Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is deemed one of the holiest days in Islam and is a highly celebrated event for Muslims worldwide. It is one of two blessed celebrations and is known as the greater Eid. This celebration’s importance is reflected in Islamic narrations. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) states the superiority of both Eid celebrations over other festivals in Islam:

Amongst this, it is stated that:

During Eid al-Adha, Muslims make a sacrifice of an animal to distribute the meat to those in need, known as Qurbani. This is a sacred act of worship that shows devotion to Allah (SWT) and strengthens Muslims' faith. The celebration occurs on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar and is very sacred. Within this month, the pilgrimage of Hajj happens for Muslims to fulfil a once-in-a-lifetime obligation. Both the Hajj and the celebration of Eid al-Adha make this month very important and strengthen the ummah.

What is Eid al-Adha? 

Eid al-Adha is one of the two celebrations in Islam and is known as the greater Eid and the festival of sacrifice in Islam. It holds great significance due to its vast history and the important act of worship that occurs within it. This celebration is a time for Qurbani, which is an animal sacrifice that’s made to show utter devotion to Allah (SWT). Alongside this, it commemorates the commitment of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and follows the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims are highly encouraged during the Eid celebrations to sacrifice an animal show devotion to their faith. This act of worship brings the ummah together and grows their spirituality through taqwa (consciousness of God) to strengthen their connection to Allah (SWT).

Alongside the spiritual aspect of Eid al-Adha, there’s a community aspect to the celebration. People come together in celebration with family, friends and the community to share traditional dishes, conversation and gifts. It’s a chance to strengthen the ummah and share the blessings that they have been given with others. Eid al-Adha spreads joy to everyone and helps those in desperate need through distributing Qurbani. These people can feel like it’s impossible to have meat at all, even on the joyous occasion. Qurbani gives them tasty meat to celebrate Eid with, while providing sustenance to help them survive.

How is Eid al-Adha Celebrated? 

When it comes to how Eid al-Adha is celebrated, there are numerous ways in which Muslims come together in celebration. The main way the event is celebrated is through the Qurbani sacrifice to help those in need with vital sustenance. However, Qurbani is not the only way that Muslims celebrate the occasion. Believers follow the traditions of Eid and practice Sunnah throughout the blessed celebration. Sunnah are acts that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) willingly performed himself and are very spiritually important for Muslims. 

Alongside this, Eid al-Adha is a time for people to come together, uniting family, friends and the community in celebration. It allows everyone to strengthen their faith together and spread joy to one another, no matter their situation. The poor receive the Qurbani meat so they can feel the joy of Eid and have nutritious traditional meals. Eid al-Adha starts with the adoration of Allah (SWT) in prayers, which is followed by Qurbani and a festive meal with loved ones. Muslims should have a shower, dress in their best clothes and use miswak and perfume before going to the place of prayer.

Why is Eid al-Adha Important? 

Many wonder why this Eid is so important and commonly ask, “What does Eid al-Adha celebrate?”. The importance and the purpose of the celebration come from the Qurbani sacrifice, which is a high act of worship for all believers. It helps the poor by distributing the meat to vulnerable communities that face hunger every day and unimaginable hardship. This act stems from the significant history of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) that began the act of Qurbani. The Prophet (AS) was told by Allah (SWT) to sacrifice his only son, Ismail (AS), as a test of love and submission to Him. Ibrahim (AS) stayed devoted to Allah (SWT) and obeyed His command with an unwavering commitment. Ismail (AS) also showed his obedience and commitment to his faith by willingly allowing the sacrifice to happen.

Both Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) went to Mount Arafat to perform the sacrifice and follow through with Allah’s command. Ibrahim (AS) tied his son’s hands and knew in his heart that the sacrifice needed to be made to show that his love is greater for Allah (SWT). However, before the sacrifice could be done, Allah (SWT) sent down a ram in place of Ismail (AS) to reward them both for their utter devotion to Him. Ibrahim (AS) sacrificed the ram instead, which began the Qurbani sacrifice and solidified the importance of Eid al-Adha. Now, Muslims worldwide partake in Qurbani sacrifices to fulfil the act of worship and reflect the same devotion as Ibrahim (AS). 

How Eid al-Adha Qurbani is Done 

Eid al-Adha Qurbani is done in line with Islamic regulations. In the UK, it’s typically made as a charitable contribution due to strict slaughter regulations. Donating money for Qurbani ensures that Muslims fulfil their obligation correctly, while helping the poor and needy. It allows the sacrifice to be done in the most vulnerable areas, so it can be quickly distributed to the hungry to help them feel the joy of Eid. This also ensures the sacrifice is carried out in line with Islamic regulations to make Qurbani count.

At Al-Qulub Trust, we handle your Eid al-Adha donation with care, transparency, honesty, compassion and speed. Your sacrifice is delivered on time to those in desperate need and follows Islamic guidelines. Our team distribute the meat to the most vulnerable areas that are suffering great hardship and humanitarian problems. These communities are our priority to help end their suffering and transform their lives. 

Qurbani for Eid al-Adha Rules 

There are Islamic rules that guide Muslims on how Qurbani for Eid al-Adha should be performed. These outline which animals are eligible for Qurbani and how many shares each animal can represent. Eligible animals include sheep and goats (which count as one Qurbani each) that need to be at least one year old, cows, bulls and buffalo, and even camels. These bigger animals can be divided into seven shares to provide a practical option for families who want to fulfil their obligation together. The bigger animals must also meet age requirements, such as cattle must be at least two years old and camels at least five years old. 

On top of age for the animals, they must be healthy and well-cared for before the sacrifice. They also need to be free from any defects like lameness, severe emaciation and blindness. Al-Qulub Trust selects animals that meet all of these criteria. We ensure that the sacrifice is carried out according to Islamic regulations.  

When is Eid al-Adha 2026 in the UK? 

So, when is Eid al-Adha 2026 in the UK? It’s important to know when the celebration is expected to start in the UK so that you can ensure your Qurbani donations are made in time. Eid al-Adha falls in the month of Dhul Hijjah and starts on the 10th of that month. For 2026, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah is expected to fall on May 27th in the Gregorian Calendar. However, this is subject to moon sightings, so it’s best to check back or ask your local Mosque council closer to the time.

Donate your Eid al-Adha Qurbani to Al-Qulub Trust as early as possible during the month of Dhul Hijjah. You can save countless lives facing hardship every day and bring hope for a better life.

Make an Eid al-Adha Donation to Al-Qulub Trust 

Make an Eid al-Adha donation before the celebration begins to ensure that your donation counts. You can help to save the lives of many families and give them an escape from hunger and hardship. We use your donation to carry out the sacrifice in your name accurately. Afterwards, we distribute it to families who struggle to feed themselves daily. These families face hunger, malnutrition and unimaginable hardship every single day in crisis-stricken areas around the world. Our team work across areas like Palestine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Burundi and Tanzania. Your Qurbani has the power to make a meaningful difference to many lives, bringing hope and joy to those in need.