Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,”
signifies the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim.
According to the Quran Ibrahim and his wife Hagar were blessed with a son after many years of praying named Ismail. In the Quran, Ibrahim has a dream in which Allah commands him to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as a sign of obedience to God. It is one of the most important holidays of Islam.
According to the tradition, it celebrates the sacrifice that Abraham was willing to make of his own son Ishmael when he was commanded to show his commitment to Allah. At Allah’s direction, According to Islamic teaching, God replaced Ishmael with a sheep before the event could take place. After Allah was convinced that Abraham would indeed sacrifice Ishmael to prove his faith.
On this day, Muslims celebrate in several ways. A large feast is the high point of the day. The name of the holiday, Eid Al-Adha, means “The Feast of the Sacrifice.” An animal is sacrificed, in much the same way that Abraham sacrificed a lamb. One-third of the meat is given to the poor, and the rest goes to the holiday feast. Children get gifts to commemorate the holiday, and special prayers are said throughout the day.
Eid Al-Adha takes place on the 10th and last day of the Hajj, the celebration of holy pilgrimage to Mecca, in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. (In 2021, this is July 20 on Western calendars.) Muslims all over the world are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Mecca and celebrate.
Traditionally, the day is spent celebrating with family, friends and loved ones, often wearing new or best attire and giving gifts.
