What acts do pilgrims (hajjis) perform on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja and how does the rest of the Muslim community (umma) celebrate this day?

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. The focus of this answer has to be events that take place on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja for pilgrims (hajjis) performing hajj and the rest of the Muslim community celebrating Eid al-Adha. Candidates could say that the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja is known as Yawm-al-Nahr (The Day of Sacrifice), as it is on this day that Muslims all over the world offer an animal sacrifice to remember the great sacrifice Ibrahim was willing to make for the almighty and celebrate the festival of Eid al-Adha. Some candidates could go on to give details about how Muslims not on hajj start their day with Eid prayers and then go on to describe how the day is spent in making the sacrifice, distributing the meat and could give proportions that it is distributed in between the needy and the poor and family and friends etc. Details of how the day is spent in meeting family and friends and hosting parties etc. could also be given. This day also marks the completion of hajj. Those on pilgrimage will on this day firstly perform rammi. Having spent the previous night in Muzdalifa they reach Mina on the 10th and go to Jamara tul Aqaba and throw seven pebbles at it. The throwing of the stones is symbolic and is done to show rejection of the devil and obedience to God. Here the candidates can write about how Ibrahim stoned the devil three times when he tried to misguide him and remained steadfast in his decision. Immediately after rammi the talbiya is stopped. The pilgrims then offer sacrifice and then go on to shaving/cutting their hair after which they can come out of ihram. The pilgrims then go on to Makka to perform Tawaf al-Ifada (Tawaf Ziara). After the tawaf they perform two rakkah at the station of Ibrahim, and then run between Safa and Marwa hills. Tawaf Ifada is an indispensible part of hajj and though it is best to perform it on 10th Dhu al-Hijja it is permissible to perform it later during the next three days.
2. In answering this part of the question candidates could say that the animal sacrifice performed on Eid al-Adha is a symbolic gesture and by performing it Muslims are reminding themselves of the great sacrifice that Ibrahim was prepared to make for the almighty when he was ready to sacrifice his son for God's sake. Thus reminding themselves that nothing is of greater importance than obeying the command of God. By distributing the meat of the sacrificed animal Muslims again remind themselves that charity and care are integral components of Islam and need to be practiced in everyday life.