and cause sicknesses.

Therefore, it is really important to wash hands with soap after touching animals, fodder or even the surroundings in which the animals are kept. Moreover, one should always wash hands after coming home from outside and before meals. This should become a habit.

Secondly, for a few days before and after Eidul Azha, the streets are filthy due to the animal waste. Consequently, care must be exercised to avoid taking inside the house the dirty shoes worn outside. Those shoes can both be washed outside and then taken inside or, if feasible, keep separate slippers to wear outside the house.

Paying just a little attention towards maintaining cleanliness and self-hygiene can result in protection from a number of illnesses.

Listen to your appetite!

On Eidul Azha, all the dishes cooked have a significant amount of meat in them. There are roasts, curries, biryani and a number of other dishes along with naan or roti and, obviously, sweet dishes and cold drinks. Restraint should be exercised over the choice and quantity of food eaten. It is a fact that many people end up in hospitals after eating more than their stomachs can tolerate! Therefore, it is important that one listens to one’s appetite while eating, chew the food properly, and stop eating a little before the stomach gets full.

Eat wisely and continue to enjoy the delicious dishes cooked throughout the three days of Eid.

Do not be an exhibitionist:

One of the many lessons Eidul Azha gives us is that the purpose of spending thousands of rupees on buying animals is never to flaunt one’s status in front of others, instead it is to earn good deeds by pleasing Allah.

One aspect that is frequently observed among children is that they boast about the price and the number of animals their family sacrifices on Eidul Azha. There is a competition to see whose animal is bigger and more expensive.

We should never forget that everyone has different financial positions, but all want to offer sacrifice to obey Allah’s command. Moreover, Islam forbids us from showing off and boasting, so be humble and never hurt anybody’s sentiments in any form.

Eidul Azha is a very sacred festival that fosters sharing of happiness and our good fortune with others. It should be observed in its true spirit. So enjoy this Eid as much as you can, but do take care of yourself, your surroundings and those who live in it. A little effort from your side can change things and bring more joy on this Eid.

Have a blessed Eid!

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 9th, 2022