Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى ‘Īdu l-’Aḍḥā) "Festival of Sacrifice" is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It is when Muslims sacrifice a goat, sheep, cow, camel, and bull sending part of the meat to poor people as a donation. It marks the end of the pilgrimage hajj for the millions of Muslims who make the trip to Mecca each year and pray 5 times a day. They like to tell Allah what they are thinking and hope for him to help them, and remember Ibrahim and Isma’il’s courage and devotion to God.

Eid al-Adha (‘Īdu l-’Aḍḥā)
Eid al-Adha in Shanghai, China
Official name	Arabic: عيد الأضحى ‘Īdu l-’Aḍḥā
Also called	Festival of Sacrifice Sacrifice Feast Greater Eid
Type	Islamic
Significance	Commemoration of Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.
Begins	10 Dhu al-Hijjah
Ends	13 Dhu al-Hijjah
Observances	Prayer, sacrificing a goat, sheep, cow or a camel, sending to poor people as a donation
Related to	Eid ul-Fitr, the other Islamic festival, which occurs on the first day of Shawal

Origin

The festival is to celebrate Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son, Isma’il, because Allah told him to do so in a dream. Showing that he loved Allah more than his own son. And at the final moment, after taking his son's consent, as he was swinging his axe to kill his son God told an angel to switch a lamb instead of his son, and this act of sacrificing a lamb is copied by Muslims all over the world on Eid.

Ibrahim was tempted by Satan not to listen to God, and Ibrahim drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him. This is also still commemorated by Muslims during Hajj.

Practices, traditions and observations

Eid prayer

The Eid prayer must be offered in congregation. It consists of two Rakaah (units) with seven Takbirs in the first Raka'ah and five Takbirs in the second Raka'ah.

Sacrifice

The sacrifice of an animal, usually a cow, sheep or a goat, is a very important part of Eid. The act repeats what Ibrahim did, and also shows Muslims' devotion to God (Allah).

Celebrations

Muslims celebrate by having a feast, and giving gifts to the poor. In some Muslim traditions gifts are also given to children. In Muslim countries the day is given as a national holiday.

Other websites

• "The Sacrifice of "Eid al-Adha"". Muttaqi, Shahid ‘Ali. animalsandIslam.com.
• "Eid Quotes And Wishes". Archived from the original on 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-05-22.