Image Credit: Gunawan Kartapranata under Wikipedia Creative Commons
Eid al-Adha is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated each year. It falls on the 10th day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul-Hijjah. It is part of a four-day annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) that is known as “Hajj”.
Hajj is the fifth of five pillars of Islam, and it is compulsory upon all Muslims who are physically and financially able. Hajj takes place over four days, during which time pilgrims participate in a sequence of rituals that include (but are not limited to) circling the Kaaba, traveling to Mecca's neighboring cities, and cutting or trimming one's hair. It begins on the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah and goes on until the 12th or 13th day.
Eid al-Adha, also known as “the Festival of Sacrifice” gets its name from the ritual of slaughtering an animal in the name of God (again, only prescribed upon those who are able to afford it). Muslims usually sacrifice a cow, sheep, or camel. Sometimes, one cow or camel is shared amongst up to seven people, so more people will be able to afford it. This meat is then distributed among friends and relatives, but most importantly, a large portion of it is given to the poor.
Image Credit: Konevi on Pexels
As mentioned, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the Islamic month, Dhul-Hijjah. The Islamic months are based on a lunar calendar, and the sighting of a new moon signals the beginning of each month. Therefore, Eid is also based on the sighting of the moon.
This is why some places around the world celebrate Eid on a different day than others. Even some groups of Muslims within the same region celebrate it according to their beliefs (sighting of the moon in their area vs. accepting the sighting of the moon in another country, usually Saudi Arabia).
Eid al-Adha 2024 is to be celebrated on either Sunday, the 16th of June, 2024 OR Monday, the 17th of June, 2024. It will begin after sunset on the previous day and end at sunset on that day.
Image Credit: Nurudin Jauhari under Wikipedia Creative Commons
The story behind some of the customs of Hajj goes back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who non-Muslims might know as Abraham. When he was ordered to leave his wife and infant son in the dry deserts of Mecca, they grew desperate for water. His wife, Hajara (RA) ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for it to quench the thirst of her crying baby. Suddenly, a spring of water started flowing at the child's feet; this water known as 'Zam Zam' hasn't stopped flowing since. Muslims recreate the actions of Hajara (alai) by running between the two hills 7 times during Hajj and Umrah in a ritual called 'Sa'ee'.
The sacrifice of an animal is also a commemoration of an incident that occurred with Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail (AS). When Allah (SWT) commanded the Prophet to sacrifice his son, they were both prepared to follow their creator's wishes, even though their hearts were heavy. But in the last minute, Allah (SWT) revealed that it had been a test and replaced Ismail (AS) with a sheep, which they then slaughtered.
Hajj also involves the stoning of the devil, in which pilgrims throw stones at three pillars which mark the place where Satan stood. It symbolizes Ibrahim (AS) throwing stones at Satan when he tried to deter him from carrying out Allah's command.
Image Credit: Afif Kusuma on Pexels
While those who are going through the holy pilgrimage of Hajj do not “celebrate” Eid, Muslims all around the world do. Here are the traditions and practices that take place during Eid:
