Muslims across the UK and the world are starting to celebrate Eid al-Adha today (July 9), one of the most important events on the Islamic calendar.
Eid al-Adha – the ‘feast of the sacrifice’ – is a time for loved ones to come to share gifts and enjoy feasts together.
It is the second Eid celebration celebrated annually, following Eid-al Fitr which fell in May of this year.
So, when does it take place, and what does it celebrate?
When is Eid-al Adha?
Eid al-Adha – the ‘feast of the sacrifice’ – is a sacred time for Muslims.
It’s the time of year when many Muslims make a five-day pilgrimage to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, called Hajj, which is something Muslims are expected to do at least once in their lifetime.
Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar.
Eid al-Adha lasts for four days starting from today, July 9.
Like Eid al-Fitr, the date of Eid al-Adha depends on the Islamic lunar calendar and the sighting of the crescent moon.
Why are there two Eids?
There are two major Eids in the Islamic calendar per year – Eid al-Fitr earlier in the year and Eid al-Adha later.
Eid al-Fitr is a three-day-long festival and is known as the ‘Smaller Eid’ when compared to Eid al-Adha, which is four-days-long and is known as the ‘Greater Eid.’
The two Eids celebrate two distinct events that are significant to the Islamic faith.
Eid al-Fitr means ‘the feast of breaking the fast.’ The fast, in this instance, is that of Ramadan, which recalls the revealing of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
Eid al-Adha recalls the story of how God commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as a test of faith (the story is of Abraham and Isaac in the Hebrew Torah and Christian Old Testament).
When is Eid al-Fitr next year?
Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
In the UK, Eid-al Fitr will last for one day, and will start on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Like the start of Ramadan, this is subject to the official sighting of the crescent moon, and may vary in different countries.
Observers will look for the first sighting on the 29th day of Ramadan, and if the moon is seen, Ramadan is deemed to have ended.
If it isn’t, then it goes on another day and Shawwal starts the day after that.
What happens during Eid-al Fitr?
One thing to know about Eid-al-Fitr is that it is forbidden to fast.
Eid will generally be celebrated with meals among family, friends and communities. Sometimes, it is referred to as the Sugar Feast, alluding to the fact that many Muslims will indulge in some sweet treats after their fasting.
Eid al-Fitr is also a time when presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited.
In addition, it’s normal for men to greet other men with a big hug, and women to do the same to other women in a bid to create goodwill between all.
Because one of the five pillars of Islam is Zakat – giving to charity – many Muslims will also celebrate by giving to charity and helping out others.
During Eid, there is a type of charitable giving called Zakat al-Fitr, which takes place at the end of Ramadan, or given out just before the end so that everyone can celebrate during Eid-al Fitr.
MORE : Greetings, quotes and sayings to mark Eid al-Fitr
MORE : One of UK’s youngest Imams busts myths about Muslims for Ramadan
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source https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/09/why-are-there-two-eids-and-when-is-eid-al-adha-2022-16970609/
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