Eid al-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice

Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is the second of the two major Islamic festivals, falling on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, coinciding with the final days of Hajj. It commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to a command from God, before God provided a ram to be sacrificed in his place. The day begins with a congregational Eid prayer, after which Muslims who are able perform qurbani (or udhiyah), the ritual sacrifice of an animal such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. The meat from this sacrifice is traditionally divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for those in need, ensuring the less fortunate share in the occasion. For Muslims not performing Hajj that year, Eid al-Adha is still observed with prayer, sacrifice, and family gatherings, connecting the wider global Muslim community to the pilgrims completing their rites in Mecca at the same time. Along with Eid al-Fitr, it represents one of the two days each year the Quran and Sunnah designate for major communal celebration, both tied directly to acts of worship — the completion of Ramadan's fast, and the completion of Hajj.