Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah โ the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar โ at the culmination of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It commemorates one of the greatest tests of faith in Islamic (and Abrahamic) tradition.
Ibrahim's (Abraham's) Test: Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was one of Allah's most beloved prophets. After years of longing for a child, he was blessed with his son Ismail (Ishmael) by his wife Hajar. When Ismail was still a young boy, Ibrahim received a divine command in his dream to sacrifice his son. Believing this to be a test from Allah, Ibrahim told his son, and Ismail โ with extraordinary courage and faith โ agreed. As Ibrahim was about to sacrifice him, Allah called out: "O Ibrahim! You have already fulfilled the dream!" โ and a ram appeared, which was sacrificed in Ismail's place. This act of supreme submission became the foundation of Eid al-Adha.
Hajar and the Well of Zamzam: The story of Eid al-Adha is inseparable from Hajar's story โ Ibrahim had left Hajar and baby Ismail alone in the desert of Mecca. When their water ran out, Hajar ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water (this is re-enacted during Hajj as Sa'i). Allah caused the sacred Zamzam well to spring forth at the baby's feet. The Zamzam well still flows today โ one of the miracles of Mecca. The Ka'bah in Mecca was built by Ibrahim and Ismail together as the House of Allah.
Connection to Hajj: The five days of Hajj (8โ12 Dhul Hijjah) reenact key moments of Ibrahim and Hajar's story โ the circling of the Ka'bah (Tawaf), running between Safa and Marwa (Sa'i), standing at the plain of Arafat (Wuquf), and the symbolic stoning of the devil (Rami al-Jamarat). Eid al-Adha marks the day pilgrims perform their Qurbani (sacrifice) after the Wuquf at Arafat.
๐ค Sharing & Social Justice: The meat of the sacrificed animal is divided into three equal parts โ one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor. This mandatory distribution ensures that even the poorest members of society share in the joy and feast of Eid.
๐ Unity of the Muslim World: Eid al-Adha is celebrated simultaneously by 2+ billion Muslims worldwide โ the same day pilgrims complete Hajj in Mecca. It is a reminder of the global brotherhood (Ummah) of Islam.
- 1Day of Arafat (9th Dhul Hijjah) โ FastingThe day before Eid (the day pilgrims stand at Arafat) is highly recommended for fasting for non-pilgrims. The Prophet said fasting on this day expiates sins of the past and coming year. Spend the day in prayer, Quran recitation, and remembrance of Allah (dhikr).
- 2Eid Morning โ Ghusl, New Clothes & TakbirWake early. Perform Ghusl (full-body ritual bath). Wear new or best clean clothes. Eat nothing before Eid Salah (unlike Eid al-Fitr). Recite the Takbir loudly while walking to the Eidgah/mosque: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illAllah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa Lillahil Hamd."
- 3Eid Salah (Prayer) at the EidgahAttend the special Eid prayer (2 Rakat with additional Takbirs) at the Eidgah (open-air prayer ground) or mosque. This is the most important act of Eid โ it is Wajib (obligatory) for every Muslim man and highly recommended for women. The prayer is followed by the Khutbah (sermon).
- 4Qurbani (Animal Sacrifice)After the Eid prayer, perform Qurbani โ the sacrifice of a sheep, goat, cow, buffalo, or camel. This is obligatory for every adult Muslim who possesses Nisab (the minimum wealth threshold for Zakat). The meat is divided into three equal portions: family, relatives/friends, and the poor/needy.
- 5Family Gathering, Feasting & VisitingThe three days of Eid are for celebration, family, and community. Visit relatives and friends. Exchange Eid greetings โ "Eid Mubarak!" Traditional Eid foods vary by region: biryani, seviyan (vermicelli), sheer khurma, mutton curry, kebabs, haleem. Give Eidi (gifts/cash) to children and elders.
Qurbani (from Arabic Qurban โ meaning "to draw near to God") must follow specific Islamic rules (as per Sharia) to be valid:
- 1Animal RequirementsPermissible animals: sheep/goat (1 per person/family), cow/buffalo/camel (shared by up to 7 people). Animals must be healthy, above minimum age (sheep: 1 year+, goat: 1 year+, cow: 2 years+, camel: 5 years+), and without significant defects (not blind, lame, sick, or extremely thin).
- 2Intention (Niyyah)Make sincere intention in your heart before the sacrifice: "I am performing this Qurbani for the sake of Allah alone, following the Sunnah of Ibrahim." The intention must be purely for Allah โ not for show or reputation.
- 3The Sacrifice (Dhabihah)The animal's throat must be cut swiftly with a very sharp knife to minimize pain. Face the animal toward the Qibla (direction of Mecca). Recite: "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest). The person making the sacrifice should ideally do it themselves or witness it.
- 4TimingQurbani is only valid after the Eid prayer on the 10th Dhul Hijjah and continues until sunset on the 12th (the last of the three days of Eid). Qurbani performed before the Eid prayer is not valid โ it must come after.
- 5Distribution of MeatDivide the meat into three equal parts: (1) For your own family's consumption; (2) For relatives and friends; (3) For the poor and needy โ this third is obligatory and must be distributed. The hide (skin) of the animal should be given to charity or used personally โ never sold for personal profit by the owner.
ููุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑูุ ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑูุ ููููููููู ุงูุญูู ูุฏ
"Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah." โ The Takbir of Eid, recited loudly from Fajr on Arafat Day until the last day of Eid.
(Bismillah, Allahumma taqabbal minni)
ุชูููุจูููู ุงูููููู ู ููููุง ููู ูููููู ู โ Taqabbalallahu Minna wa Minkum
"May Allah accept (the good deeds) from us and from you." โ The traditional Eid greeting exchanged between Muslims after prayer.
Surah Al-Kawthar (for Eid Salah):
ุฅููููุง ุฃูุนูุทูููููุงูู ุงููููููุซูุฑู โ "Indeed, We have granted you al-Kawthar (abundance)." โ The shortest surah, often recited in Eid prayer.