What is Eid ul Adha?
عِيدُ الْأَضْحَى
Learn about Eid ul Adha — the Festival of Sacrifice, its connection to Hajj and Prophet Ibrahim, and how to observe it.
The Festival of Sacrifice
Eid ul Adha is the second major Islamic festival, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim ﷺ to sacrifice his son Ismail ﷺ as an act of obedience to Allah — before Allah replaced the sacrifice with a ram. It falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage. It is also known as the "Greater Eid."
When is Eid ul Adha?
Eid ul Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah — the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage. Like all Islamic dates, it is confirmed by moon sighting.
What is Qurbani (Sacrifice)?
Qurbani is the sacrifice of a livestock animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel) performed between the 10th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah. It is Wajib in the Hanafi school for every adult Muslim who has the Nisab (minimum wealth threshold). The meat is divided into three parts: one third for the family, one third for relatives and friends, and one third for the poor.
The Days of Tashreeq
The 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah are known as the Days of Tashreeq — three blessed days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of Allah. In the Hanafi school, Takbeer-e-Tashreeq ("Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd") is recited after every obligatory prayer from the Fajr of 9th Dhul Hijjah to the Asr of 13th.
Sunnah Acts on Eid ul Adha
Unlike Eid ul Fitr, on Eid ul Adha it is Sunnah NOT to eat before the Eid prayer — instead breaking the fast after the prayer with the meat of the Qurbani. Other Sunnahs: Ghusl, wearing best clothes, going to the prayer ground by different routes, and offering congratulations.
How to Perform Eid Prayer
Eid ul Adha prayer has the same structure as Eid ul Fitr — 2 Wajib Rakats with extra Takbeers:
How to Pray Eid ul Adha (Hanafi) →Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Eid ul Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan and marks gratitude for the month of fasting. Eid ul Adha commemorates Ibrahim's ﷺ sacrifice and coincides with the Hajj. The prayer structure is the same for both, but the occasions and recommended acts differ significantly.
In the Hanafi school, Qurbani is Wajib for every sane, adult, free Muslim who possesses the Nisab amount (above basic needs and debts) on the day of Eid. In other schools it is Sunnah Muakkadah.