Yes, the festival of Hari Raya or commonly known as Eid, is observed twice a year. If you’re unaware of this one( Eid al-Adha), we have some exciting facts awaiting you. However, if you do know about it, there is no harm in absorbing some more info about the lovely Hari Raya Haji festival. So, without any delay let us dig into the 10 interesting fact trivia about Hari Raya Haji, you didn’t know (or at least all of them).
1. Has multiple names
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="470"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
If you thought that Hari Raya Haji was the only name by which Muslims worldwide celebrated, you are wrong. Different parts of the world have their name versions for this auspicious festival, like Eid al-Adha, Eid Adha, Eid ul-Adha, Aidiladha, and Eid.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
The act of slaughtering an animal is not for entertainment, but rather a sign to remember and pay respects to Prophet Ibrahim. The story goes: he was asked by God to sacrifice his most loved possession- his son. So, when the time for the ultimate sacrifice came, his son was suddenly replaced by a ram whose throat was finally slit. This act of pure devotion and love shows that everyone should be as connected with the almighty as Prophet Ibrahim. Hence, the sacrifice of animals for Hari Raya Haji in Singapore and other parts of the world.
3. Different types of Animals are sacrificed
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
No one animal is sacrificed on Hari Raya Haji! Goats, sheep and cows are the three animals that can be used for the ritual.
4. Distribution of Sacrificed animal meat
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
The sacrificed animal is divided into three parts. The first goes to the buyer, the second to their friends and family, and lastly, to the poor.The purpose is to include every Muslim irrespective of income in the festivities.
5. End of the Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="443"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
Every year, you will find a sea of worshippers visiting the sacred mosque- Al-Masjid Al-Harām in the Holy city of Mecca. They come to fulfil their desire to pilgrimage to the mosque, also known as Hajj. Thus, Hari Raya Haji marks the end of this pilgrimage, as people perform rituals and pray from their hearts.
6. Celebrated on the 10th Day of the Islamic Calendar
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
The Islamic calendar is different from the Georgian one because it is based on astronomical calculations. Thus, as a lunar calendar, it is shorter than the western one, which is why every year, the festivals fall 10 or 11 days before.
7. One Day of Fasting
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
Besides giving the warmest Selamat Hari Raya Haji wishes, people are also encouraged to fast a day before the festival, called the Day of Arafah on 9th Zulhijjah. The purpose is to cleanse themselves by absolving sins.
8. Lasts for 4 Days
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
Like Hari Puasa, people celebrate Hari Raya Haji in Singapore and worldwide for four days lasting from the 10th to the 13th Zulhijjah (the last month of the Islamic calendar). However, the family visitations happen on the 10th day.
9. Not as Grand as Hari Raya Puasa
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Source: Unsplash[/caption]
Since Hari Raya Haji is the second Eid festival after Puasa, it's not observed with the same pomp. It has a somewhat sober celebration wherein a few people practise the exchange of Hari Raya Haji gifts and green packets.
10. Eat Dates in odd numbers
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="443"] Source: Pixabay[/caption]
Since we are talking about Hari Raya Haji facts, we left the best for the last. Muslims are encouraged to eat dates before their Eid prayers but in odd numbers because the Quran talks about the Prophet doing the same.
Gurnika Talwar is FNP’s marketing and creative content writer and has been with the firm since 2020. She is based in Delhi, India and has been in this field for 2+ years.
She started her journey as a freshman but since then has created content on several mediums. With blogging on gift ideas, food, gardening tips and whatnot as her primary goal, she has also curated content for social media and brand films. As a storyteller, she creates original, genuine, and relatable content to connect with the mass. Besides work, you’ll find her chit-chatting about movies or making sarcastic jokes.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
If you thought that Hari Raya Haji was the only name by which Muslims worldwide celebrated, you are wrong. Different parts of the world have their name versions for this auspicious festival, like Eid al-Adha, Eid Adha, Eid ul-Adha, Aidiladha, and Eid.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
The act of slaughtering an animal is not for entertainment, but rather a sign to remember and pay respects to Prophet Ibrahim. The story goes: he was asked by God to sacrifice his most loved possession- his son. So, when the time for the ultimate sacrifice came, his son was suddenly replaced by a ram whose throat was finally slit.
This act of pure devotion and love shows that everyone should be as connected with the almighty as Prophet Ibrahim. Hence, the sacrifice of animals for Hari Raya Haji in Singapore and other parts of the world.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
No one animal is sacrificed on Hari Raya Haji! Goats, sheep and cows are the three animals that can be used for the ritual.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
The sacrificed animal is divided into three parts. The first goes to the buyer, the second to their friends and family, and lastly, to the poor.
The purpose is to include every Muslim irrespective of income in the festivities.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
Every year, you will find a sea of worshippers visiting the sacred mosque- Al-Masjid Al-Harām in the Holy city of Mecca. They come to fulfil their desire to pilgrimage to the mosque, also known as Hajj. Thus, Hari Raya Haji marks the end of this pilgrimage, as people perform rituals and pray from their hearts.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
The Islamic calendar is different from the Georgian one because it is based on astronomical calculations. Thus, as a lunar calendar, it is shorter than the western one, which is why every year, the festivals fall 10 or 11 days before.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
Besides giving the warmest Selamat Hari Raya Haji wishes, people are also encouraged to fast a day before the festival, called the Day of Arafah on 9th Zulhijjah. The purpose is to cleanse themselves by absolving sins.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
Like Hari Puasa, people celebrate Hari Raya Haji in Singapore and worldwide for four days lasting from the 10th to the 13th Zulhijjah (the last month of the Islamic calendar). However, the family visitations happen on the 10th day.
Source: Unsplash[/caption]
Since Hari Raya Haji is the second Eid festival after Puasa, it's not observed with the same pomp. It has a somewhat sober celebration wherein a few people practise the exchange of Hari Raya Haji gifts and green packets.
Source: Pixabay[/caption]
Since we are talking about Hari Raya Haji facts, we left the best for the last. Muslims are encouraged to eat dates before their Eid prayers but in odd numbers because the Quran talks about the Prophet doing the same. 
