Why is Eid al-Adha Celebrated?

In Islam, there are two important festivals in the religious year. Eid al-Adha is the most important of these, and falls during the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijja. The festival itself occurs on the tenth day of this month, but it is celebrated and observed through the following three ‘tashreeq’ days, underlining the spiritual and cultural significance of this festival. Dhu al-Hijja is one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar where war is forbidden and is also when the Hajj – the mandatory once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca – is undertaken.

The other key Islamic festival is Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan on the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Of the two, Eid al-Adha is considered the most spiritually and historically significant, and so it is often known as ‘Greater Eid’.

But why is Eid al-Adha celebrated and why is it so important?

The Meaning of Eid al-Adha

When translated from Arabic, Eid al-Adha means ‘Feast of Sacrifice’. The festival commemorates a historical sacrifice, signifies metaphorical ones and is embodied by the making of a literal sacrifice.

Eid al-Adha commemorates a key event from Islamic history, when the patriarch and prophet Ibrahim (AS) was prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Ishmael (AS) to fulfil the command of Allah (SWT). Ibrahim had been told that he would have a righteous son but that he must be sacrificed for God when he reached puberty. Neither Ibrahim nor Ishmael hesitated to obey the will of Allah (SWT), even though the father would have to kill the son by his own hand:

‘ [Ibrahim] said, “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you, so see what you think.” He [Ismail] said, “O my father! Do as you are commanded. If Allah wills, you shall find me of the patient.”’ (Qur’an, 37:102)

In some versions of the story, Shaytan (the Devil) came to Ibrahim (AS) three times to try and convince him not to sacrifice his son. Each time Ibrahim attested that the instruction from Allah (SWT) must be followed, threw stones at Shaytan and drove him away.

When the time came to carry out the sacrifice, although they were both in tears, Ibrahim and Ishmael (AS) remembered Allah and reaffirmed their faith. As he brought his knife to Ishmael’s neck, Ibrahim (AS) heard a voice:

“We called to him, “O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, in this way We reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was certainly the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice, and We left for him this favourable mention among later generations: “Peace upon Ibrahim.”’ (Qu’ran, 37:103-109).

A white horned ram appeared at Ibrahim’s side. Ibrahim undid his son’s bonds, saying “Oh my son, today you have been given to me!”, and sacrificed the ram to Allah (SWT) in Ishmael’s place.

This is why faith and sacrifice are at the heart of Eid al-Adha.

Why We Celebrate Eid al-Adha

Muslims mark Eid al-Adha to remember and reflect on the faith, obedience and devotion of Ibrahim and Ishmael (AS) to Allah (SWT). Ibrahim was prepared to sacrifice his longed-for and beloved son and Ishmael was willing to give up his own life, simply because it was the will of Allah (SWT).

Their faith and commitment were rewarded – they were ultimately not required to carry out the act, a valuable and sacred ram was provided to them, and they achieved spiritual reward and ‘favourable mention among later generations’.

Muslims should try their utmost to embody the same devotion and obedience in their own lives and actions. Eid al-Adha is the time to remember the example set by Ibrahim and Ishamel (AS) and reflect how it can be followed today.

An important spiritual concept that must be remembered at Eid al-Adha is taqwa – consciousness of God. Ibrahim (AS) obeyed the will of Allah (SWT) with sincerity and was genuinely prepared to sacrifice his son, just as Ishmael (AS) was sincerely intending to give up his life.

It was this faith and sincerity which meant that they fulfilled the will of Allah (SWT) – even though the sacrifice was not carried out, they had accepted in their hearts and minds that it would be. It is not enough to merely perform acts and rituals as required. They must be done with piety and awareness of Allah (SWT).

The fact that Ibrahim (AS) sacrificed the sacred ram presented to him in Ishmael’s place further embodied taqwa. Not only did he ensure that a sacrifice was still made to Allah (SWT) but gave up a valuable and desirable possession as soon as it appeared to him.

Celebrating Eid al-Adha

There are many aspects to celebrating Eid al-Adha, from special prayers to shared meals at feasts.

The day of Eid al-Adha is a time when Muslims take particular care to follow the example – the sunnah – of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) to focus and renew their spiritual relationship with Allah (SWT) and this significant time of year. This can include ghusl (ritual bathing and cleansing), wearing their best clothes and applying fragrances and perfumes, saying special prayers in private or at home with their family and attending their mosque for Eid prayers in congregation with other Muslims. Like many religious festivals, it is also a time for connecting with friends and family, sharing meals and exchanging gifts.

The most symbolic and significant part of celebrating Eid al-Adha is qurbani – literally ‘sacrifice’. To commemorate and embody Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son at the will of Allah (SWT), and his sacrifice of the ram in his place, Muslims sacrifice an animal at Eid al-Adha. The animal is sacrificed in keeping with the dhabihah principles for halal animals, and the meat is distributed in three parts – one part to the person making the sacrifice, one part to their family and one part to the poor and needy. Cows, goats, sheep and camels are the animals permitted for a qurbani sacrifice.

In modern times, it is not practical for every Muslim to buy and slaughter their own animal and distribute the meat themselves. So, especially for Muslims in developed countries and urban areas, it is usual to purchase an animal which is then slaughtered and the meat distributed on their behalf. This is often done through national or international organisations or charities, which can procure suitable animals in large quantities and ensure that the meat is distributed to those in need. For many poor, vulnerable or disadvantaged communities, what they receive when qurbani is distributed will be the only meat they eat in a year.

With a family traditionally receiving meat after their qurbani sacrifice, an important part of an Eid al-Adha celebration is a large meal shared within a family or community, usually in the evening after returning home from Eid prayers.

Celebrate Eid al-Adha 2025 with Orphans in Need

You can embody the spirit and meaning of Eid al-Adha by donating your Qurbani through Orphans in Need. Give your sacrifice from as little as £25 for a share in an animal and share the joy of this special time. Donate Qurbani for 2025 with Orphans in Need to help some of the most vulnerable people in the world and let them celebrate Eid al-Adha too.