Eid al-Adha

This article is about the Islamic holiday. For the language, see Azha language.

Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى ʿĪd al-ʾAḍḥā [ˈʕiːd alˈʔadˤħaː], "Feast of the Sacrifice") or the Feast of Sacrifice is the second of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). In Islamic custom, it honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as an act of obedience to God's command. However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, and because of his willingness to do so, God provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son's place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals such lambs, etc. are sacrificed. The meat of the sacrificed animal is divided into three portions: one part of the meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, one portion is for friends and relatives, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed. The day is also sometimes called the Greater Eid (or Eid Al-Kabeer).

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja and lasts for four days. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year, shifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.