Eid Al-Adha, meaning the Festival of Sacrifice, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It is the second most important festival in the Islamic calendar, after Eid Al-Fitr.
When is Eid Al-Adha celebrated?
It is celebrated on the 10th Dhul Hijjah which means the month of the pilgrimage. Eid Al-Adha is a four-day festival that follows the end of the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. This date changes every year based on the Islamic calendar which is based on the lunar calendar.
Why do Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha?
Muslims believe that Prophet Ibrahim had a dream where he was being asked by Allah to sacrifice his son, Ismail. This was a very difficult decision for Ibrahim to make, as Ismail was his most beloved thing.
When Prophet Ibrahim closed his eyes as he was about to sacrifice his son, an angel appeared and replaced his son with a lamb. Allah accepted this sacrifice.
This act of sacrificing an animal is copied by Muslims worldwide on Eid Al-Adha.
What happens during Eid Al-Adha?
In Muslim countries, Eid Al-Adha is a public holiday which includes Qurbani (animal sacrifice), prayers, and family gatherings.
During Eid Al-Adha, animals are slaughtered to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son of God.
To fully understand the importance of sacrifice, Muslims buy and take good care of an animal to which they often grow attached. By doing so, they learn compassion and realise that animals must be treated well.
Animals that can be slaughtered include goats, sheep, cows, and camels.
The meat from the slaughtered animal(s) is distributed into three equal portions which are then distributed equally to family, friends, and charity. This is to ensure that everyone has a good meal during Eid.
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