Eid al-Adha
Second main Islamic festival commemorating Abraham's sacrifice.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى, meaning "Feast of the Sacrifice") is one of Islam’s two major festivals, the other being Eid al-Fitr. It occurs on the 10th of Dhu'l-Hijja, the final month of the Islamic calendar, and its observances typically extend into the three following days, called the Tashreeq days. Depending on the region and language, it is also known as the Greater or Large Eid (Arabic: العيد الكبير). Like Eid al-Fitr, the day begins with a special Eid prayer performed in the morning, after which comes the udhiyah—the ritual sacrifice of a livestock animal. This practice honors Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son; in Islamic tradition, either Ishmael or Isaac is referred to with the title "Sacrifice of God." Pilgrims performing the Hajj on this day also carry out the tawaf and saee, as well as the ritual stoning of the Devil.
The Arabic word عيد (ʿīd) means festival, celebration, feast day, or holiday. Its root (ʕ-y-d) carries meanings of returning, repeating, or an appointed time. Scholar Arthur Jeffery argued the term was borrowed into Arabic from Syriac or, less likely, Targumic Aramaic. The holiday’s full name, عيد الأضحى, uses أضحى (aḍḥā), synonymous with قربان (qurbān), both meaning sacrifice or offering. The first root, ضحى (ḍaḥḥā), relates to immolation and sacrifice, though it does not appear in the Quran with this meaning—only in Hadith. Assyrian and other Middle Eastern Christians use the term for the Eucharistic host. The second root, قرب (qaraba), implies closeness, kinship, and sacrifice; Jeffery believed this sense entered Arabic through Aramaic. In Iran and the Indian subcontinent, the holiday is pronounced Eid al-Azha or Eidul Azha, while in Turkish-speaking countries it is called Kurban Bayramı.
According to Islamic tradition, one of Abraham’s greatest trials was God’s command to sacrifice his eldest son, Ishmael (Ibrahim and Isma’il in Arabic). Muslims overwhelmingly reject the biblical claim that Isaac was the intended victim. The Quran recounts that Abraham saw repeated dreams of killing his son and interpreted them as a divine command. He told his son, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I ˹must˺ sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” The son replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.” As Abraham prepared to obey, Satan tried to dis
- type
- Islamic religious festival
- observed_by
- Muslims worldwide
- date
- 10th of Dhu'l-Hijja (Islamic calendar)
- also_known_as
- Greater Eid, Eid al-Kabir, Kurban Bayramı
- associated_rituals
- Eid prayer, udhiyah (animal sacrifice), takbir
- duration
- Eid day plus three Tashreeq days
Lore & Background
According to Islamic tradition, one of the main trials of Abraham's life was to receive and obey the command of God to sacrifice his eldest son, Ishmael. Muslims overwhelmingly reject the Biblical claim that Isaac was the designated victim. Abraham prepared to submit to the will of God, and during the preparation, Satan tried to dissuade him, so Abraham drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him. In commemoration of their rejection of the devil, pilgrims to Mecca throw stones at pillars that mark the place where Satan tried to tempt Abraham. Acknowledging Abraham's willingness, God honoured both Abraham and his son, and a ram from heaven was offered by the Angel Gabriel to prophet Abraham to slaughter instead of his son.
Reader's Guide
Eid al-Adha holds deep significance in Islam as a commemoration of faith, obedience, and sacrifice. The festival involves the Eid prayer performed on the morning of Eid al-Adha, after which the udhiyah (ritual animal sacrifice) is performed by those who can afford it, symbolizing Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. The meat is divided into three parts: for the family, for relatives and friends, and for the poor, ensuring every Muslim gets to eat meat. Pilgrims performing the Hajj typically perform the tawaf and saee of Hajj on Eid al-Adha, along with the ritual stoning of the Devil. The festival is known by various names across cultures, including Kurban Bayramı in Turkish-speaking countries and Bakri Eid in Bangladesh. Its date in the Gregorian calendar varies yearly due to the lunar Islamic calendar being approximately eleven days shorter than the solar calendar.
Did You Know?
- Eid al-Adha is also called the Greater or Large Eid (Arabic: al-ʿĪd al-Kabīr).
- The word 'Eid' appears once in Al-Ma'ida, the fifth surah of the Quran, with the meaning 'a festival or a feast'.
- In Bangladesh, an estimated 13 million animals are sacrificed each year during Eid al-Adha.
- The story of Abraham's sacrifice is known as the Akedah in Judaism and originates in the Torah, in the first book of Moses (Genesis, Ch. 22).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha is the second of Islam's two principal religious festivals, landing on the 10th of Dhu'l-Hijja, the final month of the lunar Islamic calendar. It is also commonly called the Greater Eid, Eid al-Kabir, or Kurban Bayramı, and is observed by Muslim communities worldwide.
What are Eid al-Adha's powers/role?
The festival is built around two central acts: a special congregational Eid prayer performed in the morning and the udhiyah, the ritual slaughter of a livestock animal. The three Tashreeq days that follow extend the period of observance and communal celebration.
How does Eid al-Adha's story end?
The observance wraps up after the three Tashreeq days that follow the 10th of Dhu'l-Hijja. During those closing days, the meat from the sacrificed animal is shared with family, neighbors, and those in need, completing the cycle of gratitude and charity.
Why is Eid al-Adha important?
It stands as one of only two major Eid festivals in Islam and marks the climax of the annual religious calendar, coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage. Its core message—total devotion and trust in God's provision—gives it a spiritual weight that sets it apart from ordinary holidays.
What is Eid al-Adha's origin story?
The festival traces back to the Abrahamic narrative in which God commanded Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice to test his faith. When Abraham proved his willingness to comply, God provided a ram in the child's place, and the ritual of animal sacrifice has been performed in remembrance ever since.
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