Celebrating Eidul Adha 2025: A Guide to Meaningful Traditions and Joyous Moments
Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is a time of deep spiritual reflection and gratitude, or community for Muslims around the world. The festival commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command, and hence, goes beyond its outer celebrations - new clothes, delicious food, and gatherings - and gives a profound message of submission, compassion, and sacrifice.
Understanding the Essence of Celebrating Eid ul-Adha:
When the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was prepared to sacrifice his beloved son in obedience to Allah’s command, Allah replaced the son with a ram, honoring Ibrahim's unwavering faith. Celebrating Eidul Adha is the commemoration of the act of sacrifice (Qurbani), symbolizing our willingness to let go of what we hold dear for the sake of higher moral values and obedience to God. By celebrating the festival means we are embracing that spirit in our actions and intentions.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Celebrating Eidul Adha:
Now it's important for us to know about celebrating Eidul Adha in a way that truly honors its spirit, to value the essential practices behind them. Here's how Eid ul-Adha can be meaningfully celebrated:
1. Begin with Spiritual Purification:
The morning of celebrating Eidul Adha should begin with Ghusl (ritual purification), that symbolizes physical and spiritual cleanliness. Wear your best and modest clothes, preferably new or clean traditional attire, and apply itr (non-alcoholic perfume). This ritual prepares you for standing before Allah in gratitude and reverence.
2. Offer the Eid Prayer:
The Eid Salah (prayer) is typically performed in congregation at a mosque or an open ground shortly after the sunrise. It includes two units (rak‘ahs) of prayer and followed by a Khutbah (sermon). After the prayer, Muslims exchange greetings like:
“Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid)
“Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” (May Allah accept from us and you)
This public gathering is a beautiful expression of unity and community among Muslims.
3. Perform Qurbani (Sacrifice):
If you are financially able, it's obligatory (wajib) for you to offer a Qurbani - the sacrifice of a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This act must follow Islamic guidelines and should be performed after the Eid prayer, and not before. The meat is generally divided into three portions:
- One-third for household
- One-third for relatives and friends
- One-third for the poor and needy
This distribution ensures that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can enjoy the blessings of Eid.
4. Share with the Needy
Eidul Adha is deeply rooted in compassion and social justice. If you cannot perform the sacrifice personally, you can donate to charitable organizations that carry out Qurbani on your behalf in underprivileged areas. Sharing your blessings - be it meat, money, or even time - helps spread the joy of Eid beyond your home to the poor.
5. Enjoy a Festive Meal:
Celebrating Eidul Adha is incomplete without a delicious spread. Families prepare a variety of traditional dishes like biryani, kebabs, korma, and sweet treats like sheer khurma or baklava. They enjoy barbecue often inviting the relatives, or friends, and neighbors to partake in the feast. Sharing meals is more than a custom - it’s a way to connect, and express gratitude, or create lasting memories.
6. Teach and Include Children
Eid is a wonderful time for you to educate children about Islamic values. Share the story of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail to them in an age-appropriate way, emphasizing the themes of trust, faith, and compassion. Also involve them in:
- Packing food for the poor
- Distributing meat
- Making Eid cards
- Decorating the home
7. Reflect on Personal Sacrifice:
At its core, Eid ul-Adha invites us to reflect on what we’re willing to sacrifice in our own lives. It might be:
- Letting go of our grudges
- Donating time and wealth to help others
- Giving up our bad habits
- Recommitting to the spiritual goals
Ask yourself of what can you sacrifice to become closer to Allah and be a better person?
8. Recite the Takbir:
From the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah) until the 13th Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims recite the Takbir after every fard (obligatory) prayer:
> Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd
(Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise).
Indeed, these words reconnect us to the deeper meaning of life and the greatness of our Creator.
A Global Celebration:
Eid ul-Adha is observed by millions of Muslims across the world, but the essence remains the same - faith, sacrifice, charity, and unity. Whether you’re celebrating the Eid in a bustling city or a quiet village, the spirit of it is carried through sincere intentions and meaningful actions.
Final Thoughts:
Knowing how to celebrating Eid ul-Adha in a way that is both joyful and meaningful helps us in embracing its true spirit. While traditions like prayer, sacrifice, and festive meals are important, it’s the values of empathy, gratitude, and submission to the will of Allah that give this festival its sacred beauty.
This Eid, let’s iterate not only to honor the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim but also strive to reflect his trust and obedience in our daily lives. Let's celebrate this Eid with sincerity, share with generosity, and reflect with humility.
Eid Mubarak to all!
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