What is Eid al-Adha? Why is it celebrated? The Islamic holiday explained

USA Today

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What is Eid al-Adha? Why is it celebrated? The Islamic holiday explained
Eid al-Adha, a period of "communal enjoyment" for Muslims worldwide, is officially underway.
Over two billion Muslims are currently, or preparing, to celebrate the "Feast of Sacrifice," a major Islamic holiday that commemorates a profound act of faith.
The festival, which spans a couple of days, is marked by prayer, the ritual sacrifice of animals and feasts. One of the most significant and well-known traditions is Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which every Muslim has to do once in their lifetime.
"Just as Christians perform the communion in honor of the sacrifice of Jesus [Christ] and they have bread and wine together, the flesh and blood of Jesus. Muslims do this sacrifice in honor of the sacrifice of Abraham, of his son, which is either Isaac or Ishmael," Mohsen Goudarzi, assistant professor of Islamic Studies at the Harvard Divinity School, said in a Thursday interview with USA TODAY.
Here's what to know about the Islamic holiday, including when and how it is celebrated.
What is the significance of Eid al-Adha? And when is it celebrated?
Eid al-Adha commemorates Prophet Abraham's commitment to his faith, as he was "willing" to sacrifice his son. Traditionally known as Ishmael, because God asked him to. God intervened at the last moment, presenting a ram to be sacrificed in the son's place.
Eid al-Adha, regardless of the day, always falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final and most sacred month of the Islamic calendar.
This year's "Feast of Sacrifice," specifically the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, began at sunset on June 5, authorities in Saudi Arabia recently confirmed to Al-Jazeera. The date provided by the Saudi Arabian government holds relevance to those who are making the Hajj.
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"Around the world, people do [observe] this far from Mecca, they just face the Meccan sanctuary during their prayers and rituals," Goudarzi said.
Muslims who are not participating in the Hajj, or holy trip, typically observe Eid al-Adha starting June 6. The date of Eid al-Adha may also vary from country to country.
"If people in Iran, for example, or in Indonesia or in Pakistan, their government can say, 'You know what the 10th day is this Friday. And so, this is the day when we come together, those who are not going to Mecca, which is the vast majority of the public,'" Goudarzi said. "They would get to define which day is the festival."
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How do Muslims observe Eid al-Adha?
Though devotion plays an important role in how Muslims observe Eid al-Adha, there is also room to come together and have fun.
"The whole festival is very much geared towards communal enjoyment," Goudarzi said.
While the day may start off with a special prayer service at a mosque, Muslims make time to visit with loved ones on the "Feast of Sacrifice," exchanging greetings, gifts "Eidi" and food, including homemade sweets.
Muslims also follow the way of the Prophet Muhammad, also known as Sunnah on Islam, by engaging in certain practices on Eid. (Sunnah is followed every day, not only on Eid.)
Some of these practices include taking a bath or shower in the morning, wearing one's best clothes and perfume, taking a different path home from attending Eid prayer, or saying 'Takbeer' ("Takbir") to praise God on the way to Eid prayers.
Those with the means may present a Qurbani, or animal sacrifice, comparable to the sacrifice that Prophet Abraham was willing to make. Goats, cows, sheep, lambs and camels are some of the animals permitted to be sacrificed.
"If you can afford it, you can perform the sacrifices, or have some people perform the sacrifice on your behalf and distribute the meat, either for yourself and for charitable purposes," Goudarzi said.
While the participation in the Qurbani and the consumption of the Qurbani is not required, it is encouraged. The meat from the Qurbani is split three ways: one-third for you and yours, one-third for family and friends and one-third for the needy.
Some Muslims go to slaughterhouses that practice zabiha, the prescribed method of slaughter for halal animals for their Qurbani sacrifice or donate to charities that distribute meats to communities affected by food insecurity.
"Generally, the highlight is really the 10th day, when you go to a mosque, oftentimes the big mosque in your town or city, and you perform the rituals and you come together and so on," Goudarzi said. "It does have a very festive atmosphere."
Contributing: Mariyam Muhammad, The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network