Hari Raya

Hari Raya Haji (which means “great day of the haj” in Malay), also known as Aidiladha (alternatively spelt as Eid al-Adha, Eid ul-Adha or Eid Adha) or the Great Day of Sacrifice, is a Muslim festival that falls on the 10th day of Zulhijjah (the 12th month in the Islamic calendar). In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year. The festival lasts for three days.

Eid al-Adha is the latter of the two Eid holidays, the former being Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Adha, also called the "Festival of the Sacrifice", "Sacrifice Feast" or "Bakr-Eid", is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two. The word "Eid" appears once in Al-Ma'ida, the fifth sura of the Quran, with the meaning "solemn festival”.

Being a major festival for Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice of Ishmael by Abraham. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as an act of submission to God's command, before God then intervened, through his angel Jibra'il (Gabriel) and informs him that his sacrifice (qurban) has already been accepted.

Like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha begins with a sunnah prayer of two rakats followed by a sermon (khutbah). Eid al-Adha celebrations start after the descent of the Hujjaj, the pilgrims performing the Hajj, from Mount Arafat, a hill east of Mecca. Eid sacrifice may take place until sunset on the 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Normally, Eid al-Adha or Hari Raya Qurban will be followed with sacrifice of a sheep, cow, goat, buffalo or camel as qurban. It is the root of this celebration. The meat from the sacrificed animal is preferred to be divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy. Three important things form a part of Eid celebrations in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad are to offer prayer before sunrise, dress up in the best clothes available and observe general cleanliness.

It is obvious that festival celebration is not merely about the celebration itself but ultimately about strengthening silaturahim. So, hurry up. Download Hari Raya app now so that you can send your best wishes and share it with your family, friends, relatives, acquaintances, office mates, colleagues, and loved ones regardless of their distances. It is FREE!

Hari Raya app features:

• A selection of Hari Raya greeting cards

• Hari Raya songs in MP3 format

• Chat space to connect you online with the world out there

• Frames that can be customized and share or kept

• Wallpaper to spice up your smartphone

For this coming celebration, Ninawaustudio wishes you a blessed Hari Raya. Let’s strengthen our silaturahim and make it last endlessly without boundaries.

Have a blessed Hari Raya 2016!