Musalmans say that the Patriarch Abraham was ordered to sacrifice Ishmael, and that he made several ineffectual attempts to cut the throat of his son. Ishmael then said to his father: "It is through pity and compassion for me that you allow the knife to miss: blindfold yourself and then sacrifice me." Abraham acted upon this advice, {254} blindfolded himself, drew his knife, repeated the Bismillah, and, as he thought, cut the throat of his son; but, behold, in the meantime Gabriel had substituted a sheep for the lad. This event is commemorated in this feast. On the day before the feast, the Arfa, or vigil, is kept. Food of various kinds is prepared, over which a Fatiha is offered, first, in the name of the Prophet; secondly, in the names of deceased relatives, and of others for whom a blessing is desired, or from whom some favor is expected. The food is then sent as a present to friends. On the morning of the feast day, the devout Muslims proceed to the 'Id-gah or, if there is no 'Id-gah, to the principal Mosque, repeating on the way the Takbir "God is Great!" and "There is no other God save the one true God, God is great, praise be to God." At the time of making wazu, the worshipper should say: "O God, make this (_i.e._ the sacrifice I shall offer to-day) an atonement for my sin, and purify my religion and take evil away from me." The Service at the 'Id-gah, or in the Mosque consists of two farz rak'ats, as in the Salat-ul-Juma (p. 201), after the Khutba is delivered. It will, however, be seen from the following sermon that it is mustahab to say four more rak'ats. SERMON ON THE 'ID-UZ-ZUHA. In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Allahu Akbar! God is Great. There is no God but God. God is Great! God is Great and worthy of all praise. He is Holy. Day and night we should praise Him. He is without partner, without equal. All praise be to Him. Holy is He, Who makes the rich generous, Who provides the sacrifice for the wise. He is Great, without an equal. All praise be to Him. Listen! I testify that there is no God but God. He is alone, without partner. This testimony is as bright as the early dawn, as brilliant as the glorious feast day. Muhammad is His servant who delivered His message. On Muhammad, and on his family, and on his Companions may the peace of God rest. On you who are present, O congregation of Muslimin, may the {255} mercy of God for ever rest. O servants of God! our first duty is to fear God and to be kind. God has said: "I will be with those who fear Me and are kind."