Id-ul-Azha, which is also popularly known as Bakr'id, is the commemoration of the historical event of the sacrifice of Hazrath Ismail.
After prayer, Ibrahim left his wife Janab-e-Hajira and son Hazrath Ismail nestled in wilderness where Hajira faced the problem of scarcity of water and by miracle, the fountain Zamzam originated under the feet of Hazrath Ismail to quench his thirst. Hazrath Ibrahim, on return, found his family happily settled. It was the 9{+t}{+h} Night of Zilhaj when Hazrath Ibrahim was in Masher-al-Haram along with his wife and son that he dreamt he was slaughtering his son Ismail.
Hazrath Ibrahim construed the dream as the command of Allah and told his son Ismail about it. Hazrath Ismail, himself a Prophet of Allah, readily consented. Hazrath Ibrahim blindfolded himself and got ready to slaughter his son. However, there was something else in store. Hazrath Ibrahim, with eyes swollen and raw from crying, saw his son standing safe and a slaughtered lamb lying on the ground. He was overwhelmed with joy and thanked Allah but had a doubt whether his sacrifice has been rejected. Thereupon Allah reassured him that his great sacrifice was rewarded. According to Islamic scholars, great sacrifice here in a figurative sense is the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain in 60 A.H.
Qurbani is performed by Muslims the world over on 10th Zilhaj to celebrate the glory of sacrifice of Hazrath Ibrahim which is similar to the ritual performed by the Hajis during Haj in Makkah.
It is enjoined upon every Muslim who can afford to sacrifice a defect-free camel of five years, cow or he-goat of one year, ewe, sheep or she-goat of six months in Qurbani.
Equality, the cardinal principle of Islam, has enjoined the distribution of the meat thus obtained by dividing into three parts and makes it incumbent to retain one for the family, distribute the second among the neighbours and the third may have to be given away to the deserving and the destitute.
