05 Jun
Table of Contents
Eid ul-Adha has profound spiritual significance that goes far beyond celebration. It honors the absolute faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his beloved son in obedience to Allah’s command. This powerful story of Ibrahim is the foundation of this holiday and inspires millions of Muslims worldwide to demonstrate the spirit of faith in devotion, trust, and selflessness.
In this blog, we will explore how do Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha, highlighting the meaningful rituals, prayers, and acts of charity that bring communities together in a spirit of generosity and gratitude.
The story behind Eid ul-adha
The story goes back to the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) who, in submission to Allah’s will, was prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (Ishmael) because he had been told to do so in a dream multiple times. Just as the sacrifice was being prepared, Allah intervened through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), who provided a ram to be sacrificed instead of Ismail. This was not only an intervention, but also a show of Allah’s infinite mercy along with an important lesson about submission, love, and reward. Today, Eid ul-Adha commemorates that occasion in a celebration of steadfast faith and complete trust in Allah’s plan.
Read more about the story behind Eid ul-Adha
When is eid ul-adha?
Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar.Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is solar-based, the Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. Consequently, each month in the Islamic calendar spans around 29 to 30 days, leading to a lunar year that’s approximately 11 days shorter than its solar counterpart. This difference causes Eid al-Adha to move forward by roughly 11 days each year when compared to the Gregorian calendar, shifting through different seasons over time.
Why Eid ul-Adha Matters: Spiritual Lessons
Eid ul-Adha is a very holy time for Muslims around the world. It’s a time to remember important values based on faith and being together as a community. At its core, the celebration is about complete surrender to Allah’s will, just as Prophet Ibrahim demonstrated when he was willing to sacrifice his beloved son out of obedience and trust. This act serves as a lesson for Muslims on the significance of fully submitting to Allah, even in those moments when the reasons behind His instructions aren’t readily apparent.
Eid ul-Adha serves as a reminder of core spiritual and social principles, such as:
- Blind Faith and Trust: Embracing Allah’s wisdom without question, even when faced with challenges beyond human understanding.
- Sacrifice and Generosity: Giving up something valuable, whether through the sacrifice of an animal or acts of charity, reflects a spirit of selflessness and care for others.
- Unity and Community:Eid ul-Adha brings Muslims from all over the world together in a common celebration that transcends borders and social status.
How do muslims celebrate Eid ul adha? Eid day traditions
Muslims observe Eid ul-Adha with a range of heartfelt traditions that combine spirituality, family, and kindness:
- Morning prayers: Muslims gather at mosques or in open spaces to pray and hear a sermon on the significance of Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his beloved son as an act of devotion and what this means for their daily lives. Usually, people dress in new and clean clothes, to honor the day.
- A time for sacrifice: Those who are able celebrate by sacrificing an animal to honor the depth of Ibrahim’s commitment.
- Gathering with Loved Ones:It’s a special time for families and friends to reunite, usually with festive decorations in their homes and delicious traditional foods that celebrate their culture.
- Greetings and Gifts: Sharing warm greetings and exchanging carefully chosen gifts brings an extra layer of happiness to the occasion, resulting in cherished memories and joy.
- Acts of Compassion: Many participate in voluntary giving and support charitable initiatives to help those less fortunate, reinforcing the spirit of care and mercy that defines the holiday.
The sacrifice ritual: an integral part of eid ul-adha
A core aspect of Eid ul-Adha is the Qurbani, the ritual sacrifice. Those who are able participate by sacrificing an animal like a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This act is a reminder of Prophet Ibrahim’s great belief and how he was ready to sacrifice his own son to follow Allah’s command. What makes this ritual especially meaningful is the way the meat is distributed:
- One-third is kept for the family
- One-third is shared with friends and neighbors
- One-third is given to those in need
This thoughtful division reinforces the spirit of generosity, unity, and care for the less fortunate, ensuring that the joy of Eid reaches every home, regardless of wealth or status.
The Eid Morning: Performing Eid ul-adha prayers
The prayer takes place very early in the morning on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the first day of Eid. Though specific times differ based on location, most communities gather around 6:00 or 7:00 AM.
Since many people attend Eid prayers, they are almost always conducted in open spaces that can accommodate the crowds such as main mosque courtyards, or also very large gathering spaces such as sports halls and convention centres especially in Western contexts. When open spaces are not available, attendees pray in mosques for Eid prayers.
Before stepping out for this special prayer, Muslims prepare just as they would for regular prayers by performing wudu (ablution) and dressing modestly in clean or new clothes.
Structure of the Eid Prayer
The Eid prayer has unique features that distinguish it from regular daily prayers:
- No Adhan or Iqamah: The prayer begins without the usual call to prayer.
- Two Rak’ahs (units), with added Takbirs:
- First Rak’ah: 7 extra takbirs after the opening, followed by Surah Al-Fatiha and another surah (often Al-A’la) followed by ruku and sujoud as usual
- Second Rak’ah: 5 extra takbirs, Surah Al-Fatiha and another surah (often Al-Ghashiyah) each followed by ruku and sujoud.
Once the prayer concludes, the imam delivers a sermon. On Eid, this is different from Friday prayers, since the khutbah (sermon) takes place after the prayer.
Making the most of Eid ul-adha
- Plan ahead: Whether it’s meals, gatherings, or gifting, planning and organizing details ahead of time can help you feel calm and focused while you enjoy the day.
- Involve everyone: All family members can participate ; younger family members to elderly can contribute, whether it is decorating the home, preparing food, or sharing in the sacrifice, involving them ensures these tasks become memorable activities.
- Practice giving: Share what you have with others, visit those who may be alone, and let generosity shape your actions throughout the celebration.
Noor Institute: authentic, accessible online islamic learning
As Eid ul-Adha reminds us of faith, sacrifice, and devotion, Noor Institute offers a perfect opportunity to learn more about these essential Islamic principles. Through authentic and accessible online courses, Noor Institute provides authentic online courses accessible to all learners so that you can explore the wide teachings behind Eid as well as many other significant traditions, anytime, anywhere. Whether you want to explore foundational knowledge or advance your understanding, Noor Institute provides the guidance and community to enrich your faith journey during this special time and beyond.
Conclusion
After exploring how do Muslims celebrate Eid ul Adha, it is evident that this special occasion is a great combination of faith, sacrifice and community spirit. From the morning prayers to the symbolic ceremonies and acts of giving, Eid ul-Adha is a strong expression of faith and generosity that brings Muslims together.
For those wishing to further explore the teachings of Islam, Noor Institute offers authentic and structured courses aimed at giving you the flexibility to learn at your own pace and from anywhere in the world. Noor Institute provides knowledge within a vibrant community that guides you on your spiritual path.
Enroll today in one of our islamic courses to unlock authentic knowledge
