Meaning and Wisdom of ‘Eid al-Adha

21-6-2025 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamualikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. What is Eid Aladha? Why is it celebrated? Is it to celebrate the great test passed by Prophet Ibrahim in which he was commanded to slaughter his son?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

‘Eid al-Adha begins on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah. It is named so because it is the time when Muslims are prescribed to sacrifice animals as an act of worship, drawing closer to Allah, honouring Him, remembering His name, and spreading joy and generosity among the Muslims. Allah says: {For every Ummah (nation) We have prescribed the act of sacrifice, so that they recite Allah’s name over the provision He gave them from the cattle [sacrificial animals].} [Quran 22:34]

One of the key wisdoms behind the sacrifice is to remember the profound act of obedience shown by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham may Allaah exalt his mention) and his son Ismail (Ishmael may Allaah exalt his mention), when the father was commanded to sacrifice his son. They both submitted to the command of Allah the Almighty and set a remarkable example for the upright Muslim who follows the Divine law, willing to sacrifice whatever he can in pursuit of his Lord’s pleasure, may He be glorified and exalted.

Allah knows best.

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