

The words أضحى ( aḍḥā) and قربان ( qurbān) are synonymous in meaning 'sacrifice' (animal sacrifice), 'offering' or 'oblation'. Arthur Jeffery contests this etymology, and believes the term to have been borrowed into Arabic from Syriac, or less likely Targumic Aramaic. It itself is a triliteral root عيد ( ʕ-y-d) with associated root meanings of "to go back, to rescind, to accrue, to be accustomed, habits, to repeat, to be experienced appointed time or place, anniversary, feast day". The Arabic word عيد ( ʿīd) means 'festival', 'celebration', 'feast day', or 'holiday'. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year, shifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.Įid al-Adha is pronounced Eid al-Azha and Eidul Azha, primarily in Iran and influenced by the Persian language like the Indian subcontinent / ˌ iː d əl ˈ ɑː d ə, - ˈ ɑː d h ɑː/ EED əl AH-də, - AHD-hah Arabic: عيد الأضحى, romanized: ʿĪd al-ʾAḍḥā, IPA. In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja and lasts for four days. The day is also sometimes called the Greater Eid (or Bari Eid). Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed. 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. In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually sacrificed.

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. It honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, either Isaac or Ismail, as an act of obedience to God's command. June 29 – July 2 (United Kingdom, Brunei, Singapore, Japan, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia) Įid al-Adha ( Arabic: عيد الأضحى ʿĪd al-ʾAḍḥā, "Feast of the Sacrifice") or the Feast of Sacrifice is the second and the largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). June 28 – June 30 (Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan)

As it comes after a month of fasting, sweet dishes and foods are often prepared and consumed during the celebration.Įid prayers, animal slaughter, charity, social gatherings, festive meals, gift-giving During the Eid al-Fitr celebration, Muslims greet each other by saying 'Eid Mubarak', which is Arabic for "Blessed Eid".
