Eid Mubarak! Happy Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban or Festival of Sacrifice!

Eid Mubarak! Happy Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban or Festival of Sacrifice!

Here in America, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban or Festival of Sacrifice begins on Thursday, October 25, 2012

Brief Explanations and Rumi Translations by Solo©

Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban in Persian/Farsi, or Islamic Festival of Sacrifice commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son, Ishmael, at God's command (according to Biblical teachings and within Judeo-Christian traditions, Abraham's other son, Isaac was offered by Abraham to be sacrificed). At the end of Hajj (Muslims' annual Pilgrimage to Mecca), the three-day Festival of Sacrifice is commemorated throughout the Islamic world by offering prayers, visiting families and friends, and exchanging of 'Eid Mubaraki' greetings and gifts. As part of sacrificial ceremony, remembering and honoring Abraham's willingness to obey God, an animal; traditionally a goat, lamb, cow, or a camel is sacrificed. The meat is then distributed to the poor and needy families as an Islamic act of generosity and charity giving.

Ibrahim [Abraham] sacrificing his son, Ismael [Ishmael] at God's Command

"And Abraham said [after being saved from the fire]: ‘Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me!’ ‘My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.’ So We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And, when he [his son] was old enough to walk with him, Abraham said: ‘O my son! I have been seeing in a dream that I am offering you in sacrifice [to Allah]. So look what you think!’ He [Ishmael] said: ‘O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha Allah, you shall find me of the patient. Then, when they had both submitted themselves [to the will of Allah], and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead, We called out to him: ‘O Abraham! You have made the dream a reality.’ Verily, thus do We reward the good-doers. Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice [a ram]; And We left for him [a goodly remembrance] among the later generations. Peace be upon Abraham!"
Holy Quran 37:99-112.

Abraham sacrificing his son, Ishmael at God's Command

The most astonishing thing about the following verses of Rumi in praise of Islamic Festival of Sacrifice lies in the fact that on numerous occasions, Rumi mentions Isaac instead of Ishmael to be sacrificed. As we all know, within the Islamic perspectives, it was Ishmael who was offered for sacrifice by Abraham, while the Judeo-Christian and Biblical teachings mention Isaac. Was Rumi deliberately trying to reconcile the holy teachings of the three interconnected Abrahamic Faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam by mentioning Isaac instead of Ishmael?

O heart, 

Since Abraham's willingness
[to sacrifice his own son by God's Command]

Was compensated by holding back his hand,

Sacrificing Isaac wouldn't have caused him any harm.

Rumi

چون عنایت‌های ابراهیم باشد دستگیر

سر بریدن کی زیان دارد دلا اسحاق را

حضرت مولانا جلال الدین بلخی رومی

I'm the Issac to be sacrificed

By Your Command

This is my Festival of Sacrifice.

I'm intoxicated and bewildered for You

I pay attention to obey all Your Commands.

Rumi

اسحاق قربان توام اين عيد قرباني است

 اين مست و پريشان توام موقوف فرمان توام

حضرت مولانا جلال الدین بلخی رومی

Tell the Festival of Sacrifice

Tell the candle light of Holy Quran

Tell the pride of Paradise:

The drunkard mystics are sending 

Their warmest Eid Greetings!

Rumi 

آن عيد قربان را بگو وآن شمع قرآن را بگو

آن فخر رضوان را بگو مستان سلامت مي‌کنند

حضرت مولانا جلال الدین بلخی رومی

The blessed Festival of Sacrifice is here.

Just like its sacrificial ceremony,

may your detractors also get sacrificed

like a soon to be sacrificed and resigned camel!
May you be surrounded by your friends
and all your loved ones.
May you're bestowed the best of lucks.
May you have a happy heart
and may you enjoy good health.

Rumi

عيد فرخنده و در عيد به رسم قربان

سر بريده عدويت همچو شتر زار و نزار 

دوستان جمع و نديمان خوش و دولت باقي

سر تو سبز و دلت شاد و تنت بي‌آزار

حضرت مولانا جلال الدین بلخی رومی

You are the Soul of Festival of Sacrifice

all lovers get sacrificed by Your presence.

Sacrifice me in Your Divine Kitchen

I'm ready to get scarified for Your Soul.

Rumi

تو عيد جان قرباني و پيشت عاشقان قربان

بکش در مطبخ خويشم که قربانم به جان تو

حضرت مولانا جلال الدین بلخی رومی