Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, "the festival of sacrifice", is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year, when the pilgrimage (Hajj) is being completed in Makkah. In India and Pakistan it is also called Bakrid or Bakra Eid. It remembers the readiness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son at Allah's command, which was replaced by a ram, as told in the Quran.

The day

Like Eid al-Fitr, it begins with a bath, clean clothes and the Eid prayer in congregation, followed by a sermon. After the prayer, those who can afford it offer the Qurbani (also called Udhiyah): the sacrifice of a sheep, goat, cow or camel according to rules about age and health of the animal, which are explained by scholars.

Sharing the meat

The common teaching is to divide the meat into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy. Many people also arrange for the meat to be given to those who cannot afford it, and some give to organised charities that carry out the Qurbani on their behalf.

The days around it

The 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah is the Day of Arafat, the main day of the Hajj, and many Muslims who are not on the pilgrimage fast on that day. The days from the 11th to the 13th, called the days of Tashreeq, are days of eating, remembrance and a special phrase of glorification said after prayers. Customs and rules differ between schools; ask your scholar.

Dates are expected dates from the Umm al-Qura calendar. The real day of Eid is fixed by the sighting of the moon, and can be a day later (often in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and elsewhere). Please follow your local announcement. This page is not a religious ruling; ask your local mosque or a trusted scholar.