What is Eid-ul-Adha?
There are two key Eid (Celebration Festivals) in Islam: Eid-ul-Fitr, which signifies the completion of the Holy Month of Ramadan, and Eid-ul-Adha, the greater Eid, which follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, at the time of Qurbani (sacrifice).
Although Eid-ul-Adha has no direct relation to the Hajj Pilgrimage, it is a day after the completion of the Hajj and, therefore, has significance in time.
The day of Eid-ul-Adha falls on the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar, Dhu-al-Hijjah. The day that celebrations fall depends on a legitimate sighting of the moon following the completion of the annual Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj - an obligation for all Muslims who fit specific criteria, one of the critical Five Pillars of Islam.
Eid-ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah SWT and his readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. At the very point of sacrifice, Allah SWT replaced Ismail with a ram, which was to be slaughtered in place of his son. This command from Allah SWT tested Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness and commitment to obey his Lord’s command without question. Therefore, Eid-ul-Adha means the festival of sacrifice.
Depending on the country, Eid-ul-Adha celebrations can last anywhere between two and four days. The act of Qurbani (sacrifice) is carried out following the Eid Salaah (Eid Prayers), performed in congregation at the nearest Mosque on the morning of Eid.
The act of Qurbani consists of slaughtering an animal as a sacrifice to mark this occasion in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice for Allah SWT. This is also known as Udhiya—the total number of days of animal sacrifice from the 10th to the 12th of Dhu-al-Hijjah.
The sacrificial animal must be a sheep, lamb, goat, cow, bull, or camel; the sheep, lamb, or goat consists of one Qurbani share, whereas a bull, cow, or camel consists of seven shares per animal. The animal must be in good health and over a certain age to be slaughtered in a “halal” friendly, Islamic way.
The Qurbani meat can then be divided into three equal portions per share: one-third is for you and your family, one-third is for friends, and the final third is to be donated to those in need.
Traditionally, the day is spent celebrating with family, friends, and loved ones, often wearing new or best attire and giving gifts.
Sample Image Gallery
