Idul Adha

About Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," is the holiest of the two major Islamic holidays and one of the most significant observances in the Islamic calendar. It honours the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God, before God provided a ram to sacrifice in his place. The holiday celebrates faith, obedience, and devotion to Allah.

Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It coincides with the culmination of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Like Eid al-Fitr, the date shifts approximately 10-12 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.

The festival is observed over three to four days and is a public holiday throughout the Muslim world. It is a time when Muslims come together in prayer, share meals with family and community, and demonstrate generosity by distributing meat and other provisions to those in need.

History & Origins

The story at the heart of Eid al-Adha is recounted in the Quran. The Prophet Ibrahim received a vision in which God commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail. Both father and son submitted to God's will, demonstrating absolute faith and obedience. As Ibrahim prepared to carry out the sacrifice, God intervened, providing a ram to be sacrificed instead. This act of divine mercy and the profound faith of Ibrahim and Ismail are commemorated each year through the ritual of qurbani (sacrifice).

The connection to Hajj gives Eid al-Adha an additional layer of significance. The Hajj pilgrimage traces the footsteps of Ibrahim, his wife Hajar (Hagar), and their son Ismail in and around Mecca. The standing at Arafat on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah — the Day of Arafah — is considered the most important day of Hajj, and Eid al-Adha begins the following day. For the approximately two million Muslims who perform Hajj each year, and for Muslims worldwide who observe the holiday at home, Eid al-Adha is a profound expression of submission to God's will and gratitude for His blessings.

How It's Celebrated

• Eid prayer — The day begins with a special congregational prayer at mosques or open-air prayer grounds, followed by a sermon. Muslims dress in their finest clothes and greet one another with "Eid Mubarak."
• Qurbani (animal sacrifice) — In remembrance of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. The meat is traditionally divided into three portions: one-third for the family, one-third for friends and relatives, and one-third for those in need.
• Sharing with the less fortunate — A central principle of Eid al-Adha is generosity. Ensuring that the poor and vulnerable can share in the celebrations through meat distribution and other charitable acts is considered an essential duty.
• Festive meals — Families and communities gather for elaborate meals featuring the meat from the qurbani, along with traditional dishes that vary by region and culture.
• Visiting family & friends — Like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha is a time for strengthening family and community ties through visits, gifts, and shared celebrations.
• Takbir — The recitation of Takbir ("Allahu Akbar" — God is the Greatest) is a distinctive feature of Eid al-Adha, chanted from the Day of Arafah through the days of Eid, filling mosques and homes with its rhythmic praise.