Hajj is the Fifth Pillar of Islam. It is an obligatory pilgrimage to the Kaaba, ‘the House of Allah’, in Mecca, which every able Muslim is required to perform at least once in their lifetime. One of the two most important Islamic festivals observed by Muslims worldwide, namely Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice, also falls during the days of Hajj.

The rituals of Hajj and Eid al-Adha are observed in commemoration of the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim^as, his wife Hajar, and their son Ismail^as. As a symbolic representation of their sacrifice, Muslims slaughter animals during Hajj and Eid al-Adha. However, the Holy Quran clearly reminds us that neither the flesh nor the blood of the slaughtered animals reaches God. Instead, it is the righteousness and sincerity of the person performing the sacrifice—and their devotion to fulfil their duties to God and fellow human beings—that reach Him.

In other words, the Eid celebration, Hajj pilgrimage, and the sacrifice of animals are not mere physical rituals. Rather, they embody an inner spirit that draws man’s attention towards a higher purpose: fulfilling the responsibilities towards God and fellow beings. The physical acts serve only as symbolic representations of those objectives, reminding man of his true purpose in life.

This true spirit of sacrifice was perfectly exemplified in the person of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa who dedicated his life, wealth and all his possessions to the cause of God and the service of mankind.

The Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^aba, says:

“The true essence is to adopt righteousness (taqwa), and this is what reaches Allah. The meat and blood of the sacrifices do not reach Allah; it is the spirit of sacrifice that truly matters.”

Hence, while celebrating Eid al-Adha and performing the physical act of sacrifice, a Muslim in fact renews their pledge and declares their readiness to offer any sacrifice for the cause of God and the service of humanity.

On this blessed occasion of Eid al-Adha, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, India extends the message that we should sacrifice our personal desires for the greater good of society and strive to fulfil the rights of others—irrespective of religion, faith, colour or race. Only then can we truly say that we have fulfilled the purpose of celebrating Eid.

Ahmadi Muslims celebrated Eid, embodying this spirit and devotion. In Qadian, the Community’s national headquarters, non-Muslim brothers also joined in the happiness of Eid, congratulating their Muslim friends and expressing their heartfelt good wishes.

We pray to God Almighty that He blesses this Eid for the entire Muslim Ummah and enable us to fulfil both the rights of God and the rights of His creation. Amin.