古尔邦节 Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid", is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismael) as an act of obedience to God, but instead was able to sacrifice a ram (by God's command).

Eid is also about spending time with family and friends, sacrifice, and thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing. In traditional or agrarian settings, each family would sacrifice a domestic animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, by slaughter (though some contemporary Muslims do not sacrifice an animal as part of their observance, it is still a very popular tradition, even in Muslim communities in Europe). The meat would then be divided into three equal parts to be distributed to others. The family eats one third, another third is given to other relatives, friends or neighbors, and the other third is given to the poor as a gift.

Pupils pray near a scale model of the Kaaba which was constructed at Nile Garden school before the upcoming Eid Al-Adha festival in Cairo Nov 11, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Eid al-Adha is celebrated annually on the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha celebrations start after the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. The date is approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan. Ritual observance of the holiday lasts until sunset of the 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

古尔邦节，又称宰牲节，与开斋节并称为伊斯兰教的两大节日。“古尔邦”意为“献祭”、“献牲”，为朝觐功课的主要仪式之一。

古尔邦节的时间是伊斯兰教历12月10日，即朝觐期的最后一天。

古尔邦节的宰牲，起源于关于古代先知易卜拉欣的故事。易卜拉欣独尊安拉并无比忠诚，他常以大量牛、羊、骆驼作为牺牲献礼，人们对他无私的虔诚行为大惑不解。易卜拉欣当众郑重表示，倘若安拉降示命令，即使以爱子伊斯玛仪做牺牲，他也决不痛惜。安拉为了考验易卜拉欣的忠诚，几次在梦境中默示他履行诺言。于是他先向爱子伊斯玛仪说明原委，并带他去麦加城米纳山谷，准备宰爱子以示对安拉忠诚。途中，恶魔易卜劣厮几次出现，教唆伊斯玛仪抗命和逃走，伊斯玛仪拒绝魔鬼的诱惑，愤怒地抓起石块击向恶魔，最后顺从地躺在地上，遵从主命和其父的善举。正当易卜拉欣举刀时，天使吉卜利勒奉安拉之命降临，送来一只黑头羝羊以代替牺牲。

为纪念这一事件和感谢真主，先知穆罕默德继承了这一传统，列为朝觐功课礼仪之一。教法规定；凡经济条件宽裕的穆斯林，每年都要奉行宰牲礼仪。朝觐者在12月10日举行宰牲，其他各地的穆斯林自10～12日，期限为3天。超逾期限，宰牲无效。宰牲的肉食不仅要供自家享用，而且要分送给穷人，确保所有的穆斯林都要有份。

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）