English

Eid al-Adha (10 Dhul-Hijjah): the sacrifice, prayer and sunnahs

Short answerEid al-Adha is the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah, remembering the sacrifice of Ibrahim. It includes the Eid prayer and then the udhiyah (sacrifice) of a grazing animal, from which a Muslim eats, gifts and gives in charity. The goal is piety: neither their meat nor blood reaches God.

Next date (expected)Sunday, 16 May 2027
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Date per the Umm al-Qura calendar, confirmed by moon sighting.

The purpose

Quran
لَن يَنَالَ ٱللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ مِنكُمۡۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمۡ لِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ

Their meat will not reach Allāh, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.

Al-Hajj 22:37
Quran
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنۡحَرۡ

So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice [to Him alone].

Al-Kawthar 108:2

Sunnahs of the day

  • Bathing, wearing one’s best and the takbir.
  • The Eid prayer, then slaughtering the sacrifice afterwards.
  • Days of Tashriq (11–13 Dhul-Hijjah): eating, drinking and remembering God.

Frequently asked questions

When is Eid al-Adha 2027?

Expected around 16 May 2027, subject to moon sighting.

Texts and translations are under scholarly review.