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'īd al-adhā
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى) is one of the two most important Islamic holidays, celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The festival occurs approximately 70 days after Eid al-Fitr and is marked by prayers, animal sacrifices, family gatherings, and the exchange of gifts and greetings.
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نحتفل بعيد الأضحى مع العائلة والأصدقاء.
Naḥtafilu bi-'īd al-adhā ma'a al-'āila wa-al-'aṣdiqā'.
We celebrate Eid al-Adha with family and friends.
عيد الأضحى يصادف هذا العام في شهر يونيو.
'Īd al-adhā yuṣādifu hādhā al-'ām fī shahri yūniyū.
Eid al-Adha falls this year in the month of June.
في عيد الأضحى، يضحي المسلمون بالأضاحي.
Fī 'īd al-adhā, yaḍḥī al-muslimūn bi-al-aḍāḥī.
During Eid al-Adha, Muslims perform the ritual sacrifice.
كل عام وأنتم بألف خير في عيد الأضحى.
Kull 'ām wa-antum bi-alf khair fī 'īd al-adhā.
May you have a blessed Eid al-Adha every year.
نتطلع إلى عيد الأضحى كل سنة.
Nataṭallau ilā 'īd al-adhā kull sanah.
We look forward to Eid al-Adha every year.
Eid al-Adha holds profound religious significance in Islamic tradition, commemorating Prophet Abraham's faith and obedience to God. It is observed during the Hajj pilgrimage season in Mecca and is celebrated with public holidays in most Muslim-majority countries. The festival emphasizes community, charity, and the sharing of meat from sacrificed animals with family, friends, and those in need, making it a time of generosity and social bonding.
When referring to this holiday, 'عيد الأضحى' (with the definite article 'al-') is most common in formal contexts, though you may also hear 'عيد الأضحية'. Remember that this is one of two major Islamic holidays, distinct from Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan. When greeting someone during this festival, you can say 'كل عام وأنتم بألف خير' (May you have a blessed year).
عيد الأضحى (Eid al-Adha) is one of the most important religious festivals in Islam, celebrated by Muslims around the world. The term breaks down into two parts: 'عيد' (eid), meaning "festival" or "celebration," and 'الأضحى' (al-adhā), which refers to "the sacrifice" or "the greater festival." This holiday is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice or the Feast of the Sacrifice, and it holds deep religious and cultural significance in Islamic tradition.
Eid al-Adha commemorates the story of Prophet Abraham (إبراهيم - Ibrahim), one of the most revered figures in Islamic faith. According to Islamic tradition, God tested Abraham's faith by commanding him to sacrifice his beloved son. Abraham's unwavering obedience and willingness to submit to God's will demonstrated absolute faith, and God ultimately replaced his son with a ram as the sacrifice. This act of faith and submission is the central theme of Eid al-Adha celebrations.
The festival coincides with the Islamic pilgrimage season (Hajj), which takes place in the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar (Dhu al-Hijjah). For this reason, Eid al-Adha is sometimes referred to as 'عيد الحج' (Eid al-Hajj) or the Festival of Pilgrimage. Millions of Muslims from around the globe gather in Mecca during this time to perform the Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Celebrations of Eid al-Adha typically begin with a special prayer at dawn or early morning, known as 'صلاة العيد' (Salat al-Eid). Muslims dress in new or best clothing, gather in mosques or prayer grounds, and participate in communal prayers and sermons. Throughout the day, the phrase 'الله أكبر' (Allahu Akbar, "God is Greatest") is repeated in what is called 'التكبير' (Takbir).
The most distinctive aspect of Eid al-Adha is the practice of 'الأضحية' (al-adhiya), the ritual sacrifice of animals—typically sheep, goats, cows, or buffalo. This sacrifice serves multiple purposes: it honors Abraham's willingness to obey God, it provides meat to be distributed among family, friends, and those in need, and it reinforces the Islamic principle of charity and community support. The meat is traditionally divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar, making its date in the Gregorian calendar shift each year by approximately 10-11 days earlier. The exact date depends on the sighting of the new moon, which may vary slightly between different Muslim communities and countries.
Beyond its religious importance, Eid al-Adha is a time of social bonding, family reunion, and community celebration. In Muslim-majority countries, it is typically observed as a public holiday, with families gathering together to share meals, exchange gifts, and strengthen relationships. Children receive gifts and money (known as 'عيدية' - eidieh), similar to other festive occasions.
The festival also emphasizes values central to Islam: obedience to God, faith, sacrifice, charity, and social responsibility. By distributing sacrificial meat to those in need, Muslims are reminded of their obligation to help others and contribute to the welfare of their community.
Understanding Eid al-Adha requires familiarity with related Arabic terms:
While Muslims celebrate two major festivals—Eid al-Adha and 'عيد الفطر' (Eid al-Fitr)—these holidays have different religious meanings and practices. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, while Eid al-Adha commemorates Abraham's sacrifice and is linked to the Hajj pilgrimage.
During Eid al-Adha, Muslims greet each other with phrases such as:
Eid al-Adha represents one of the most important occasions in the Islamic calendar. Understanding this festival, its meaning, and its cultural practices is essential for anyone learning about Islamic traditions and Arabic language. The celebration reinforces fundamental Islamic values and brings communities together in observance of faith, charity, and social responsibility.