On Eid Al Adha, عيد مبارك
Today, millions globally will take part in festivities; dress up in their finest attire, exchange gifts and make and share foods infused with saffron and cardamon that fill the air with sweet scents. It is a time to join friends and family for a feast to celebrate a time of immense joy.
This major festival marks the end of the Hajj (الحج, Pilgrimage to Makkah) on the tenth day of the twelfth month of Dhul-Hijja (شهر ذي الحجة). The Hajj is the last of the five pillars of Islam. Pilgrims performing Hajj sacrifice animals at the village of Mina on their way back to Makkah from Mount Arafat (جبل عرفات), where they have spent the first day of the festival. This commemorates Ibrahim’s (إبراهيم) willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail (إسماعيل) as an act of faith and devotion.
Eid al-Adha takes place following the completion of Hajj on the 10th Day of the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the more important out of the two major Islamic festivals, the other being Eid al-Fitr which takes place following the end of Ramadan. This celebration commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his devotion and trust in Allah, shown by his willingness to sacrifice his son. This is why Eid Al-Adha is aptly named the ‘festival of sacrifice.’
The story of Ibrahim and Ismail
As part of the festivities of Eid Al-Adha, Muslims around the world sacrifice a livestock animal if they can afford to do so – a practice called Qurbani or Udhiya (قربان or أضحية). Qurbani is the way in which Muslims remember the Prophet Ibrahim’s act of humility and complete devotion. The story of Qurbani goes as follows: one night Allah came to Ibrahim in a dream, telling him to sacrifice his son. Thinking this was the devil (شيطان) playing tricks on him, he disregarded it. However, the following night the dream came to him again, commanding him once more to sacrifice his son, Ismail. After this second instance, Ibrahim realised this was no trick, this was in fact a command from Allah.
Despite Ibrahim’s unconditional love for his son, Ismail, he prepared himself to carry out Allah’s wish. He gathered a knife and a rope and took his son to the top of Mount Arafat, also known as the mount of Mercy (جبل الرحمة). After reaching the top of the Mountain, Ibrahim told Ismail of Allah’s instruction and being an obedient son, Ismail complied. Ibrahim tied Ismail down so he did not struggle, and Ibrahim blindfolded himself so he would not see his son suffer at his hands.
Carrying out Allah’s order, Ibrahim struck down on Ismail. However, after uncovering his eyes, he found that it was not Ismail he had struck, but the body of a ram. Ismail was completely unharmed. Ibrahim began to worry that he had somehow disobeyed Allah’s orders, but a voice came to him, and reassured him that Allah looks after his followers and that he need not worry. As a result, Eid al-Adha is celebrated today to commemorate this act of devotion by Ibrahim, as well as Allah’s mercy.
Traditions and celebrations
To celebrate this event, Muslims around the world who are financially able to, will perform Qurbani (sacrifice), by slaughtering either a sheep, lamb, goat, cow, bull or camel. The prerequisites are that the animal must be over a certain age, and in good health, so that the sacrifice is halal (حلال). The meat from these animals is then divided into three equal portions which are then shared; one third is reserved for the family, the other for friends, and the last third is donated to those in need.
It is a day of togetherness and people gather and celebrate by dressing in their best attire, giving children gifts and sharing meals with friends and family. Although there are some cultural variations to how this period of festivities is celebrated, generally the day starts with a morning prayer, followed by people embracing and wishing each other ‘Eid Mubarak’ (عيد مبارك ,blessed festival). After prayers, Qurbani/Udhiya is performed and meat distributed.
In the United Arab Emirates, a three-day public holiday is granted and festivities take place. In Pakistan, Eid al-Adha is a four-day religious holiday. In some parts of Turkey, the animal to be sacrificed is adorned with ribbons and painted with brightly coloured henna. In the UK, many visit funfairs and festivals held for the occasion across the country. Eid al-Adha is also a time when initiatives are launched by Muslim communities to help improve the quality of life for Muslims living in the UK. Mosques hold study groups and lecture series to help the wider community understand and learn about Islam and Islamic history.
As observers and allies look for more information, additional insights and reflect on the meaning and significance of the events of the day, we have collated some sources to help you find out more (see below).
Eid Mubarak to our Muslim alumni and supporters. We wish you peace, happiness and blessings on this significant day!
Words by Amrita Rahman and Catherine Dunford
Find out more about the information in this article and Eid al-Adha at:
‘Calander of Religious Festivals: July 2022 to December 2023’, The Shap Calander Group, http://www.shapcalendar.org.uk/calendar.html
‘Eid al-Adha’ June 2022, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/eid-al-adha
‘Eid Feasts Around the World’, Bayt Al Fann, https://www.baytalfann.com/post/eid-feasts-from-around-the-world
‘Eid Recipes’, BBC Good Food, https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/eid-recipes
‘Here’s What You Need To Know About Eid Al-Adha, One of Islam’s Biggest Holidays’ Amy Woodyatt, CNN, August 2019, https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/09/world/eid-al-adha-2019-intl-scli/index.html
‘How Eid al-Adha Is Celebrated In Different Countries Across the Globe’, ANI, June 2019, https://www.aninews.in/news/lifestyle/culture/how-eid-al-adha-is-celebrated-in-different-countries-across-the-globe20210719203913/
‘Islamic Festival Eid al-Adha’, Huda, Learn Religions, January 2019, https://www.learnreligions.com/eid-al-adha-2004304
‘The Story of Ibrahim (AS)- Ibrahim’s (AS) Sacrifice’ Muslim Aid, https://www.muslimaid.org/what-we-do/religious-dues/qurbani/story-of-ibrahim/
‘Who Hid the Eid Lamb?’ Taghreed A. Nadir, World Literature Today, January 2005, https://www.jstor.org/stable/40158791?searchText=&searchUri=/action/doBasicSearch?Query=Eid-+al+-+adha&ab_segments=0/basic_search_gsv2/control&searchKey=&refreqid=fastly-default:cdf42f30b9ba4dd42bfde54db9160369&seq=3