Eid ul Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice or Bakr-Eid, is one of the most important festivals in Islam, taking place on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims celebrate this holiday to honor Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael on Allah’s command to fulfill His wish. In commemoration of this event, Muslims slaughter an animal such as a cow, goat, sheep, or camel and divide the meat equally among family members and neighbors.
Eid ul Adha, or simply Eid as it’s known to Muslims, begins on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah and ends on the 12th day. This holiday commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as commanded by God before God sent him a sheep to offer instead.
A detailed note on Eid ul Adha:
What is Eid ul Adha? It’s one of two principal Islamic holidays, along with Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Adha (literally Festival of Sacrifice) honors Ibrahim. He was ready to sacrifice his son Ishmael to obedience to God until God stopped him at the last minute and provided a ram in Ishmael’s place. As a result, Muslims believe that they should not only be willing to make sacrifices for those they love and their communities but also turn away from selfishness and greed. It marks the end of Ramadan—an entire month during which many Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.
First Day of Eid ul Adha
The first day of Eid ul Adha, also known as Qurbani Day, marks the end of Ramazan and is a celebration that symbolizes our willingness to sacrifice ourselves for God. Muslims usually perform Qurbani (sacrifice) on Eid al-Adha by slaughtering animals like cows, sheep, and goats to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael for God. It is traditional for one to share part of their Qurbani with friends and family members during iftar and suhoor (the pre-dawn meal before fasting during Ramadan). During Eid al-Adha, Muslims continue performing salat prayers while wearing their finest clothes to display their joyfulness.
Second Day of Eid ul Adha
It is a tradition that an animal is sacrificed as part of Eid ul Adha. This is usually done on Eid day. The meat will be divided into three equal parts; one for your immediate family, one for your extended family and friends, and one to give to a poor person. In some regions, donating it to mosques or local orphanages has become customary. All money generated from those sales goes directly towards assisting Muslims in need, globally or locally.
If you cannot afford an animal sacrifice, then you can pay someone else who can do it for you. This is known as Qurbani (sacrifice). If you choose not to participate in Qurbani, then there are still other ways you can help others less fortunate than yourself. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter during Ramadan or donate food and clothing to these places throughout Ramadan and the year. You could also contribute time by volunteering at these places during non-Ramadan! There are plenty of opportunities available if you look hard enough!
Third-Day
As we get closer to Eid ul Adha, Muslim families begin preparing themselves and their homes to slaughter a lamb or other animal. This is done on either an Eid day or days before. Killing your animal carries a lot of symbolism, but it also has practical aspects in that you don’t have to rush to buy an animal on market day. It’s also nice to know exactly where your meat comes from and how it was slaughtered, which can be vital if you plan on consuming some of it right away.
If you don’t want to slaughter your animal, there are plenty of options at local markets and butcher shops. Make sure that any animals sold are certified halal (permissible according to Islamic law). Note: If you decide to purchase an animal from a butcher shop, ensure they will help with preparation. Some shops may charge extra for assisting with skinning or cutting up your purchase into manageable pieces like steaks or chops. You might want to call ahead and ask about these services before going out shopping to know what prices should look like when comparing places.
What do Muslims sacrifice?
One way to understand Eid is through its Arabic name—ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā (عيد الأضحى). In traditional terms, ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā signifies the Festival of Sacrifice. Historically, Muslims have sacrificed in honor of Eid during the holy month of Dhu al-Hijjah. This translates to September or October based on today’s Islamic calendar. Eid is believed to be one of Allah’s greatest gifts to his followers and a time for reflection and generosity.
It’s also an opportunity to strengthen family bonds by spending quality time with loved ones. Although Eid ul Adha is usually celebrated after Hajj, it can occur at any point during Dhu al-Hijjah if Hajj isn’t performed that year.
When does Eid ul Adha occur?
Eid ul Adha (also known as Id al-Adha, Qurban, Bakri Eid, and other names) is one of two major Muslim holidays. It begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, during which Muslims worldwide show gratitude to Allah by remembering his mercy and benevolence. This day is commemorated with prayers, traditional food such as barbecued meats, sweets, desserts, and gifts for family members. The holiday continues through Dhu al-Hajjah’s 13th day before ending on Dhu al-Hajjah’s 14th day.
When will Eid ul Adha be in 2022?
Eid ul Adha falls on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Muslims around the world will begin fasting on Friday, July 8. Eid lasts three days; it starts with a prayer service and ends with a celebration. It’s a time to come together and give thanks for what you have; after all, no one is guaranteed tomorrow, so making every day count is essential. During Eid al-Adha, families pray before sharing a meal with loved ones. This special occasion can be an opportunity to help improve your community and those around you—and what better way than by giving back?
Here are four ways you can use your celebration as an opportunity to give back during Eid al-Adha in 2022:
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. You can bring food or supplies to local shelters or soup kitchens where they could use some extra hands.
- Donate blood There may be drives in your area where you can donate blood and save lives while celebrating Eid al-Adha!
- Collect donations for animal shelters. If you want to celebrate Eid al-Adha by helping animals, consider collecting donations for your local animal shelter—including pet food, toys, blankets, treats, etc.
- Sponsor a child through World Vision. By sponsoring a child through World Vision, you’re helping provide children access to education and resources that they need most when growing up.