Hari Raya Haji which is also known as Hari Raya Korban or Aidil Adha in Malaysia falls on the 10th day of Zulhijjah and lasts for four days which are the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th day of the month of Zulhijjah every year. The festival begins with takbir Aidiladha on the 9th of Zulhijjah after the Maghrib prayer followed by the Sunnah prayer as well as the khutbah Aidiladha and the sacrificial worship that can be performed either on the 10th, 11th, 12th or noon of the 13th of Zulhijjah, which is called Hari Tasyrik.
The purpose of Hari Raya Haji is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim A.S. to Allah S.W.T. and the patience of his son, Prophet Ismali A.S. in fulfilling Allah’s command. Sacrificial meat will be distributed to Muslims in need such as the poor and it is a noble practice to give alms especially for the sacrifice ceremony.
As on Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Muslims in Malaysia will do some traditions that are not much different on Hari Raya Hajj. What is the tradition during Hari Raya in Malaysia?
Ø On the morning of the 10th of Zulhijjah, Muslims in Malaysia dressed in new, clean, beautiful and colorful clothes went to the mosque to perform the Aidil Adha circumcision prayer.
Ø The sacrificial ceremony usually takes place after the Sunnah prayers of Hari Raya Haji. Usually the Aidiladha circumcision prayer is slightly accelerated compared to the Aidilfitri circumcision prayer. The wisdom is to speed up the time of the Aidiladha circumcision prayer to give more time for the slaughtering of the sacrifice.
Ø Most of the Muslims will also visit the tombs and pray for their deceased relatives.
After performing the sacrifice, Muslims will usually work together to cook various dishes for family members, relatives and neighbours. Here we can see how beautiful the celebration of the Haji Festival is because it bonds with fellow servants. May all our acts of worship in the month of Zulhijjah be accepted and may we have a blessed Aidiladha by appreciating the true meaning of sacrifice. May the celebration of Hari Raya Haji in Malaysia and in other Muslim countries this year be joyful and full of blessings.
