“Eid al-Adha 2023: A Celebration of Sacrifice and Reflection”

When is Eid al-Adha 2023? Big Eid start date, what ‘Eid Mubarak’ means and the festival explained

Eid al-Adha and its Lunar-Based Position

Eid al-Adha, also known as “Big Eid,” holds great significance for Muslims around the world. It is one of the two Eid festivals celebrated each year, with the other being Eid al-Fitr. The timing of Eid al-Adha varies each year as it is based on the lunar cycle. This means that it can fall on different dates in different parts of the world.

Eid al-Adha is observed on the tenth day of the twelfth month, called Dhul-Hijjah, in the Islamic Hijri calendar. As the Hijri calendar follows the phases of the moon, the date of Eid al-Adha advances approximately 11 days each year in the Gregorian calendar, which is more commonly used globally.

According to Saudi Arabia, whose official decision is followed by many Muslims across the world, Dhul-Hijjah began on Monday, 19 June 2023. This signifies that Eid al-Adha will commence on Wednesday, 28 June 2023. The festival spans a period of four days and will conclude on the evening of Sunday, 2 July 2023.

The Significance and Observance of Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, also referred to as the “Festival of the Sacrifice,” is considered the holier of the two Islamic Eid festivals. It commemorates the famous story of the prophet Ibrahim (known as Abraham in the Christian Old Testament) and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command. However, just as Ibrahim was about to carry out the sacrifice, God, known as Allah in Islam, provided a lamb for him to sacrifice instead.

In commemoration of this event, it is traditional to sacrifice an animal, typically a sheep or goat, and divide it into three parts. This act, known as Qurbani, involves giving one part to the poor, one part to the immediate family at home, and reserving the final part for relatives. Some Muslims may choose to give monetary donations to charity, which allows less privileged families to partake in a proper Eid feast. Mosques and community groups often organize communal meals to celebrate the occasion.

The Meaning of “Eid Mubarak” and its Usage

“Eid Mubarak” is the traditional phrase used by Muslims to greet each other during both Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The phrase holds deep significance and is widely interpreted as wishing someone a “happy Eid.”

The word “mubarak” in Arabic translates to “blessed,” while “Eid” signifies feast, festival, or celebration. Therefore, “Eid Mubarak” can be understood as “blessed celebration” or “blessed feast.” It can be used alone to convey well wishes for both Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. However, for specificity, one can use “Eid al-Fitr Mubarak” or “Eid al-Adha Mubarak” to differentiate between the two festivals.

Similarly, during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims greet fellow observers with “Ramadan Mubarak” to convey wishes for a blessed month. While less commonly used, “Ramadan Kareem” can also be used, which translates to “Generous Ramadan.” However, there is debate regarding the appropriateness of using “Kareem” as it may contradict the principles of fasting and prayer central to Ramadan. Some argue that it refers to the generosity of acts towards others during the month.

In conclusion, Eid al-Adha, the “Big Eid,” holds immense religious significance for Muslims worldwide. Its date varies each year due to its reliance on the lunar cycle. The festival is observed by sacrificing an animal and distributing its meat to the poor and family members. The traditional greeting of “Eid Mubarak” is a heartfelt expression of well wishes for a blessed celebration. As Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, they also embark on the sacred Hajj pilgrimage to the Kabba in Mecca, further amplifying the spiritual significance of this auspicious time.