Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha (/ˌiːd əl ˈɑːdə/ EED əl AH-də; Arabic: عيد الأضحى, romanized: ʿĪd al-ʾAḍḥā, IPA: [ˈʕiːd alˈʔadˤħaː]) or the Feast of Sacrifice is the second of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). In Islamic tradition, it honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command. Depending on the narrative, either Ishmael or Isaac is referred to with the honorific title "Sacrifice of God". However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, and because of his willingness to do so, God provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son's place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals such as lambs are sacrificed. The meat of the sacrificed animal is divided into three portions: one part of the meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, one portion is for friends and relatives, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed. The day is also sometimes called the "Greater Eid" (Arabic: العيد الكبير, romanized: al-ʿĪd al-Kabīr).

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja and lasts for four days. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year, shifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.