Eid Al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is among the holiest days of Islam and is one of the most celebrated events in Islam. According to a hadith, Eid al-Adha is seen as:

Eid al-Adha is one of two blessed celebrations in Islam. The Eid al-Adha festival takes place on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the last and very sacred month of the Islamic calendar. It coincides with the virtuous pilgrimage of Hajj. The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims and is what makes Dhul Hijjah sacred, as war is stopped and devotion to Allah (SWT). Alongside this, Eid al-Adha comes at the time of Qurbani, where Muslims sacrifice an animal. This is a symbolic aspect of celebrating Eid al-Adha as it commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) while showing devotion to Allah (SWT). Besides its religious significance, Eid al-Adha is a time for families and friends to come together, eat tasty cuisine, and give presents to children.

What is Eid al-Adha?

As Eid al-Adha 2025 is fast approaching, it’s essential to understand what it means to gain insights into the celebration and its significance. Eid al-Adha is an Arabic word that means the festival of sacrifice. Also known as Qurbani Eid, Eid al-Adha comes from the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who willingly presented his son for sacrifice in the name of Allah (SWT). The Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ishmail (AS), both were committed to making the ultimate sacrifice. This faith and unparalleled devotion were instantly rewarded. To commemorate his great sacrifice, Muslims slaughter an animal in the days of Eid. They are encouraged to show this same devotion and obedience in their lives through their actions. Muslims are also encouraged to grow their spirituality throughtaqwa(consciousness of God). This highlights to Muslims that it isn’t just enough to perform acts and rituals, they need to be done with awareness of Allah (SWT).

Aside from the spiritual significance of the celebration, Eid al-Adha brings a great opportunity to feed those in need. This is because Qurbani is traditionally shared with the poor along with family and friends.

When is Eid al-Adha 2025?

The Eid al-Adha 2025 UK date is anticipated to fall on Sunday, 6 June. However, this all depends on the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah. It is difficult to confirm beforehand what day Eid al-Adha actually is. However, it can help to know that Eid al-Adha celebrations begin on 10th of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar.

To help the less fortunate celebrate Eid, our team at Orphans in Need distributes yourdonationsand Eid gifts to orphans and widow families. Donate to one of our appeals and give the gift of joy to an orphaned child this Eid.

How Long Does Eid al-Adha Last?

Eid al-Adha is seen as the most significant Eid celebration. Due to this, many wonder how long Eid al-Adha 2025 will be. The Eid al-Adha festival lasts for three days and begins after the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon. The act of Qurbani takes place on this day. The slaughter must be done only after the morning Eid prayers have finished. Any animals that are slaughtered prior to the morning Eid prayers are not considered Qurbani. 

Why is Eid al-Adha Celebrated?

So, why is Eid al-Adha celebrated? The festival celebrates many things, but the most significant reason is to commemorate the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The Prophet had a dream where Allah (SWT) commanded him to sacrifice the thing he loved most, his son. Ibrahim and Ismail (AS) submitted to Allah’s (SWT) command willingly as their love for God was much greater. Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) unwavering devotion led him to carry out this sacrifice, and his son also showed bravery, great faith and obedience as he said:

“O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the steadfast.” [Quran 37:102]

When the sacrifice began, Allah (SWT) stepped in to reward this brave act of faith by giving them a ram instead. The Prophet Ibrahim (AS) slaughtered the ram to show his devotion to God, and this is when the act of Qurbani began.

Qurbani is a huge reason why Eid al-Adha is celebrated, as it remembers Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) loyalty. Qurbani takes place on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and Muslims worldwide sacrifice either a sheep, cow, camel or goat. The meat is then divided into 3 equal parts. These are sent to yourself, family and friends and those in need.

Another essential reason why Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha is that it reflects on the holy pilgrimage of Hajj. Before Eid celebrations, Hajj begins. This is where Muslims go to the holy city of Mecca to perform the pilgrimage. It is an important part of Islam because it’s one of the Five Pillars of Islam. All adult Muslims who are able both physically and financially must perform this act of faith. Hajj symbolises unity, bringing Muslims from all backgrounds together to spiritually cleanse.

How is Eid al-Adha Celebrated?

To celebrate Eid al-Adha, Muslims worldwide partake in acts of devotion, follow traditions and practice Sunnah. Sunnah are acts that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) willingly performed himself and are spiritually significant to Muslims. It is also a time for family, friends and the community to come together and celebrate, while helping those in need. Eid al-Adha begins with the adoration of Allah (SWT) in prayers, which is followed by Qurbani and a festive meal with loved ones. The believers should have a shower, dress in their best clothes, and use miswak and perfume before coming to the place of prayer.

Orphans in Need has made the ritual of Qurbani easy for Muslims in the UK and elsewhere. Our team accepts Qurbani donations online and uses them to purchase and sacrifice animals on the donor's behalf. Whilst the donors will not see their share, they will reap the reward of giving nutritious meals to those suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

Eid al-Adha Traditions

During Eid al-Adha 2025, Muslims will follow traditions that are steeped in history and follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In this blessed time, individuals and communities come together in celebration. After Eid prayers in congregation, the believers perform charity and Qurbani, which is shared with the vulnerable members of the community. It is Sunnah to eat after the Eid prayer on the day of Eid al-Adha to enable everyone to enjoy a hearty meal cooked with the Qurbani meat.

Other Eid al-Adha traditions include the trimming of nails and hair after the Qurbani. This is prohibited prior to the slaughter. The Prophet (SAW) highlighted the importance of Muslims coming together to celebrate Eid al-Adha in the following hadith.