How to Pronounce Eid ul-Adha

Meaning and Context

Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two principal holy days in the Islamic calendar, celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, a pillar of Islam. The holiday profoundly commemorates the unwavering faith of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael), as an act of submission to God (Allah), who ultimately provided a ram to sacrifice instead. Central to Eid ul-Adha celebrations is the ritual of Qurbani, the sacrifice of a permitted animal such as a goat, sheep, cow, or camel. The meat from this sacrifice is thoughtfully divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy, emphasizing charity, community, and social equity. The day begins with special congregational Eid prayers at mosques or open grounds, followed by sermons, the exchange of gifts and greetings like "Eid Mubarak," and festive meals. This sacred Islamic holiday serves as a powerful reminder of devotion, obedience, and the importance of sharing blessings within the global Muslim community.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term has several accepted transliterations from Arabic, leading to common variations. The most widely recognized spelling in global English is Eid al-Adha, which follows a more standard transliteration. The form Eid ul-Adha is also very common, particularly in South Asian linguistic traditions, with "ul" representing the Arabic definite article. Other frequent variants include Id ul-Adha and Eid al-Adhaa. A frequent error is the misspelling "Eid al-Ada" or "Eid ul-Ada," which omits the crucial "h," thereby losing the meaning of "sacrifice." The word "Eid" (meaning festival) is also sometimes misspelled as "Eed" or "Id," the latter being an older transliteration that remains correct but less common in contemporary writing. Furthermore, the holiday is often referred to by descriptive names such as the Festival of Sacrifice, Greater Eid (contrasting with Eid al-Fitr, or "Lesser Eid"), or Bakrid, primarily in India and Pakistan. Consistency in using one form within a text is recommended for clarity, though all these variations refer to the same significant religious observance.

Example Sentences

After performing the Eid ul-Adha prayers at the local masjid, our family gathered to distribute the Qurbani meat, ensuring a portion was delivered to the neighborhood shelter.

Many Muslims save diligently throughout the year to be able to purchase a quality animal for sacrifice on Eid ul-Adha, fulfilling a sacred duty.

The spirit of Eid ul-Adha is deeply felt in the act of sharing; the joyous feast at home is made more meaningful knowing that the less fortunate in the community are also provided for.

Greetings of "Eid Mubarak" echoed through the video calls as we connected with relatives overseas who were observing the holiday.

The timing of Eid ul-Adha is determined by the lunar calendar, so its date on the Gregorian calendar shifts approximately 10-11 days earlier each year.

For the pilgrims in Mina, performing the ritual sacrifice is an integral part of their Hajj journey, directly linking their actions to the ancient story of Prophet Ibrahim.

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