The 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar- Dhul Hijjah- is one of the holiest and most important months for Muslims across the globe. Many vital events occur within this month that build a Muslim’s spirituality and connection to Allah (SWT). Eid ul-Adha is just one of these highly religious events that occur within Dhul Hijjah. This Eid is known as the greater Eid and is the second of the two blessed celebrations. It is seen as greater because it holds more significance spiritually and is a time to seek Allah’s (SWT) pleasure and earn reward.
Within this religious celebration, another massive event occurs on the first day of Eid. Qurbani is a historic ritual that translates to sacrifice. Due to Qurbani taking place in Eid ul-Adha, the celebration is known as the Festival of Sacrifice. The ritual is when Muslims, who are eligible, sacrifice an animal for Allah (SWT) to adopt the devotion and love for God that the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) had. This act remembers the ultimate sacrifice of the Prophet (AS) and is a time for spiritual growth and reflection.
As well as these significant celebrations during Dhul Hijjah, the month holds the holy Hajj pilgrimage where believers from every corner of the Earth come together. This is a very important duty for Muslims as it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and must be completed at least once in their lifetimes. Eid ul-Adha begins after the Hajj, meaning the celebration can also mark the end of the spiritual journey for those who have completed it.
With Eid around the corner, it’s essential to understand the importance of Eid ul-Adha and what occurs within it to be ready for the religious event. So, whether you’re new to Islam, struggling to find support from a local Iman, or are a friend of the ummah, UKIM is here to assist you.
A common question for many people is “When is Eid ul-Adha in 2025?”. Because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, it means that the date varies every year in the Gregorian calendar. Eid ul-Adha this year is expected to begin on June 6, depending on the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah. To clarify this date, it is ideal to check with your local mosque because it can be subject to change.
It can be useful to know when Eid ul-Adha is based off where it falls within the month of Dhul Hijjah. Eid begins on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and is celebrated across four days. The first day is the main celebration and then three additional days are observed for celebrations afterwards. These three days are known as the days of tashreeq where Qurbani sacrifices are continued up until the sun sets on the fourth day of Eid- the last of the additional days which continues Eid on the 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
The importance of Eid ul-Adha lies in the history of the ritual. Muslims from all over the world commemorate the history of Qurbani and the unparalleled obedience and faith of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Qurbani all began with Ibrahim (AS) as he was willing to make the hardest sacrifice in the name of Allah (SWT). The Prophet (AS) was commanded by Allah (SWT) to sacrifice the one thing he loved most- his son, Ismail (AS). Ibrahim had multiple dreams where God spoke to him and told him that once his son reached the age of puberty, he must be sacrificed. These dreams came to him more often the closer Ismail (AS) got to the age of puberty. Ibrahim (AS) remained steadfast in this command and knew in his heart that he had to do this to remain obedient to Allah (SWT).
Once the time of the sacrifice came, Ibrahim (AS) shared with his son what he had been commanded to do. Ismail (AS) understood this duty and also remained devoted to the Lord. They both went to Mount Arafat to commence the sacrifice and Ibrahim (AS) tied his son with a rope, keeping up his duty to Allah (SWT). Both men knew that this sacrifice needed to be carried out, as even though their love for each other was strong, their love for God was much stronger. Ibrahim (AS) held his knife to his son’s neck when Allah (SWT) put a stop to the sacrifice and revealed that it had been a test of love and devotion to Him. A white horned ram stood next to Ibrahim (AS) to reward the unwavering commitment and love of both men. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) slaughtered the ram in Ismail’s place for Allah (SWT) instead.
This remarkable act of devotion to Allah (SWT) inspires Muslims across the globe to emulate this in their own lives. It encourages believers to make sacrifices for Allah (SWT) and commit to Him in everything they do. Qurbani gives Muslims the chance to show the same loyalty and obedience to their faith and God as Ibrahim (AS). The story highlights to believers how important it is to practice taqwa (consciousness of God) and shows them that they need to perform acts and rituals with awareness of Allah (SWT). The importance of Qurbani is highlighted in the following hadith:
“That they may witness [i.e. attend] benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known [i.e. specific] days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.” [Surah Al Hajj, Ayat 28]
So, what does Eid ul-Adha celebrate? This Eid celebrates the great sacrifice the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was willing to make and his devotion to God. It is also a time to build a spiritual connection with Allah (SWT) and celebrate the religion of Islam with family, friends and the local ummah (community). Eid ul-Adha strengthens faith and the ummah. The ritual of Qurbani aids with this because believers can follow the example of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and help those in desperate need.
Qurbani is normally performed by Muslims themselves. The meat from the animal is then divided into three parts: one for them and their family, one for extended family and friends, and one for the needy. But this isn’t the case in most areas, such as the UK. These areas have strict regulations around slaughtering animals. These rules make it impossible for Muslims to perform Qurbani. Charities, like UK Islamic Mission, step in to help believers in these areas fulfil their duty with Qurbani donations. Muslims in the UK can donate a share or a whole animal, which will be slaughtered by us and distributed to those most in need. We follow Islamic guidelines for the sacrifice and allow you to meet the requirement in time across the days of Eid.
Another reason why the celebration of Eid ul-Adha occurs is that it is a time for Muslims to come together with friends, family and the ummah. It’s a brilliant opportunity to strengthen relationships with loved ones and the local community.
Many wonder how is Eid ul-Adha celebrated? There are many Islamic traditions that are continued during the celebration, as well as personal preferences to how a believer likes to celebrate Eid. However, many Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha across the four days in a similar way.
Believers first come together for the congregational prayer on the morning of the first day of Eid. These typically happen in mosques or open fields. It is tradition for Muslims to recite the Takbir, have a shower, and wear their finest clothes before this prayer. These are Sunnah, which means that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did these actions himself. When the prayer finishes, Qurbani begins and then celebrations with loved ones and the ummah begin.
Families cook tasty traditional dishes for everyone to sit together and enjoy. These can be dishes like samosas, kebabs and biriyani. Each family typically travels around across the days of Eid to visit different family members and friend’s homes to eat together and have fun, building strong bonds with each other. Sweet treats are handed out, such as baklava, and sweets are given to little ones as part of the celebration.
Gifts and money, known as Eidi, are given to children and other family members as a way to celebrate one another and spread joy. Gifts can typically be new clothes or something thoughtful to express love for each other.
Eid ul-Adha is all about helping those who are in vulnerable situations and face extreme poverty and hardship daily. It is a time to spread the joy of Eid to everybody around the world. So, why not help others celebrate Eid ul-Adha this year? Donate Qurbani to UK Islamic Mission to help those in need across the globe. We provide nutritious meals that allow the less fortunate to gain sustenance from meat, which many go without throughout the year. You can help us help others this Eid and provide a lifeline with a hearty meal.
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