The Festival of Sacrifice – What Eid Al Adha means to Muslims
Are you curious about Eid Al Adha in Dubai? This important Islamic holiday is coming up, and the UAE is buzzing with preparations! Celebrated worldwide by Muslims, Eid Al Adha holds deep significance. If you are new to the UAE, you might wonder what Eid Al Adha means to Muslims and how people celebrate it. The guide answers these questions, helping you understand this special religious event.
WHAT EID MEANS TO MUSLIMS
Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid Al Adha is a popular UAE public holiday. On this day, close to 2 billion Muslims worldwide celebrate together. But before we get into the details of the celebrations, here’s a little history of Eid Al Adha.
To answer the question of ‘what Eid Al Adha means to Muslims,’ we must first know why it is celebrated. This festival commemorates the historical event when Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was willing to sacrifice his son to prove his faith in Allah. Eid Al Adha is celebrated for three days — starting from the 10th until the 12th of Zul Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic Lunar calendar.
At its core, the Eid Al Adha celebration is honoured by Muslims as a day of remembrance of the consent to submit to Allah’s will. It’s celebrated the same way across the world — Muslims sacrifice animals in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s consent to sacrifice his son by following his Lord’s commands. This is the history of Eid Al Adha.
In most Muslim countries, the Eid Al Adha holiday is celebrated by preparing various dishes, visiting friends or relatives and exchanging Eid Mubarak wishes and greetings.
So, what does Eid Al Adha mean to Muslims? It simply means sacrificing your greatest belongings for a greater cause.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT EID AL ADHA PRAYERS
On the first day of Eid, devotees prepare themselves by:
- Performing ablution and offering Fajr or the first of the five obligatory daily prayers.
- Taking extra care of cleanliness.
- Dressing up and wearing new clothing
Following the regular morning (fajr) prayer, a special Eid prayer is obligatory for Muslim men and women. This is performed in congregation in an open-air enclosure reserved for Eid prayers or mosques. However, you can perform Eid prayer at home as well.
ANIMAL SACRIFICE
After Eid Al Adha prayers are over, Muslims perform an Eid Al Adha sacrifice, which includes sacrificing a cow, goat, camel, sheep or buffalo. According to Islamic rules, every financially able adult is expected to perform a sacrifice during this occasion. The animal can be male or female; however, those conducting the sacrifice must follow certain rules.
Remember that the sacrificial animal must be:
- Above a certain age (varies for different animals)
- Free from disability
- In good health
Many people use Qurbani services in Dubai to complete this religious duty.
After the sacrifice, devotees divide the meat into three parts. Families keep one share, another part is distributed amongst close relatives and the remaining is given to those less fortunate.
Charitable donations are a big part of the spirit of Eid Al Adha. When we ask what Eid Al Adha means to Muslims, we can look at all the donation drives carried out during this period.
FAQS ABOUT THE MEANING OF EID AL ADHA
WHEN IS EID AL ADHA CELEBRATED ACROSS THE WORLD?
The observance of Eid Al Adha varies across the globe since it is subject to the moon’s appearance. Local authorities start the process of moon sightings on the 29th of Dhu al-Qi’dah.
The Eid Al Adha date changes every year. It is approximately 11 days earlier each consecutive year.
WHEN IS EID AL ADHA 2024 IN UAE?
According to religious authorities in the UAE, Eid Al Adha 2024 will likely fall on Monday, 17th June. Based on this prediction, residents in the private and public sectors can look forward to a two-day break.
Another thing to remember is that this Eid coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage – a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime, provided that they are financially and physically capable of undertaking the journey.
WHAT ARE EID AL ADHA 2024 PRAYER TIMINGS IN UAE?
Eid al-Adha prayer times in the UAE can vary slightly by location. This is because the exact timing depends on when sunrise occurs, which differs across cities. Additionally, some communities may base timings on astronomical calculations, while others follow local moon sightings.
Generally, you can expect the Eid al-Adha prayer to take place around 15–20 minutes after sunrise.
WHAT TO DO DURING EID AL ADHA IN THE UAE?
There are various Eid Al Adha activities you can participate in, including visiting malls, enjoying fireworks, attending concerts and more! If you are in the capital city, here’s a list of things to do in Abu Dhabi during Eid Al Adha 2024.
Similarly, you can enjoy Eid Al Adha activities in Dubai, including fireworks, staycations, shopping, etc.
Furthermore, cinephiles can pick their favourite from the top movies to see this Eid Al Adha in Dubai, either Hollywood or Bollywood.
CAN YOU SUGGEST STAYCATION DEALS THIS EID AL ADHA?
One of the best ways to celebrate Eid Al Adha 2024 is with a staycation. Several famous hotels in the UAE offer exciting hotel deals for patrons looking to make the most of their days off. However, we would suggest checking our review of the best Eid al Adha staycation deals in the UAE to reach a decision.
That’s a wrap of things to know about Eid Al Adha. Until next time, Happy Eid Ul Adha! On this joyous occasion, don’t forget to try traditional Arabic sweets. From the delicate textures of baklava to the creamy richness of umm ali, Arabic desserts offer a truly unforgettable experience for any sweet tooth.
