It’s almost Eid al-Adha. Get ready with us.
The mornings of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are special, and just like on Eid al-Fitr, it’s from the sunnah to eat on the morning of Eid al-Adha. If we’re not starting the day with food, we’re starting it with cleansing. Either way, we’re doing both.
Start the day with a shower, making ghusl to prime the body for a day of prayer, remembrance, and introspection. Then, wear some of your best clothes and apply cologne or perfume to ensure you have a pleasant scent — both for the people and the angels around you.
Pray fajr and recite the takbeerat of Eid, glorifying The Almighty. Continue the chanting until the Eid prayer — and stay through the khutbah that proceeds the actual salah. Spend time afterward with friends and family, rejoicing in the day’s blessings, among which are the lovely traditional sweets that Muslim households around the world prepare just for this day. Give Eid money and other gifts to your younger siblings, cousins and friends.
This is all part of a shared experience, but the day diverges as some are in a position to complete their qurbani (udhiyah) practice themselves, and others are not.
Islam “emphatically recommends” that every Muslim with enough wealth to do so offers qurbani (udhiyah) of one animal from the cattle family, per household, yearly, to celebrate the completion of Hajj — even if no one from that household goes to Hajj that year.
[Not quite sure what qurbani/udhiyah is? Learn more here.]
If you’re doing the sacrifice yourself, do so on the morning of Eid al-Adha, preferably right after the Eid salah, or alternatively in the two or three days after.
For those who don’t plan to complete the qurbani (udhiyah) themselves, it’s important to donate to those who can. That’s where trusted humanitarian nonprofit organizations like Zakat Foundation of America come in. This year, as in years past, Zakat Foundation of America is facilitating qurbani in 40 countries. Donate before the morning of Eid al-Adha to make sure the facilitators can use your contribution in time. At checkout, you can also opt to donate an Eid gift to an orphan, putting yet another smile on his or her face during the day’s festivities.
