What is Eid ul-Adha?
Eid ul-Adha (also spelled Eid al-Adha) is the second and most holy Eid of the Islamic year.
Also known as “the feast of the sacrifice”, it celebrates the Prophet Ibrahim, who was commanded by God to sacrifice his only son.
Satan tried to tempt Ibrahim as he prepared to commit the deed, but the prophet drove the devil away by throwing stones at him.
As he prepared to slit his son’s throat, God replaced the boy with a ram. Ibrahim had passed the test of his faith.
In honour of Ibrahim, Muslims sacrifice cows, goats, lambs and other animals on Eid ul-Adha – or Greater Eid – in the name of God.
The meat is then shared with family, friends and neighbours as well as the poor.
The celebration is one of the holiest of the Islamic calendar, and marks the end of the Hajj – the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the centre of the Islamic world.
All Muslims who are physically and financially able must undertake the journey at least once if their lifetime.
This year, two million gathered in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.
In June Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
When is Eid ul-Adha?
The holiday begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and runs for four days.
This year, Eid ul-Adha begins today (Friday, September 1) and ends on the evening of Tuesday, September 5.
Pakistanis will celebrate Eid from tomorrow, Saturday September 2.
What does Eid Mubarak mean?
The Arabic greeting translates to “blessed Eid” and is a polite way for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to greet each other during the celebration.
Some add “kul ‘am wantum bikhair”, which means “I hope for you to stay safe in the passing year”.