The commencement of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, marks the beginning of the most important festival of the year for Muslims around the globe: Eid ul-Adha.
Sometimes known as Greater Eid or Eid al-Adha, Eid ul-Adha (“Festival of Sacrifice”) is a worldwide Islamic celebration in remembrance of Abraham’s obedience to Allah when he was asked to sacrifice his own son.
Throughout the multi-day festival, Muslims gather to participate in the symbolic animal sacrifice of Qurbani, communal prayers, and meals with loved ones. Additionally, Muslims provide the poor with food or money so that each person in the community can participate in the celebration.
With its focus on a well-known story to both Christians and Muslims, this Islamic holiday provides a few areas of common ground that can help Christians spark gospel conversations with their Muslim neighbors.
Eid ul-Adha
Eid ul-Adha is based on the Quran’s account of Abraham (known in Islamic tradition as Ibraham) acting in obedience to Allah when he was told to sacrifice his son. Although the Quran does not mention the name of Abraham’s son, many Muslims believe Abraham was asked to sacrifice Ishmael as opposed to Isaac, the son named in the Christian Old Testament.
As Abraham prepared for the sacrifice, Muslims believe Allah sent a ram as replacement for Abraham’s son at the last second, which Abraham then sacrificed in thanks to Allah's provision. As a symbol of this sacrifice, each able Muslim participates in Qurbani, an animal sacrifice to Allah that is seen as the most important sacrifice of the year.
Many rules exist within Islamic tradition about how Qurbani is to take place; the animals—which often include sheep, goats, and cows—must meet minimum age and health requirements before being sacrificed humanely. Muslims in non-Islamic countries have opportunities to sacrifice animals through approved slaughterhouses or make donations online for their Qurbani to be donated to countries in need.
Meat from Qurbani animals must be equally distributed into three parts; one-third can be used by the individual or family that provided the sacrifice, another third is distributed to their friends and family, and the final third is given to the poor.
In addition to Qurbani practices, Muslims gather as a congregation early in the morning on the first day of Eid ul-Adha for Eid prayer to thank Allah for his provision and greet each other with the phrase “Eid mubarak” (or “Blessed Eid”). Following Eid prayer, families and friends gather to share meals and celebrate together.
Gospel Opportunity
Although both Islam and Christianity are monotheistic, Abrahamic faiths, their beliefs about the nature of God and Allah differ tremendously. In Islam, Allah is distant and requires immense amounts of obedience in order to save people. In Christianity, God is accessible and compassionate. As stated in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Jesus is the sacrifice that God provided for our sins, much like the ram on the mountain that God provided for the sacrifice instead of Abraham’s son. Where Muslims celebrate this story to commend Abraham’s faithfulness to the work Allah called him to, Christians celebrate it as a foreshadowing of God’s future provision of the sacrifice we know as Jesus.
When you talk to Muslim friends about Eid ul-Adha, ask why the story of Abraham and his son is significant to them. Then ask if you can share why it is significant to you, too. They may be surprised to learn about our view of God and interpretation of Jesus as the provided sacrifice.
Learn more about sharing the gospel with Muslims.