Why is Eid al Adha An Important Occassion For Muslims?

The word ‘Eid’ means festival, or recurring happiness. Muslims celeberate two Eids in an Islamic year: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Adha is the Eid of ‘Udhiyah’, which means sacrifice. It is celebrated at the conclusion of Hajj on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. As we prepare for Eid al-Adha 2026, it is worth reflecting on why the occasion matters so much.

Importance of Eid al-Adha in the Muslim Communities?

Eid al-Adha is an important event in the Muslim calendar for many reasons. It is a great time for communal peace and harmony during which Muslims practice animal sacrifice, an obligatory duty for those who qualify for it. The purpose of practicing sacrifice is to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice and the unwavering faith of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismael (AS). Since Eid al-Adha is known as the Eid of sacrifice, it is of immediate significance to Muslims.

The Sacrifice Obligation

According to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, Qurbani is mandatory for believers who have resources that exceed their needs or have wealth equal to or greater than the Nisab value. The Nisab value is equal to the market value of 612 grams of silver. Besides, the Hanafis, other schools of Islamic jurisprudence also highly recommend Qurbani. The Quran asks believers to practice sacrifice in the following verse:

“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].” (Surat Al-Kawthar, 108:2)

This verse is also backed by a strong Hadith that instructs Muslims to practice Qurbani, if they can afford it:

“It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever can afford it, but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3123)

Spiritual Rewards Associated with Qurbani

Qurbani is an act of devotion, which brings believers closer to Allah (SWT). The following Quranic verse clearly mentions Qurbani rewards.

“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.” (Surat Al-Ĥaj, 22:37)

The spiritual rewards of Qurbani are defined in detail in the following Hadiths:

“That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.” (Surat Al-Ĥaj: 22:28)

It was narrated that Zaid bin Arqam said: “The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what are these sacrifices?’ He said: ‘The Sunnah of your father Ibrahim.’ They said: ‘What is there for us in them, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘For every hair, one merit.’ They said: ‘What about wool, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘For every hair of wool, one merit.’”(Sunan Ibn Majah, 3127)

Narrated ‘Aishah: That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “A human does no action from the actions on the day of Nahr more beloved to Allah then spilling blood (of sacrificial animals). On the Day of Judgment, it will appear with its horns, and hair, and hooves, and indeed the blood will be accepted by Allah from where it is received before it even falls upon earth, so let your heart delight in it.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 1493)

All the above-mentioned Qurani verses and Hadiths indicate the great importance of Eid al-Adha and Qurbani rewards in Islam.

The Social and Economic Importance of Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is a Day of sacrifice, but it is also a Day of sharing. Islam encouraged believers to share their Qurbani meat not only with their family and friends, but also with the underprivileged. It is customary to divide the Qurbani meat into three equal portions. One portion is kept for self-consumption, another for neighbors and extended family, and the third is reserved exclusively for poor individuals and families. You can also gift all three portions of meat to the poor to gain maximum spiritual rewards. Affluent believers who can afford meat should be as charitable as possible, because many people cannot afford meat, even on Eid Days. By getting the maximum amount of meat packages, you can gain maximum spiritual rewards while making this Eid special for everyone.

Donate Your Qurbani to Transparent Hands

As Eid al-Adha 2026 approaches, many of us are preparing to make Qurbani arrangements. You can donate your Qurbani amount to a Shari’ah-compliant organization like Transparent Hands. We can organize Qurbani on your behalf, ensuring the sacrificial meat is kept hygienically and provided to the most deserving people.

We are a crowdfunding platform that has provided medical assistance to thousands of deserving patients in Pakistan since 2014. We have an excellent Maternal and Child program that has saved many lives. We also support a range of surgeries for underprivileged patients. We regularly organize medical camps across Pakistan, providing free medical checkups, medicines, and diagnostic tests in low-income areas.

Our Qurbani program focuses on performing Qurbani, adhering to Shariah rulings, and maintaining the best standard of hygienic practices. We take special care to procure healthy and fit-for-Qurbani animals that are slaughtered in renowned slaughterhouses. Our team distributes sacrificial meat among the most deserving segments of society, including orphans, widows, laborers, madrassa students, people with disabilities, families living in slums, transgender community, and other deserving individuals.

This year, let’s get together to reach out to as many deserving individuals and families as possible. Donate for your Qurbani now!

FAQs

What happens if a Muslim cannot afford Qurbani on Eid al-Adha?

Allah (SWT) doesn’t burden anyone. If a believer doesn’t qualify for Nisab, Qurbani no longer becomes obligatory for them, and they can skip it on Eid al-Adha. However, it you can afford it, don’t miss out on the great Qurbani rewards associated with Eid al-Adha.

How is Qurbani meat supposed to be shared on Eid al-Adha?

Traditionally, Qurbani meat is divided into three equal portions. One for the self-consumption, one for neighbors and relatives, and one portion for the poor and the underprivileged.

What is the social and economic impact of Eid al-Adha on communities?

Many needy and underprivileged individuals and communities benefit from eating the Qurbani meat. Many of these people cannot afford to eat meat even once a year, and Eid al-Adha offers them an excellent opportunity to enjoy nutritious meals.

When is Eid al-Adha celebrated in the Islamic calendar?

Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah.

How does Eid al-Adha strengthen community bonds among Muslims?

The importance of Eid al-Adha in Muslim communities is paramount. Like all great festivities, Eid al-Adha brings people together as they exchange meat packages and gifts.