Eid al-Adha, or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is among the most spiritually significant days in Islam. It is not just the end of the Hajj proceedings, but also a revival of the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his abdication. Behind the happiness and celebration of the day, it brings a profound message of submission, gratitude, and charity.
Sunnahs of Eid al-Adha
- Ghusl (Ritual Bath)
- It is Sunnah to perform a ghusl before going to the Eid prayer.
- Wearing One’s Best Clothes
- Wear beautiful yet modest attire; The best is your best halal clothes, and they should be clean, at least freshly laundered, or brand new.
- Don’t Eat Before the Eid Prayer
- Unlike Eid al-Fitr, the Sunnah for Eid al-Adha is to eat after returning from Eid prayer, preferably out of the Qurbani meat.
- Reciting the Takbeer
- Starting from Fajr on the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah) until Asr on the 13th.
- To be recited after every Fardh Salah:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallahu wallahu Akbar Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd.
- Walking to the Prayer Ground
- If you can, go to the Eid khutbah on foot and come back by a different way.
- The prayer Service (Salat) and Khutbah (Sermon)
- When the two rakah have been prayed, pay attention to the khutbah. This is Sunnah, and it instills life into the oneness and the message of the ummah.
Celebrating Eid the Prophetic Way
- Offer Qurbani (if eligible)
- Qurbani is among the most important Sunnahs of Eid al-Adha.
- Feed the Needy and Share Joy
- Distribute Qurbani meat to the needy, friends, and relatives. Such is sadaqah and prophetic compassion revived.
- Visit Relatives & Reconcile
- Eid is a time to reconnect. And the act of visiting, or calling distant relatives, and fixing broken ties is something Allah loves.
- Spread Joy Without Waste
- Have a halal kind of fun, with a purpose. Instead, let it be a day of dhikr, joy, and gratitude, but not excess.
Eid Is Not Just a Holiday; It’s a Message
Eid al-Adha is not just a time for celebration; it is also a reminder:
- That faith sometimes involves sacrifice.
- That obedience is the highest form of joy.
- That we are all bound together by words of surrender and forgiveness.
Conclusion
Eid-al-Adha: Its purpose. The celebration of Eid-al-Adha (the commemoration of the sacrifice of Ibrahim AS) is a statement of intent on how we should live our lives. In reviving its Sunnahs, presenting our Qurbani, and celebrating with intent, we render this day not so much festive as faithful.
“Say, indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
(Surah Al-An’am 6:162)
