Eid Al-Adha

Eid al-Adha – also known as ‘Big Eid’ and ‘Greater Eid’ is the holiest time of the year in the Islamic community. Find out more about this sacred celebration.

In the Islamic calendar, there are two times of great celebration known as Eid. Eid al-Fitr (also known as the smaller Eid) falls at the end of the auspicious month of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha (known as the Greater Eid or Qurbani Eid) is the festival that follows the great pilgrimage to Hajj at the time of Qurbani. The celebrations of Eid are a time to come together with family and friends, eat delicious food, and give gifts to the younger members of your community.

With this being said, when is Qurbani Eid? The Eid al-Adha 2024 date is anticipated to fall on Sunday, 16 June, depending on the sighting of the moon. Although there is no fixed date in the Gregorian calendar, as the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle and changes by approximately 10 days every year, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the final calendar month, Dhul Hijjah.

To enable others living in poverty to enjoy Eid alongside their brothers and sisters, Orphans in Need work to distribute your donations for Eid al-Adha to those most in need, providing Eid gifts to orphans and food parcels to families.

What is Eid al-Adha?

So, what is Qurbani Eid? The Qurbani Eid story stems from the Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who willingly gave his son, the most precious thing in his life, for sacrifice in the name of Allah (SWT). At the last moment, Allah (SWT) - recognising the Prophet’s devotion - swapped Ibrahim’s (AS) son with a ram, and to this day, Muslims sacrifice an animal in the name of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) as part of the tradition of Qurbani. Part of this sacrifice is providing food to people most in need, and each Qurbani share is split into three parts: one for the family, one for friends, and one to be given to those living in poverty.

Muslims live far and wide around the world, and it is not possible for everyone to give Qurbani in the traditional way. As a result, charities like Orphans in Need accept Qurbani donations online and use them to purchase and sacrifice animals on the donor's behalf. Whilst the donor will not see their share and their friends will not see the second share, they will still reap the rewards of making the donation, and those in need will be able to enjoy a nutritious and filling meal.

Eid al-Adha translates to the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ or the ‘Festival of Offering’ and is considered the holiest of festivals in the Islamic calendar and is one of the two days the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) declared to be official days of celebration.

When is Eid al-Adha 2024?

So, when is Qurbani Eid 2024? The Eid al-Adha date in the UK standard Gregorian calendar changes from year to year, but in the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the 12th month, called Dhul Hijjah. This year that date is Sunday, 16 June 2024.

How Many Days is Eid al-Adha?

The festival lasts three to four days and doesn’t begin until the sighting of the moon has been confirmed after the annual Holy Pilgrimage to Hajj. The act of Qurbani takes place only after the morning Eid prayers have finished. Any animals that are slaughtered prior to the morning Eid prayers are not officially considered Qurbani.

How is Eid al-Adha Celebrated?

At this holy time, it’s a tradition for communities to come together in celebration, to join in a congregation for prayers, and to make a donation to enable others to enjoy this auspicious occasion. Friends and families wish each other a happy Eid with the phrase “Eid Mubarak!” This is a shortened greeting from “Eid al-Adha Mubarak” and "Eid al-Fitr Mubarak” and is spoken as a blessing during both Eid festivals.

This is also a time of reflection, whereby some adhere to Eid al-Adha Qurbani rules. Some Qurbani Eid rules include an optional fast from the first of Dhul Hijjah until the festival of Qurbani, and others follow in the way of the Prophet (SAW) and choose not to cut their hair or nails until their sacrifice has been made.

This year, help Orphans in Need reach more families and donate your Qurbani with us, or contribute to giving Eid gifts to our orphans and brighten a child’s Eid al-Adha celebration