“Jannah is wājib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ‘ibādah on the following nights: 8th & 9th, the night of ‘Eid-ul-Adhā (10th of Dhul Hijjah), the night of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr and the night of the 15th of Sha’bān.” (At-Targhīb)
What is Eid ul Adha?
Eid al Adha is the a day of celebration for the Muslims. It is a festival of sacrifice as it is a celebration which highlights the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) to conform to the hukm (order) of Allah in sacrificing his son, Ismail (peace be upon him). This was a test for him and at the point of sacrifice, Allah replaced the son of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with a ram and instructed him to sacrifice the ram instead.
The Night of Eid ul Adha
The night of Eid ul Adha is blessed just as the night of Eid ul Fitr. One should endevour to stay awake and engage in Ibadah during this special night. This night is amongst the sacred and blessed nights in the Islamic Calendar and it is a night of reward and great virtue.
Mu’ādh ibn Jabal (Radhiyallāhu ‘anhu) relates that Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Jannah is wājib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ‘ibādah on the following nights: 8th & 9th, the night of ‘Eid-ul-Adhā (10th of Dhul Hijjah), the night of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr and the night of the 15th of Sha’bān.” (At-Targhīb)
The Obligation of Udhiyah (qurbani)
Eid ul Adha is the festival of sacrifice. This is the Eid in which those who possess the nisab of zakat during the 10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah, are instructed to offer a sacrifice of either a sheep, goat, a share of a cow or a camel. This is wajib (obligatory) on those who possess the value of nisab.
“There is nothing more dearer to Allāh during the days of Udhiyah than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allāh before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open heart.” (At-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājāh)
