Eid-ul-Adha

Eid-ul-Adha is a major Islamic festival that commemorates the story of Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael (Ishmael) when Allah commanded him to. When Ibrahim showed that he would obey, Allah provided a sheep for Ibrahim to sacrifice instead.

For this reason, Eid-ul-Adha traditionally involves sacrificing a sheep or goat. The meat is then divided among family, friends, and those in need.

Eid-ul-Adha lasts for four days. Many Muslims observe the festival by dressing up, attending services at their mosque, gathering with family and friends, exchanging gifts, and making charitable donations.

Eid-ul-Adha occurs on the last day of Hajj, a pilgrimage that Muslims are obligated to undertake once in their lives.

Eid-ul-Adha can also be spelled ʾId al-Adha or Eid-ul-Adha. It’s often referred to simply as Eid. However, Eid can also refer to another festival, Eid-ul-Fitr, which happens at a different time. Eid-ul-Adha is sometimes called Big Eid, the Festival of Sacrifice, and the Great Festival.

One traditional greeting for Eid-ul-Adha is Eid Mubarak, roughly meaning “Happy Eid” or “Blessed Eid.”

In 2023, Eid al-Adha will begin on the evening of June 27 and end on the evening of June 30. In 2024, Eid al-Adha will begin on the evening of June 15 and end on the evening of June 18.

Eid-ul-Adha always begins on the tenth day of Dhu ʾl-hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the date on which Eid-ul-Adha is observed varies from year to year.

The name Eid-ul-Adha comes from the Arabic ʿīd al-aḍḥā, meaning “festival of sacrifice.” The word Eid means “festival” or “feast.” The first records of the name Eid-ul-Adha used in English come from the 1700s.

The Jewish Torah and the Christian Old Testament also include a version of the story in which a sheep is sacrificed in place of a child (in these versions, the names Abraham and Isaac are used).

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Eid-ul-Adha?

• Eid
• Eid-ul-Fitr
• Dhu ʾl-hijjah
• sacrifice
• Hajj
• festival
• feast
• sheep
• goat
• holiday

Eid-ul-Adha is one of the two major festivals in Islam, along with Eid al-Fitr.

This year as we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, let's appreciate the blessings we have. Let's also remember the story of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS): to sacrifice material gains for causes larger than ourselves and recognize the value Allah places in good intent.

Eid Mubarak!

— Tania Aidrus (@taidrus) August 1, 2020

Eid Mubarak!

Today is Eid-ul-Adha, the Big Eid, Bakrid, the Islamic festival of sacrifice.

Today we not only celebrate what we have but remember and support those who don't.

— Azra Ismail (is on the job market!) (@azraism) August 11, 2019

Islamophobia, State violence, personal life hardships, Covid… yes, nothing will prevent Muslims from celebrating Eid ul Adha. The day which teaches us sacrifice, patience & perseverance.
Eid Mubarak everyone.

— Khurram Parvez (@KhurramParvez) August 1, 2020

True or False?

Eid-ul-Adha is the same as Eid-ul-Fitr.