Eid al-Adha is one of the two religious festivals that Muslims celebrate universally. Also known as Eid al Kabir, Greater Eid (Bari Eid in Urdu), the literal translation of the Arabic Eid al-Adha is Feast of Sacrifice, as the occasion is celebrated with the sacrifice of halal livestock such as a sheep, goat, cow, etc.

For curious learners, today’s article explores what this religious festival symbolizes, its significance, and how, like Eid al-Fitr, it brings the Muslim community together irrespective of their local or native cultures. 

What is Eid al-Adha? 

Just as Eid al-Fitr marks the end of 30 days of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah. It is observed on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Since it follows the lunar calendar, like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha does not fall on the same day of the Gregorian calendar each year. It is around 10 days earlier. 

It’s called the Feast of Sacrifice because it commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s exemplary surrender to the Lord. The occasion is also tied to the rebuilding of the Kaaba, the proclamation of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, and the command to glorify the name of the Lord, through appointed days, by sacrificing cattle. Ibrahim (Abraham) was entrusted with these duties after his greatest trial, wherein he proved how completely he had surrendered his will to the Lord’s command. So, when Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, they not only remember him for submitting his will to that of the Lord but honor the Prophet as the one chosen to rebuild the Kaaba and lay the foundation for the rituals of Hajj. It’s an occasion that reminds Muslims of a great legacy of forbearance and inspires them to voluntary surrender to the Lord’s will in the context of their individual lives. 

The sacrificial ritual is not obligatory for all Muslims. Scholars differ on the subject to an extent. The dominant view is that people of wealth, upon whom Zakah is an obligation, must also perform the sacrifice of cattle on Eid al-Adha. Those who visit Makkah for the pilgrimage must also do so. The point is, if your wealth exceeds your needs, you must perform the sacrifice and share the feast with the unprivileged in the community.

Eid al-Kabir: The story behind the reverent celebration

According to the Islamic tradition, Prophet Ibrahim wished for a righteous son, and the Lord Creator blessed him with a patient boy. When the boy reached puberty, Prophet Ibrahim dreamed of sacrificing him. Exegetes expound upon the Quranic mention of this story with minor differences in detail, but all agree that the command reached the Prophet through a dream. 

According to Tabari, the 9th-century historian and exegete, the Prophet was informed of the trial to come when he was given the good news of the birth of Ismail. And when that time came, Ibrahim was reminded of this in a dream. So, he took the boy, saying they were going to make a sacrifice. When the young boy inquired where their sacrifice was, Ibrahim revealed he had been commanded to sacrifice his son. However, he found the young boy forbearing and compliant. The father and son proceeded to fulfill the command of the Lord, not without tears. Ibrahim first drew the knife across the boy’s throat, but it did not cut. The Lord placed protection upon his throat. Ibrahim then laid him down on his forehead, ready to draw the knife at the back of his head. In that moment, the Prophet was informed “he had already fulfilled his vision”, and  Ismail was replaced with a ram for sacrifice. 

Tabari adds further detail to the above with this take on the subject: 

Iblis (Satan) appeared three times (impersonated as a man) during this event. First, when he met Ibrahim on his way to make the sacrifice, and tried to tell the Prophet that the command to sacrifice his son was from Satan. When Ibrahim debunked his deception, he went to his son and told him his father was about to sacrifice him as commanded by the Lord. To his dismay, the young boy stood unfaltering in his resolve to fulfil the Lord’s word. Then Iblis attempted the same with the boy’s mother and informed her of what Ibrahim had set off to do. However, his deception fell on its face yet again. Ibrahim’s wife replied no differently than her son when she found out Ibrahim was doing so at the command of the Lord.  

The symbolism hidden in the ritual of ‘stoning the Jamarat’, which is incumbent upon all pilgrims on the day of Eid al-Adha, points to the veracity of the details cited above. The Jamarat (originally stone pillars) are a representation of the Devil’s temptation. Iblis made three attempts and was rebuked each time. According to al-Azraqi, a 9th-century Islamic historian, the angel Jibrayil (Gabriel) instructed Ibrahim to pelt Iblis when he appeared. Each time, the Prophet threw seven little stones toward Iblis until he withdrew.  

The pilgrimage in Makkah is thus a commemoration of the steadfast declaration of faith and voluntary submission to the Lord’s word by Prophet Ibrahim and his family. And it finds a befitting end in the ritual of sacrifice performed on Eid al-Adha. 

Here, it is pertinent to mention that while Tabari’s accounts of the event are rich in detail, he did fall for the less accepted view inspired by the traditions of the People of the Book when he concluded the son to be sacrificed was not Ismail but rather Ishaq. Interestingly, his commentary presents opposing opinions on the matter, including the strongest and most categorical from two companions of the Prophet Mohammad – Ibn Abbas and Abdullah ibn Umar. And he also mentions a report from Abdullah Ibn Said al-Sabihy. All are in favor of Ismail, the first son of Prophet Ibrahim, yet Tabari concludes otherwise.

How is Eid al-Adha celebrated?

The celebrations for Eid al-Adha are just as grand as the festival itself. People usually prepare in advance and bring home their sacrificial animals, healthy livestock or cattle, weeks before Eid day. This is to develop an emotional bond with the sacrificial animal – a humble and modest attempt to relive the experience of parting from a loved one. Many spend the night before Eid in prayer and worship. Like Eid al-Fitr, women apply henna, decorate homes, and get things ready for Eid day. 

Eid day starts with a congregational prayer offered after sunrise. Muslims bathe and dress in new clothes for the occasion. The next step is to sacrifice the animal (also known as udhiyah or qurbani). The animal is sacrificed in line with the prescribed Zabiha Halal method, and the meat is prepared and divided into three equal portions – one portion for the household, the second for family and friends, and the third for the poor and needy. 

The festival of Eid al-Adha lasts three days, and the ritual of sacrifice can be performed on any day, but it is recommended to do it as soon as possible. As we said earlier, like Zakah, the ritual sacrifice is obligatory only for those who can afford it (i.e., possess accumulated wealth worth at least 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver). When the affluent in the society spend on the sacrifice, it feeds the struggling households in the community that do not get to enjoy meat all year round.

For Muslims in the West, the occasion is a rather detached experience since conducting the ritual sacrifice must follow the local structures and standards. It’s common practice to make donations to Islamic charity organizations for the purpose, while some people coordinate the sacrifice with their local halal butchers or farms. But that does not imply you cannot share a feast on Eid day with family and friends. This year, bring home a variety of ready-to-eat frozen kebabs and curries from Kaiser and Colonel Kababz, and enjoy a convenient taste of the real flavors.

Eid al-Kabir delicacies from around the world

The spirit of the festival is all about submission to the Lord’s command and sharing with the unprivileged in the community. However, it is impossible to talk about Eid al-Adha without mentioning the delicious foods that are around on the occasion. The three-day-long festivity is punctuated with plenty of grand feasts. All around the globe, it’s a tradition to visit each other, cook and enjoy meat-heavy dishes, and share with neighbors, family, and friends. 

Here is a look at some of the most popular Eid al-Adha foods from around the world:

• South Asia: It can’t be Eid in the Indian subcontinent without a good pot of Biryani. The go-to choice on Eid is usually a beef or mutton biryani with alternating layers of super tender meat in a rich sauce and fluffy long-grain rice. In North India and Pakistan, a slow-cooked meat stew called Nihari is also a very popular option during Eid celebrations, along with kebabs and other barbecue favorites such as tandoori chicken tikka. 
• Afghanistan: Kabuli pulao, with its slow-cooked meat served over a bed of seasoned rice with nuts and raisins, is an Eid favorite in Afghanistan. Other popular Eid al-Adha foods include kebab, kofta, and roasted lamb. 
• Persia: No Eid is complete for Persians without juicy kebabs and hearty meat stews. And Koobideh Kabab tops the charts. Made from a mixture of ground lamb, onions, and spices, and grilled over an open flame, these kebabs are an all-time Eid hit. Rice-based meaty dishes are also a favorite choice for Eid al-Adha. 
• Central Asia: Like the Persians, the people of Central Asia enjoy the festivity with kebabs, meaty stews, and pilaf made from rice, meat, and vegetables seasoned with spices. The Uzbeks also enjoy Manti on the occasion – large dumplings filled with a seasoned mixture of meat and onions. 
• The Levant: Maqluba is a special dish for the occasion in this region (Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq). It is a pilaf with layers of vegetables, meat, and rice, and sometimes even nuts. It is traditionally flipped upside down to serve, hence the name, which translates to “upside down”. Fatteh, a layered dish made from breadcrumbs, rice, and meat, is another favorite in the region, equally popular in Egypt. 
• Turkey: Eid in Turkey is all about different kebab varieties from around the country. Doner, lamb Kofta kebab, Adana, and Shish are some of the most widely enjoyed ones. Pilaf (rice and meat-based dishes) and roasted lamb are also a common sight on the occasion. 

Concluding words…

Eid al-Adha is a celebration at the heart of which sits the spirit of self-sacrifice and voluntary submission to the will of the Lord Creator. Like Eid al-Fitr, the occasion allows Muslims to strengthen their bond with family and friends over feasts and share the joy of the occasion with the less fortunate in the community. A deeper understanding of what this Eid signifies helps us understand that this celebration must be marked with a sense of honor and reverence, as is its due.