Eid al-Adha 2021: The Festival of Sacrifice

Eid al-Adha is one of the most important Islamic holidays that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. Also known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ or ‘Bakra Eid’, it is observed in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, Eid al-Adha falls on July 21st and will be celebrated for three to four days, depending on the country.

The celebration of Eid al-Adha is based on the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as an act of obedience to God. However, just as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, God intervened and replaced Ismail with a ram. This symbolizes trust and faith in God’s plan and is the reason why Muslims around the world sacrifice an animal on this day.

During Eid al-Adha, Muslims dress up in their finest clothes and attend morning prayers in mosques or open areas. They also exchange greetings, gifts and sweets with family and friends, and enjoy a delicious feast that includes meat from the sacrificed animal. This meat is then divided into three parts – one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for the less fortunate.

Eid al-Adha is not only a time of feasting and prayers, but also a time for forgiveness, compassion, and charity. Muslims are encouraged to visit the poor and needy, and to share their blessings with those less fortunate. This is a significant part of the celebration as it promotes empathy and unity within the community.

Apart from the traditional ritual of animal sacrifice, there are a few other customs and traditions that are associated with Eid al-Adha. Let’s take a look at some of them below:

The Eid al-Adha Prayers

The Eid al-Adha prayers are a crucial part of the celebrations. It consists of two units of prayer known as rakats, which are performed in congregation in mosques or open areas. The prayers are recited in Arabic and include specific verses from the Quran. The first rakat consists of seven takbirs (prayerful utterances) including the opening takbir, and in the second rakat, there will be five takbirs including the starting takbir. After the prayers, Muslims also listen to a sermon (khutba) by the imam, which provides guidance and inspiration for the community.

Eid al-Adha Greetings and Wishes

Eid al-Adha is a time of celebration and reunion with family and friends. People exchange greetings and wishes, and say ‘Eid Mubarak’, which translates to ‘Blessed Eid’ in English. They also hug each other and say ‘Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum’, which means ‘May God accept from us and from you’ as a sign of forgiveness and unity. During the pandemic, many people have also been sending virtual Eid greetings to loved ones, spreading joy and love despite being physically apart.

The Sacrifice (Qurbani)

The sacrificing of an animal, also known as Qurbani, is a significant part of Eid al-Adha. Typically, a goat, sheep, cow, or camel is sacrificed depending on the region and the availability of the animal. The animal must be healthy and of a certain age, and the meat is then distributed among family, friends, and the less fortunate. This act of sacrifice symbolizes Prophet Ibrahim’s submission to God’s will and reminds Muslims to be grateful for the blessings in their lives.

Charity (Sadaqah)

Charity is an essential part of Eid al-Adha and is highly encouraged in Islam. Muslims are urged to donate a portion of their wealth to the less fortunate as an act of gratitude and compassion during this holy festival. This is seen as a way to purify one’s wealth and to open doors for blessings in the coming year. Many organizations and individuals also organize fundraisers and charity drives to help the needy and promote the spirit of giving during Eid al-Adha.

A Time for Reunion and Celebration

Eid al-Adha is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the blessings in their lives. People dress up in their finest clothes, decorate their homes, and prepare a delicious feast to enjoy with their loved ones. The day is filled with laughter, joy, and a sense of gratitude for all the blessings and sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim and his family. The celebrations continue for three to four days and are marked by visiting relatives, enjoying traditional dishes, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

The celebration of Eid al-Adha commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.

This year, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on July 21st and will last for three to four days.

Eid al-Adha is also known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ or ‘Bakra Eid’.

Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha with prayers, feasts, and acts of charity.

The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts – one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for the less fortunate.

Eid al-Adha is a time for forgiveness, compassion, and unity within the Muslim community.

The Eid al-Adha prayers consist of two units of prayer known as rakats and are performed in congregation.

After the prayers, Muslims listen to a sermon (khutba) by the imam, which provides guidance and inspiration for the community.

Eid al-Adha is also a time for exchanging greetings and wishes with loved ones, and saying ‘Eid Mubarak’ and ‘Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum’.

The act of sacrificing an animal, or Qurbani, symbolizes Prophet Ibrahim’s submission to God’s will.

Charity, or sadaqah, is highly encouraged during Eid al-Adha and is seen as a way to purify one’s wealth and open doors for blessings in the coming year.

Eid al-Adha is a time for family, friends, and community coming together to celebrate and give thanks for all the blessings in their lives.

The celebrations continue for three to four days and are marked by visits to relatives, enjoying traditional dishes, and spending quality time with loved ones.

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