Quranic Verses on Eid al-Adha
There are numerous verses in the Quran that relate to Eid al-Adha and the practice of sacrifice. Some of these verses include:
- Allah -the Almighty- states: (And when he was old enough to walk with him, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So, see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient.” And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.)
- Allah -the Almighty- says: (So that they may witness and benefit from the sacrifices for them and mention the name of Allah on specified days for what He has provided for them of animals. So eat from them and feed the needy and the poor.)
- Allah -the Almighty- declares: (And for every nation, We have appointed a rite that they may mention the name of Allah on what He has provided for them of animals. Your God is one God, so to Him submit. And give good tidings to the humble.)
- Allah -the Almighty- instructs: (Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], Al-Kawthar; so pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].)
- Allah -the Almighty- states: (Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. He has no partner, and this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.”)
- Allah -the Almighty- reminds: (Say, “In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy—let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.”)
Hadiths About Eid al-Adha
Several hadiths discuss Eid al-Adha, including the following:
- Aisha, Mother of the Believers -may Allah be pleased with her-, narrated that Abu Bakr entered upon her while the Prophet -peace be upon him- was with her on the day of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, and there were two girls singing about the events of the Battle of Buas. Abu Bakr said, “The flute of Satan?” This occurred twice. The Prophet -peace be upon him- responded, “Let them be, O Abu Bakr. Every nation has an Eid, and this is our Eid today.”
- Al-Bara bin Azib -may Allah be pleased with him- said: I heard the Prophet -peace be upon him- giving a sermon, and he said: (The first thing we begin our day with is prayer, then we return to sacrifice. Whoever does this has acted according to our Sunnah.)
- Anas bin Malik -may Allah be pleased with him- reported that in the days of ignorance, the people had two days for festivities every year. When the Prophet -peace be upon him- arrived in Al-Madina, he said, “You had two days for games, and Allah has given you better than them: the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha.”
- The Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him- said: (The greatest days in the sight of Allah are the Day of Sacrifice and the Day of Al-Fitr.)
Hadiths About Sacrifice
There are several hadiths regarding the act of sacrifice, including:
- Anas bin Malik -may Allah be pleased with him- stated: (The Prophet -peace be upon him- would sacrifice two rams, and I would also sacrifice two.)
- The Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him- said: (Whoever intends to sacrifice should not cut their hair or nails once the crescent of Dhul-Hijjah is sighted until they have made the sacrifice.)
- Anas bin Malik -may Allah be pleased with him- narrated: (The Prophet -peace be upon him- sacrificed two rams that were both horned and of a white colour, slaughtering them with his own hands while mentioning the name of Allah and saying Allahu Akbar, and he placed his foot on their sides.)
- The Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him- remarked: (There is nothing that the son of Adam does on the Day of Sacrifice that is more beloved to Allah than the shedding of blood. It will arrive on the Day of Resurrection with its horns, hair, and hooves. And indeed, the blood will reach Allah before it reaches the ground, so let your hearts be content with it.)