This week commenced the beginning of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Dhul Hijjah is a very significant month as Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) has greatly blessed it and believers who practise extra devotion and good deeds during the first ten days of this blessed month gain momentous blessings and rewards. The Hadith says “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these days.” Meaning: the first ten days of Dhul al-Hijjah. (Al-Bukhari)

During this month too, the Hajj is performed. Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime – it is one of the fifth pillars of Islam. The first Hajj was performed by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the year 628 CE. This ritual continues up to this day and is happening right now in 2023.

Each year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Makkah in Saudi Arabia, to perform Hajj. After one has performed Hajj, they gain an esteemed title; for the woman she becomes a Hajjah and the man becomes a Haji. Bermuda proudly has its fair share of Hajjah women and Haji men.

There are several rituals that the Muslims perform whilst in Makkah, all to do with purifying the heart and the soul, thus intent on making one a better individual. I will, in shaa Allah (God willing) elaborate on these rituals in future articles.

Fasting on the Day of Arafat is a recommended sunnah and earns great reward – the forgiveness of our sins, not only in the year just gone, but also within the year to come. Again another bounty from Allah, the Wahab (the Giver).

The Hajj ends when the pilgrims reach Mount Arafat. To me, there’s something mysterious and intriguing about the name “Mount Arafat”. Perhaps it’s because Mount Arafat is mentioned in both the Bible and the Koran connecting ancient history dating back hundreds of years to present day life.

Mount Arafat is also the place where our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) delivered his farewell speech; an incredible speech filled with wisdom and guidance for all times.

Also during this blessed month, the pilgrimage ends around the exact time Eid Al Adha begins, hence they correlate quite incidentally. Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar.

The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son when God commanded him to do so. Ishmael too accepted Allah’s decree and without opposition. However, because of Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and obedience to Allah, the Lord of Mercy stopped the sacrifice of Ishmael and a miracle occurred – a ram was replaced as the sacrifice instead of Ishmael.

What a merciful Lord and what an incredibly devoted servant was Ibrahim as not too many people would have been that devoted to sacrifice their own beloved child. This demonstrates Prophet Ibrahim’s outstanding, unwavering belief and faith in God, together with his son’s. This is why it is called the Eid of Sacrifice.

The Eid is usually three days long and in most Muslim countries it is declared a national holiday. The Arabic word Eid means feast and Muslims celebrate with plenty of food which is shared among family and friends. Muslims also wear their finest attire. At this time too, we are compelled to give in charity and this should be done before the Eid prayers and celebrations begin, mostly to allow those receiving the charity to also celebrate and experience a happy Eid.

Animals are slaughtered in the manner we call halal, meaning the name of Allah is invoked (Bismillah) during the slaughter which is done swiftly and humanely causing no distress to the animal. The sacrifice is called Qubani and the meat is shared with family, friends and neighbours.

Before the Eid celebrations begin we are urged to make peace and amend any wrongdoings or offences committed one may have committed to others whether knowingly or unknowingly by apologising and asking for their forgiveness and of course, we always beg Allah for His forgiveness.

During Eid gifts are exchanged. Peace and love reigns abundantly, Eid is definitely a joyous time for Muslims.

We invite you to our Eid celebrations on Thursday at Masjid Muhammad starting at 9am and lasting throughout the day.

Bermuda, we wish you a week of peace and harmony. As Salaam Alaikum.

Eid Mubarak!

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam