to Mecca, for as yet there was
a hostile feeling between the inhabitants of the two cities; but on the
tenth day of the month Zu'l-Hajja, at the very time when the Arabs at Mecca
were engaged in sacrificing victims, Muhammad went forth from his house at
Madina, and assembling his followers instituted the Id-uz-Zuha or Baqr-'Id.
Two young kids were brought before him. One he sacrificed and said: "O
Lord! I sacrifice this for my whole people, all those who bear witness to
Thy unity and to my mission. O Lord! this is for Muhammad and for the
family of Muhammad."

Great merit is obtained by all who keep this feast. 'Ayesha relates how the
Prophet once said: "Man hath not done anything on the 'Id-ul-Azha more
pleasing to God than spilling blood; for verily the animal sacrificed will
come on the day of resurrection with its horns, hair and hoofs, and will
make the scale of his good actions very heavy. Verily its blood reached the
acceptance of God before it falleth upon the ground, therefore be joyful in
it."

Musalmans say that the Patriarch Abraham was ordered to sacrifice Ishmael,
and that he made several ineffectual attempts to cut the throat of his son.
Ishmael then said to his father: "It is through pity and compassion for me
that you allow the knife to miss: blindfold yourself and then sacrifice
me." Abraham acted upon this advice, {254} blindfolded himself, drew his
knife, repeated the Bismillah, and, as he thought, cut the throat of his
son; but, behold, in the meantime Gabriel had substituted a sheep for the
lad. This event is commemorated in this feast.

On the day before the feast, the Arfa, or vigil, is kept. Food of various
kinds is prepared, over which a Fatiha is offered, first, in the name of
the Prophet; secondly, in the names of deceased relatives, and of others
for whom a blessing is desired, or from whom some favor is expected. The
food is then sent as a present to friends.

On the morning of the feast day, the devout Muslims proceed to the 'Id-gah
or, if there is no 'Id-gah, to the principal Mosque, repeating on the way
the Takbir "God is Great!" and "There is no other God save the one true
God, God is great, praise be to God." At the time of making wazu, the
worshipper should say: "O God, make this (_i.e._ the sacrifice I shall
offer to-day) an atonement for my sin, and purify my religion and take evil
away from me."

The Service at the 'Id-gah, or in the Mosque consists of two farz rak'ats,
as in