In Islam, there are two major celebration festivals known as Eids: Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, and Eid-ul-Adha, the larger Eid that falls on the day after the annual Hajj journey is completed and known as Qurbani (sacrifice).
Despite not being directly related to the Hajj pilgrimage, Eid-ul-Adha holds significance in terms of timing as it occurs just one day after the Hajj is completed.
The tenth day of Dhu-al-Hijjah, the last (twelfth) month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar, is Eid-ul-Adha. One of the major Five Pillars of Islam, the annual Hajj pilgrimage, is mandatory for all Muslims who meet certain requirements. The day of celebration is determined by a valid moon sighting that occurs after the pilgrimage is completed.
Eid-ul-Adha is observed to honor Prophet Ibrahim’s courage to offer his son Ismail as a sacrifice and his unwavering loyalty to Allah SWT. At the exact moment of sacrifice, Ismail was swapped out for a ram that was to be killed in place of his son by Allah SWT. This directive from Allah SWT was an attempt to gauge Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness and dedication to follow his Lord’s instructions without hesitation. Eid-ul-Adha, then, signifies the holiday of sacrifice.
The duration of Eid-ul-Adha celebrations varies per nation and can range from two to four days. Following the Eid Salaah (Eid Prayers), which occur in a community in the closest mosque on the morning of Eid, is the act of Qurbani (sacrifice).
An animal is sacrificed during the Qurbani ceremony in honor of Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice on behalf of Allah SWT. Another name for this is Udhiya. Three days, from the 10th to the 12th of Dhu-al-Hijjah, are set aside for animal sacrifice.
A sheep, lamb, goat, cow, bull, or camel must be used as the sacrifice; a sheep, lamb, or goat is worth one Qurbani share, while a bull, cow, or camel is worth seven shares. For an animal to be killed in a “halal,” or Islamic, manner, it must be in excellent health and be older than a specific amount of years.
The Qurbani meat can then be divided into three equal portions each share: one-third is to be donated to people in need, one-third is for you and your family, and one-third is for friends.
The customary activities on this day include gift-giving, dressing in new or finest clothes, and celebrating with loved ones.
How Many Days is Eid ul-Adha?
Similar to Eid ul-Fitr, the three-day celebration of Eid ul-Adha is a time of great joy and happiness for the Muslim community. It is a national holiday in nations with a majority of Muslims.
Qurbani (Sacrifice): Muslims who can afford it will sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one-third for the family, one-third for relatives and friends, and one-third for the needy. This practice underscores the themes of charity and sharing within the community (Time and Date) (Islamic Relief Canada).
Eid Prayers: Special prayers are performed in congregations at mosques or open spaces. These prayers are usually followed by a sermon (khutbah) and community gatherings (IslamicFinder).
Charity and Sharing: Besides distributing meat, Muslims also give money and food to the poor, reinforcing the importance of helping those in need (Time and Date) (Islamic Relief UK).
Celebratory Meals: Families prepare lavish meals featuring meat from the sacrificed animal. Traditional dishes vary by region but often include biryani, maqluba, and couscous (Time and Date).
Sunnah Practices: Muslims follow certain Sunnah (traditional practices) on Eid, such as taking a bath, wearing their best clothes, applying perfume, and reciting Takbir (praises of Allah) on their way to the Eid prayer (IslamicFinder).