A Simple Guide to Eid al-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice
1. Meaning of Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha means the "Festival of Sacrifice." It commemorates the complete trust of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) in Allah. It marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
2. Purpose of Celebration (Quran & Hadith)
The purpose is to show gratitude to Allah and remember His command for sacrifice. It is an act of worship and obedience.
- Quran (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:37): “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but your piety (Taqwa) reaches Him.”
- Hadith (Bukhari, 5558; Muslim, 1967): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The son of Adam does no deed on the day of sacrifice more pleasing to Allah than shedding blood (of an animal).”
3. Etiquette of the Festival
From the day of Eid until the fourth day of Tashreeq (the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah):
- Do not cut hair or nails for the one offering Qurbani (Muslim, 1977).
- Perform Ghusl (full bath) and wear your best clothes (Al-Muwatta, 428).
- Recite the Takbir loudly going to the prayer: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd.”
- Go to the Eid prayer by one route and return by another (Bukhari, 986).
4. Rules for Qurbani (Sacrifice) from Quran & Hadith
- Who must offer? A sane, adult Muslim who possesses the Nisab (minimum wealth for Zakat) (Hadith – Tirmidhi, 1506).
- Animal age: Sheep/goat at least 1 year old, cow 2 years, camel 5 years (Muslim, 1963).
- Defects: No blind, sick, lame, or extremely thin animal (Tirmidhi, 1497).
- Time: After Eid prayer until sunset of the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah (Bukhari, 5545).
- Distribution: Eat one third, gift one third, give one third to the poor (Ibn Majah, 3126).
5. Remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihis Salam)
Ibrahim saw in a dream that he was sacrificing his son Ismail. This was a command from Allah. When both father and son submitted, Allah replaced Ismail with a great ram. Allah says:
- Quran (Surah As-Saffat, 37:102-107): “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I sacrifice you... He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded...’ Then We called him, ‘You have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.’”
6. Importance of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah & Good Deeds
These ten days (starting from the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah until Eid) are the best days of the year.
- Hadith (Bukhari, 969): The Prophet said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The Companions asked, “Not even Jihad?” He said, “Not even Jihad, except a man who goes out with his life and wealth and returns with nothing.”
Good deeds include: extra prayer, charity, fasting, Dhikr (remembrance), and reciting Quran.
7. Fasting on the Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah)
The Day of Arafah is the day before Eid. Fasting on this day is highly recommended for non-pilgrims.
- Hadith (Muslim, 1162): The Prophet said: “Fasting on the day of Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.”
8. Rules for Eid Day: Lecture (Khutbah), Salat (Prayer), Qurbani, Eating
- No Sunnah prayer before or after Eid prayer (Bukhari, 964).
- Eid prayer is two Rak’ah with 7 extra Takbirs in the first Rak’ah (after reciting the opening supplication) and 5 extra Takbirs in the second Rak’ah (before reciting Surahs) (Abu Dawood, 1153, authentic).
- Khutbah (sermon) comes after the prayer, unlike Jumu’ah (Bukhari, 957).
- Eating before Eid prayer: On Eid al-Adha, it is Sunnah to eat nothing until after the prayer, then eat from your sacrifice. However, if you are not sacrificing, you may eat before (Tirmidhi, 542).
- Qurbani after Salat: The Prophet said: “Whoever offers the prayer before the sacrifice has only offered for himself, but whoever offers the sacrifice after the prayer has completed his ritual” (Bukhari, 5556).
May Allah accept our worship, sacrifices, and good deeds. Ameen.