Id-ul-Adha: Festival of Sacrifice

Year 11 — Unit 26: Islam Practices Part 2

What You'll Learn

To understand the religious and cultural significance of Id-ul-Adha in Islam

Recall: Jihad Concepts

Time to recall what you learned last lesson
5:00

You have 5 minutes to recall key concepts about jihad and Islamic ethics.

Define jihad in Islamic terms.

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Struggle or striving in the way of Allah — both spiritual and physical defence.

What is Greater Jihad an example of?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Overcoming greed, anger, pride, temptation, and developing moral character.

What is Lesser Jihad?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Armed defence of Islam and Muslims against aggression and persecution.

Name the main conditions for Just War in Islam.

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Defensive, authorised by legitimate authority, proportionate, civilians protected, ethical conduct.

Is all jihad violent?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: No — many scholars emphasise Greater Jihad (spiritual) over Lesser Jihad (physical defence).

Id-ul-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice

Id-ul-Adha (also called Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice) is one of the two major festivals in Islam. It commemorates Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in absolute obedience to Allah.

Qur'an 37:101-107 recounts: "So when they both submitted to the will of Allah, and Abraham laid him down upon his forehead [to sacrifice him], We called out to him, 'O Abraham, you have already fulfilled the vision!' Indeed, this is how We reward the righteous. This was a clear trial."

Critically, Allah provided a ram for sacrifice instead, sparing Ismail. This teaches obedience, sacrifice, and divine mercy.

When is Id-ul-Adha?

Id-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This is why it coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage.

  • It is a public holiday in all Muslim-majority countries
  • The festival lasts 3-4 days
  • All Muslims celebrate, whether they are on Hajj or at home
  • Unlike Hajj (which is obligatory once in a lifetime), Id-ul-Adha is an annual celebration

In 2026, Id-ul-Adha is expected around June 3-4 (depending on moon sighting).

The Ritual of Qurbani (Sacrifice)

The central ritual of Id-ul-Adha is Qurbani — sacrificing an animal to commemorate Abraham's obedience.

What Animals Are Sacrificed?

  • Sheep or lamb: At least 1 year old
  • Goat: At least 1 year old
  • Cow or buffalo: At least 2 years old
  • Camel: At least 5 years old

The animal must be physically healthy with no defects.

Distribution of Meat

  • One-third to the family
  • One-third to relatives and friends
  • One-third to the poor and needy

Qur'an 22:36-37: "The sacrificial camels and cattle — We have made them for you among the symbols of Allah... Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is the piety from you."

Festival Celebrations

Id-ul-Adha is a joyful occasion with multiple elements of celebration:

Religious Observances

  • Special prayers at dawn or in the early morning
  • Sermons in mosques explaining the significance of sacrifice
  • Family and community gatherings for prayers

Social Customs

  • Wearing new or best clothes, often traditional dress
  • Greetings: "Eid Mubarak" (Blessed Eid)
  • Visiting family, friends, and neighbours
  • Exchanging gifts
  • Preparing festive meals with the sacrificial meat

Community Values

  • Forgiveness and reconciliation
  • Charity and care for the poor
  • Family bonding across generations
  • Remembering the obedience of Prophet Abraham

Spiritual Significance

For Muslims, Id-ul-Adha represents several profound spiritual values:

Obedience to Allah

Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his beloved son demonstrates complete trust in Allah's wisdom, even when the command seems impossible. This is the ultimate expression of Muslim faith.

Testing and Faith

The Qur'an describes this as a "clear trial" (balaa) — a test that reveals true faith. Passing the test requires surrendering personal desires to God's will.

Divine Mercy

The substitution of a ram for Ismail shows that Allah does not desire suffering for its own sake. Instead, Allah values the intention and obedience of the believer.

Charity and Community

The distribution of meat to the poor and needy reminds Muslims that sacrifice is not only individual but communal — all must share blessings.

Connection to Hajj

Id-ul-Adha is inseparable from Hajj pilgrimage:

  • Pilgrims perform Qurbani at Mina on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah
  • After sacrifice, pilgrims end their Ihram state and celebrate with the wider Muslim world
  • Non-pilgrims at home celebrate simultaneously, creating global unity
  • The festival emphasises that while Hajj is limited to the able, Qurbani is for all Muslims

In this way, Id-ul-Adha connects every Muslim to the Hajj experience, even if they never travel to Makkah.

Comparison with Id-ul-Fitr

Aspect Id-ul-Adha Id-ul-Fitr
When 10th Dhu al-Hijjah (Hajj season) 1st Shawwal (End of Ramadan)
Commemorates Abraham's sacrifice; obedience End of fasting; spiritual achievement
Central Ritual Animal sacrifice (Qurbani) Special prayers; charity (Zakat ul-Fitr)
Duration 3-4 days 1-3 days
Themes Sacrifice, obedience, charity Joy, gratitude, community
Words: 0/300

12-Mark Exam Practice

Question: Explain the religious significance of Id-ul-Adha for Muslims. (12 marks)

Answer structure:

  • Introduction: Id-ul-Adha celebrates Abraham's obedience (1 mark)
  • Connection to Prophet Abraham and Ismail: the test of faith (2 marks)
  • The ritual of Qurbani: what it commemorates and how it's performed (3 marks)
  • Distribution of meat and charity: community values (2 marks)
  • Spiritual themes: obedience, faith, mercy, trust in Allah (2 marks)
  • Global celebration: unites all Muslims (1 mark)
  • Accurate Islamic terminology and references (1 mark)

Guidance

Key points for strong answers:

  • Mention Prophet Abraham and Ismail specifically
  • Explain the significance of the divine substitution (ram instead of Ismail)
  • Describe the ritual of Qurbani clearly
  • Connect sacrifice to obedience and faith in Allah
  • Emphasise the charity aspect (one-third to the poor)
  • Use Qur'anic references where possible

Key Terms

  • Id-ul-Adha: Festival of Sacrifice, celebrating Abraham's obedience
  • Qurbani: Animal sacrifice performed to commemorate Abraham
  • Dhu al-Hijjah: The 12th month of the Islamic calendar (Hajj season)
  • Ismail: Prophet Abraham's son in Islamic tradition
  • Ram (Kabsh): The animal provided by Allah to replace Ismail
  • Eid Mubarak: Traditional greeting meaning "Blessed Festival"

On which day of Dhu al-Hijjah is Id-ul-Adha celebrated?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: The 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

What event does Id-ul-Adha commemorate?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to Allah.

How is the sacrificial meat distributed in Id-ul-Adha?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: One-third to family, one-third to relatives/friends, one-third to the poor and needy.