Eid Al-Adha is a major holiday for all Muslims that occurs in the last month of the islamic calendar also called hijri calendar. The month it occurs on is called Dhu Al-Hijjah and it occurs on the 10th day of this month. Eid Al-Adha also occurs during the Hajj or pilgrimage which spans five days from the 8th day to the 12th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah. There is another similar major holiday known as Eid Al-Fitr that has its own section.

Eid Al-Adha means festival of sacrifice. The origin of Eid Al-Adha dates back to the prophet Ibrahim (AS). It is to honor the sacrifice Ibrahim (AS) was willing to make to obey Allah (SWT). Ibrahim (AS) saw in a dream he had to sacrifice the most precious thing to him, which was his son, Ismael (AS). Right when Ibrahim (AS) was about to sacrifice his son, Allah (SWT) replaced his son with a sheep. By obeying the command of Allah (SWT), Ibrahim (AS) passed the ultimate test and his son was spared also. Eid Al-Adha is to remind Muslims of the great sacrifice Ibrahim (AS) was willing to make and the level of obedience he had to Allah (SWT).

The Eid Al-Adha prayer is only 2 rakath wajib with six additional takbeers, which is saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and raising your hands to the ears as is done at the beginning of every prayer. The first three takbeers are performed after recitation of Subahanaka allahumma… On the first and second additional takbeers, one must not fold their hands but let their hands hang down. On the third additional takbeer one is to fold their hands and recite surah Al-Fatiha followed by another surah. The prayer is standard from then on until going to the rukoo on the second rakath. Three more additional takbeers must be performed before the second rukoo. These three additional takbeer will be performed where the hands should not be folded but left hanging after all three takbeers. On the fourth takbeer one is to go to rukoo. The prayer is normal after that until the end. Note: This is prayed the same way for Eid Al-Fitr prayer.