Құрбан айт

What kind of holiday it is

Kurban Ait is the “festival of sacrifice” (Arabic Eid al-Adha), one of the two main Islamic holidays. “Kurban” comes from the Arabic “qurban” — “drawing near (to God)”, and “kurbandyk shalu” means “to offer a sacrifice”. The holiday is devoted to faithfulness and readiness to give the most precious thing for the sake of the Almighty, and also to care for those in need.

The date and the link with the Hajj

The holiday falls on the 10th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the lunar calendar, and the sacrifice may be performed from the 10th to the 13th. The lunar year is shorter than the solar, so the date shifts back by 10–11 days each year — every year the holiday “comes” earlier. It is tied to the Hajj: it is celebrated at the end of the day of Arafat, when pilgrims in Mecca perform the sacrifice in the valley of Mina.

History: Ibrahim and Ismail

The holiday goes back to the story of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham): he saw in a dream a command to sacrifice his son Ismail and was ready to carry it out, and the Almighty replaced the sacrifice with a ram. The point of the story is not blood but faithfulness and obedience; the Quran says that neither the meat nor the blood reaches God, but piety. Hence the main content of the holiday: to share, not merely to slaughter.

How the day goes

• In the morning a full ablution (ghusl) is taken and clean new clothes are put on. One does not eat before the festive prayer — unlike Oraza Ait.
• They go to the mosque, reciting the takbir on the way (“Allahu akbar…”); by the sunna they return by another road.
• The Eid prayer (two rak’ahs) and the khutbah.
• After the prayer the sacrifice is made and the meat is carved.
• Visits to relatives, the table, congratulations and reconciliation.

Rules of the sacrifice

By the practice of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (Hanafi school): a sheep or goat — from one year, cattle — from two, a camel — from five. A horse is not sacrificed — unlike many Kazakh rites where horse meat is honoured. A large animal can be offered on behalf of seven people, but each must have a pure intention of sacrifice: if one of the seven merely wants meat for guests, the sacrifice of the others is invalid. Lame, blind, emaciated animals or those with damaged ears or tail are not allowed.

When slaughtering, one says “Bismillah, Allahu akbar” and states the intention: the sacrifice is for the Almighty, not for the meat. If the sacrifice was made after the 13th day, all the meat is given away as sadaqa.

The meat: three shares and the Kazakh table

The meat is customarily divided into three parts: for the family, for relatives and for those in need, including neighbours. This is a recommendation, not a rigid dogma. Kazakh tradition adds its own: part of the meat is cooked for guests and neighbours, separate “sybaga” shares are sent to relatives. The table is beshbarmak from the sacrificial meat, baursaks, shelpek. The main point is that no house around is left without meat on the holiday.

Status in Kazakhstan and history

In Kazakhstan the first day of Kurban Ait is a non-working day under the Labour Code (formally not a “public holiday” but a day off), although by Sharia the holiday lasts three or four days. Under Soviet rule it was marked in secret: shutters were closed, the ram was brought “from under the counter”, those gathered were called “guests”. After 1991 the tradition returned.

Interesting facts

Glossary

Құрбан

Sacrifice; from Arabic “qurban” — “drawing near (to God)”.

Құрбандық шалу

To offer the sacrifice.

Айт намазы

The festive prayer of two rak’ahs with a khutbah.

Тәкбір

The call “Allahu akbar” — “God is great”.

Ниет

Intention; a condition of the sacrifice’s validity.

Садақа

A voluntary donation, alms.

Хадж

The pilgrimage to Mecca.

Ғұсыл

A full ablution.

Мүбәрәк

Blessed.

Құдайы тамақ

A meal with prayer, a thanksgiving feast.