Following the intense spiritual cleansing, fasting, and heartfelt supplications of the Day of Arafah, the global Muslim community awakens on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah to a radiant morning of celebration: Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى – The Festival of Sacrifice).
Known in classical Islamic literature as Yawm al-Nahr (يوم النحر – The Day of Sacrifice), this day is not merely a social holiday. In the divine scales, it is considered the most magnificent single day in the sight of Allah ﷻ.
The Greatest Day in the Sight of Allah ﷻ
In a profound Hadith recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly stated the supreme rank of Eid day:
“The greatest day in the sight of Allah is the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr), and then the Day of Resting (Yawm al-Qarr – the 11th of Dhul-Hijjah).”
While the Day of Arafah is the peak of divine mercy and forgiveness, Eid al-Adha is the peak of gratitude, jubilation, and physical demonstration of servitude through sacrificial offerings.
Living the Legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
At the absolute core of Eid al-Adha is the breathtaking narrative of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his beloved son, Ismail (peace be upon him). After decades of longing for a child, Ibrahim was blessed with Ismail in his old age. Yet, in a monumental test of faith, Allah commanded Ibrahim in a dream to sacrifice his only son.
When Ibrahim shared the vision with his young son, Ismail’s response echoed through eternity with flawless submission: “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.” (Surah As-Saffat, 37:102).
As Ibrahim laid his son down to fulfill the divine command, Allah ﷻ called out to him, declaring that he had passed the ultimate trial of the heart. Allah miraculously replaced Ismail with a magnificent ram from Paradise:
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations: Peace be upon Ibrahim.”
— (Surah As-Saffat, 37:107-109)
When we perform the Udhiyah (Qurbani) on Eid day, we are not merely participating in a cultural tradition. We are reenacting the timeless surrender of Prophet Ibrahim, demonstrating that our love for Allah ﷻ supersedes all worldly attachments.
The True Essence of Udhiyah (Qurbani)
A common misunderstanding among those unfamiliar with Islamic traditions is that the physical flesh or blood of the sacrificed animal is somehow pleasing to God. The Holy Quran utterly dispels this notion with a beautifully clear principle:
“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety (Taqwa) from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.”
— (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:37)
What reaches Allah is the sincerity, piety, and devotion in your heart as you spend your wealth to fulfill His command and feed His creation.
Key Rulings and Etiquettes of Udhiyah
- The Rule of Abstention for the Sacrificer: It is a highly emphasized Sunnah (and mandatory according to some scholars) for the head of the household offering the sacrifice to refrain from cutting their hair or nails from the Maghrib of the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah until their animal is sacrificed on Eid day.
- Timing of the Sacrifice: The sacrifice must occur strictly after the Eid prayer. Any animal slaughtered before the Eid prayer is considered standard edible meat, not an Udhiyah.
- The Sunnah Division of Meat: It is recommended to divide the sacrificial meat into three equal parts: one-third for your immediate family to enjoy, one-third as gifts for relatives, friends, and neighbors, and one-third distributed as charity to the poor and needy.
Celebrating Eid with Sunnah Practices
To experience the full spiritual radiance of Eid al-Adha, implement these beautiful Sunnah habits on Eid morning:
- Ghusl (Spiritual Bath): Take a purifying bath before heading out to the Eid prayer gathering.
- Wearing Your Best Garments: Dress in clean, beautiful clothes, and apply pleasant perfume (for men) to honor the festival.
- Delaying Eating Until After the Prayer: Unlike Eid al-Fitr, where it is Sunnah to eat an odd number of dates before leaving for prayer, on Eid al-Adha it is Sunnah to abstain from eating until you return from the Eid prayer — ideally breaking your fast with the cooked liver or meat of your sacrificial animal.
- Reciting Takbeer on the Way: Walk to the Eid prayer ground reciting the Takbeer aloud with joy and vigor.
- Taking Different Routes: Walk to the prayer gathering using one route and return home using a completely different route, allowing different parcels of earth and different angels to witness your steps of worship.
The Days of Tashreeq: Days of Joy and Dhikr
Following Eid day are the three Days of Tashreeq (أيام التشريق – 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah). In Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ described these days with a wonderful summary:
“The days of Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.”
During these three days, Muslims continue to recite the Restricted Takbeer (Takbeer Muqayyad) after every obligatory prayer. Fasting during the Days of Tashreeq is strictly forbidden, as Allah ﷻ wants His servants to feast, celebrate with family, and express gratitude for His abundant blessings.
Maintaining the Spiritual Momentum
As the sacred season of Dhul-Hijjah draws to a close, the true test of our spiritual growth begins. Just as the end of Ramadan should not mean the abandonment of night prayers and Quran reading, the conclusion of Dhul-Hijjah should not mark an end to our daily Dhikr, charity, and pursuit of Islamic knowledge.
One of the most effective ways to preserve the spiritual momentum gained during these blessed days is to commit to a structured path of Quranic learning. At Learn Quran the Right Way, expert, certified tutors provide personalized online courses in Quranic reading, memorization, and Tajweed for students of all ages and proficiency levels.
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