Eid al-Adha

Commemoration of Ibrahim's Sacrifice: Eid al-Adha honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command. However, before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this intervention, animals are sacrificed ritually.

Sacrificial Animal: A lamb, sheep, goat, camel, or cow is sacrificed as part of the celebrations. The act is known as Qurbani and symbolizes the believer's willingness to give up things that are of benefit to them or close to their hearts, in order to follow God's commands.

Distribution of Meat: The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts. One share is given to the poor and needy; another is kept for home; and the third is given to relatives.

Eid Prayers: Like Eid al-Fitr, the day begins with morning congregational prayers (salat al-Eid). The Eid prayers are followed by a sermon where the imam asks for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for every being.

Celebration and Social Obligations: Families and friends dress in their finest clothes, exchange gifts, and visit each other. It is also common to visit the graves of loved ones, which is a way of remembering the dead and the Day of Judgment.

Cultural specifics of the celebration of Eid al-Adha vary from country to country. For instance, in Turkey, the festival is known as Kurban Bayramı and has its own particular traditions.

Food is a significant part of the celebrations, with special dishes and delicacies prepared for the occasion, which are shared with family, friends, and the needy.

For those performing the Hajj, the day of Eid al-Adha marks the most important day of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims perform the ritual of animal sacrifice and continue with other rites to complete their pilgrimage.

Eid al-Adha is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, and remembering the less fortunate. The act of sacrifice and giving to the needy serves as a reminder of the importance of generosity and God's mercy in daily life.