Eid ul Adha Countdown 2026
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★ Eid ul Adha has passed. Eid Mubarak! May Allah accept your sacrifice. ★
What is Eid ul Adha?
Eid ul Adha (“Festival of Sacrifice”) is observed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. It honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. Before the sacrifice, Allah replaced Ismail with a ram, and Muslims worldwide commemorate this with the act of Qurbani (animal sacrifice).
The Day of Arafah
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah — the day before Eid ul Adha — is Yawm al-Arafah (Day of Arafah), considered the most sacred day of the Islamic year. Pilgrims performing Hajj gather on the plain of Arafah. For non-pilgrims, fasting on this day expiates the sins of two years. The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.” (Sahih Muslim)
When is Eid ul Adha 2026?
Eid ul Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah each year. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the Gregorian date shifts by approximately 10–11 days annually. The countdown above uses the Aladhan API to calculate the exact date. In 2026, Eid ul Adha is expected to fall in late May, subject to official moon sighting announcements in each country.
Qurbani: The Sacred Sacrifice
Qurbani (also called Udhiyah) is the slaughter of a livestock animal — typically a goat, sheep, cow, or camel — during the days of Eid ul Adha (10th, 11th, and 12th Dhul Hijjah). It is obligatory (Wajib) for every adult Muslim who possesses the nisab (minimum wealth threshold). The meat is divided into three parts: one third for the family, one third for relatives and friends, and one third for the poor and needy.
How to Observe Eid ul Adha
On the morning of Eid ul Adha, Muslims perform a full ritual bath (ghusl), wear their best clothes, and attend the special Eid prayer (Salat al-Eid) at the mosque or prayer ground. Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) is recited frequently from the Fajr of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah until the Asr of the 13th. After the Eid prayer, the Qurbani sacrifice is performed. Muslims are encouraged not to eat anything before the Eid prayer, unlike Eid ul Fitr where eating a sweet before prayer is Sunnah.
Eid ul Adha and the Hajj Pilgrimage
Eid ul Adha coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. While millions of Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid ul Adha at home, pilgrims are completing the rites of Hajj on the plains of Mina and Arafah. The Hajj countdown on our site tracks the dates of the full pilgrimage season, which begins in Dhul Hijjah alongside Eid preparations.
Frequently Asked Questions