Eid al-Adha 2026

Date: Wednesday May 27, 2026 (10 Dhul Hijja 1447 AH) — confirmed astronomically in Saudi Arabia.
Day of Arafah: Tuesday May 26, 2026.
Eid Prayer: Two rak'ahs after sunrise and before Dhuhr, with additional takbeers.
Qurbani: A confirmed Sunnah for those who are able.

What is Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha — the Festival of Sacrifice — is one of the two great celebrations of Islam, observed on the 10th of Dhul Hijja every Hijri year. It is also known as the "Greater Eid" or "Eid al-Kabir".

It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to Allah's command. Allah ransomed him with a great ram, as the Quran states: "So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice [to Him alone]" (Al-Kawthar: 2).

Eid al-Adha coincides with the completion of Hajj and unites Muslims worldwide in shared acts of worship: the Eid prayer, Qurbani, takbeer, and family ties.

Eid al-Adha 2026 Date

According to astronomical calculations by the Egyptian National Research Institute of Astronomy and the Saudi Umm al-Qura calendar, the Day of Arafah is Tuesday May 26, 2026, and the first day of Eid al-Adha is Wednesday May 27, 2026 — corresponding to 10 Dhul Hijja 1447 AH.

Note: These are astronomical dates. Official confirmation may differ by one day in countries that rely on physical moon sighting.

By Country

• Saudi Arabia: Astronomically confirmed — Wednesday May 27, 2026.
• United States: The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and ISNA follow astronomical calculation — Eid al-Adha expected on Wednesday May 27, 2026.
• Canada: Follows FCNA astronomical calculation — Wednesday May 27, 2026.
• United Kingdom: Typically follows the Hilal Committee moon sighting. Expected on Wednesday May 27, though it may fall on Thursday May 28 depending on the local sighting announcement.
• Pakistan: Follows local moon sighting — the date may differ by one day from Saudi Arabia. Official announcement expected from the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee around May 16–17, 2026.
• Indonesia / Malaysia: Both countries follow their national moon sighting authorities (BMKG in Indonesia, JAKIM in Malaysia). Eid al-Adha expected on Wednesday May 27, subject to official confirmation.
• UAE: Official holiday from Sunday May 25 to Thursday May 29, 2026 (mid-term and Eid break combined).
• Egypt: The National Research Institute of Astronomy confirms Arafah on May 26 and Eid on May 27.
• Other countries: May vary by one day depending on local moon sighting.

The Story of Ibrahim — The Spiritual Meaning of Qurbani

The story of Eid al-Adha is not merely a historical event — it is a timeless spiritual lesson in obedience and trust in Allah. Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) saw in a dream that he was slaughtering his son Ismail. When he resolved to carry out the command, Allah called out to him:

"O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good." (As-Saffat: 104–105)

And Allah ransomed Ismail with a great sacrifice. The Quran reveals the profound truth behind the ritual:

"Their meat will not reach Allāh, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good." (Al-Hajj: 37)

What this teaches us: true submission to Allah means acting without hesitation. The sacrifice is a symbol of taqwa — not the blood itself.

The Virtue of the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijja

Allah swore by these days in the Quran: "By the dawn, and [by] ten nights" (Al-Fajr: 1–2). The Prophet ﷺ said about them:

Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these days," referring to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. They said: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?" He said: "Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, except that of a man who goes out (to Jihad) with his self and his property but returns with none of them."
[Authentic] — [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud, this is the wording of Abu Dawud] — [Sunan Abi Dawud — 2438]

He ﷺ also said about the day of Eid itself:

Narrated Abdullah ibn Qurt: The Prophet ﷺ said: "The greatest day in Allah's sight is the Day of Sacrifice, then the Day of al-Qarr (the day of rest — the 11th of Dhul Hijja)."
[Sahih — authenticated by al-Albani] — [Sunan Abi Dawud — 1765]

Recommended Acts in the Ten Days

• Fasting Arafah day (May 26): Expiates the sins of two years for those not performing Hajj — confirmed in Sahih Muslim.
• Dhikr, Tahmid, Takbeer, Tahleel: Increase remembrance of Allah in all states.
• Reciting the Quran: Aim to complete a full reading in these ten days.
• Giving charity: Some scholars consider it the best act in these days.
• Sincere repentance: Repentance is a condition for all acts of worship to be accepted.
• Refraining from cutting hair and nails if intending to sacrifice — see FAQ for the scholarly discussion.

Takbeer in the Ten Days — Unrestricted & Restricted

Takbeer during Eid al-Adha is established by the Quran, Sunnah and scholarly consensus. Allah says: "And remember Allāh during [specific] numbered days" (Al-Baqarah: 203), and: "and mention the name of Allāh on known [i.e., specific] days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor." (Al-Hajj: 28). Ibn Qudama, al-Nawawi, Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Rajab all recorded scholarly consensus on its recommendation.

Takbeer has two types:

• Unrestricted Takbeer (Mutlaq): From the beginning of Dhul Hijja until sunset of the last day of Tashreeq (13th Dhul Hijja) — at any time, in any state. Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah would go to the marketplace during the ten days saying takbeer aloud, and the people would join them.
• Restricted Takbeer (Muqayyad): After every obligatory prayer, from Fajr of Arafah day until Asr of the 13th Dhul Hijja. This is the position of the Hanbali school and was chosen by Ibn Baz, Ibn Uthaymin, al-Nawawi, Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Hajar.

The wording of Takbeer:

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَللهِ الْحَمْدُ

Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar
Lā ilāha illallāhu wallāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar walillāhil hamd

Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest.
There is no god but Allah, and Allah is Greatest. Allah is Greatest, and to Him belongs all praise.

Narrated from Ibn Mas'ud — authenticated by al-Albani in Irwa' al-Ghalil (3/125)

Ibn Umar would say takbeer in Mina throughout those days — after prayers, on his bed, in his tent, in his gathering and while walking — all those days without exception.

Eid al-Adha Prayer — Rules & How To

The Eid prayer is one of the most visible acts of Islamic worship.

Time: Begins approximately 15–20 minutes after sunrise and extends until just before Dhuhr.

Number of rak'ahs: Two.

Additional Takbeers:

• First rak'ah: 7 additional takbeers before reciting Al-Fatiha.
• Second rak'ah: 5 additional takbeers before reciting.
• (The exact number varies by school of thought — follow your imam.)

Narrated Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would say the takbeer seven times in the first rak'ah and five times in the second rak'ah on the day of Eid al-Fitr and on the day of Eid al-Adha."
[Sahih — authenticated by al-Albani] — [Sunan Abi Dawud]

Khutbah (sermon): Delivered after the prayer — this is what distinguishes Eid prayer from Jumu'ah. Listening to it is a confirmed Sunnah.

Recommended Acts Before the Prayer

• Performing ghusl (full ritual bath) and wearing one's best clothes.
• Eating after the prayer, not before (opposite to Eid al-Fitr).
• Saying takbeer on the way to the prayer ground.
• Taking one route to the musalla and returning by another.
• Women attending the Eid prayer — Umm Atiyya (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:

"We have been ordered to come out on the Day of Eid, even bring out the virgin girls from their houses and the menstruating women; so they would say Takbīr along with them, invoke Allah along with them; hoping for the blessings of that day and its purification."
[Authentic] — [Narrated by Al-Bukhari — No. 971, and Muslim — No. 890]

Check prayer times in Makkah and Madinah for the precise sunrise time on the day of Eid.

Qurbani — Who Must Sacrifice & How to Distribute

Who is it for?

Qurbani is a confirmed Sunnah according to the majority of scholars (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali) and obligatory according to the Hanafi school. It applies to every Muslim who is adult, free, resident and possesses wealth beyond their basic needs on the day of Eid.

Those who cannot afford it: There is no sin on them — Islamic rulings are built on ability. Allah says: "So fear Allah as much as you are able" (At-Taghabun: 16). No one should go into debt they cannot repay for the sake of Qurbani.

Eligible Animals

How to Distribute the Meat

The recommended division is three equal thirds:

• One third for the family (to eat and store).
• One third for relatives and neighbours (as a gift).
• One third for the poor and needy (as charity).

Slaughter window: Begins after the Eid prayer and ends at sunset on the 13th of Dhul Hijja (last day of Tashreeq) — four days in total.

Sharing One Qurbani for the Whole Household

The Sunnah confirms that one sheep suffices for a man and his entire household. It was narrated on the authority of 'Ataa' ibn Yasaar that he said: I asked Abu Ayyub al-Ansari about the manner in which they used to offer Udhiyah during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he said:

"A man would sacrifice a sheep on behalf of himself and his household, and they would eat some and give some to others, until people started to do it out of boastfulness and it became as you see now."
[Sahih] — [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah — Ibn Majah No. 3147]

For a household to share one Qurbani, three conditions apply:

1. Shared residence: They must live under the same roof.
2. Family relation: There must be a bond of kinship between them.
3. Shared expenses: Either they pool their money together, or one person covers the cost with others contributing to related expenses.

Abu Ayyub noted that people later began competing with each other over Qurbani — so it became a custom for each person to slaughter separately. That is permissible, but not obligatory.

What to Say When Slaughtering

Recommended wording:

Bismillah, Allahu Akbar
(In the name of Allah, Allah is Greatest)

Saying "Bismillah" alone is also sufficient. There are four cases regarding the utterance at slaughter:

1. Mentioning Allah's name: The meat is halal by scholarly consensus. "Eat of that over which the name of Allah has been mentioned" (Al-An'am: 118).
2. Deliberately omitting it: The meat is haram by scholarly consensus. "Do not eat of that over which Allah's name has not been mentioned — that is indeed sinful" (Al-An'am: 121).
3. Omitting it out of ignorance: Disputed — the precautionary position is not to eat it, as one is expected to learn.
4. Omitting it by forgetfulness: The majority of scholars consider the meat halal, since Allah has lifted the burden of sin in cases of genuine forgetfulness.

Important: It is not permissible to mention any name other than Allah's at slaughter — not alongside it, and certainly not instead of it. Slaughtering for other than Allah is an act of shirk. Allah says: "Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allāh, Lord of the worlds.'" (Al-An'am: 162).

Sunnah Acts & Etiquette of Eid al-Adha

Before the Prayer

• Perform ghusl, apply perfume and wear your best clothes.
• Say takbeer from the Fajr of Arafah day through to the Asr of the last day of Tashreeq.
• Do not eat before the Eid prayer (eat from your Qurbani when you return).

After the Prayer

• Maintain family ties — visit relatives and loved ones.
• Exchange Eid greetings.
• Bring joy to orphans and those in need.

Nubaisha al-Hudhali reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The days of Tashreeq are the days of eating and drinking."
[Sahih Muslim — No. 1141]

Eid Greetings

Exchanging greetings on Eid is an established Sunnah from the Companions. The most common expressions:

• "Taqabbala Allahu minna wa minkum" — May Allah accept from us and from you. This is the most authentic Sunnah greeting, used by the Companions themselves.
• "Eid Mubarak" — Blessed Eid. The most widely used across the Muslim world.
• "Eid Sa'id" — Happy Eid.
• "Eid al-Adha Mubarak" — More formal, suitable for messages and correspondence.

The best greeting is one accompanied by a sincere du'a: "Taqabbala Allahu minna wa minkum salih al-a'mal."

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Eid al-Adha 2026?

Astronomically, Wednesday May 27, 2026 is the first day of Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia (10 Dhul Hijja 1447 AH). The date may differ by one day in countries that rely on local moon sighting.

Is it allowed to cut hair or nails in the first ten days of Dhul Hijja?

There is scholarly disagreement:

• The Hanbali school and Dhahiris consider it prohibited for those intending to sacrifice, based on a hadith narrated by Umm Salama in Sahih Muslim.
• The majority (Maliki, Hanafi and most scholars of Madinah) consider it permissible or merely disliked, based on a hadith from Aisha that the Prophet ﷺ sent his sacrificial animal and did not refrain from anything Allah had made permissible.

The matter has flexibility. Each person may follow what their heart is at ease with.

How many days does Eid al-Adha last?

Officially four days: the day of Eid (10 Dhul Hijja) and the three days of Tashreeq (11, 12, 13 Dhul Hijja).

Is fasting allowed on Eid al-Adha?

No. Fasting on Eid al-Adha is strictly forbidden, as confirmed in both Sahih Bukhari and Muslim. However, fasting the Day of Arafah (May 26) is strongly recommended for those not performing Hajj.

What is the difference between Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr comes at the start of Shawwal after Ramadan and celebrates the completion of fasting. Eid al-Adha comes on 10 Dhul Hijja and is connected to Hajj and the legacy of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). On Eid al-Adha, eating is recommended after the prayer; on Eid al-Fitr, before it.

Is Qurbani obligatory or Sunnah?

The Hanafi school considers it obligatory for those who are able. The majority of scholars (Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) consider it a confirmed Sunnah. Those who genuinely cannot afford it are not sinful — Islamic rulings are based on ability.

Can one Qurbani cover the whole household?

Yes — one sheep suffices for a man and his household, as was the practice in the time of the Prophet ﷺ. Three conditions apply: shared residence, family relation, and shared expenses. See the full details in the section above.

When does the Qurbani slaughter time end?

The stronger scholarly opinion is that it ends at sunset on the 13th of Dhul Hijja — four days in total. Slaughtering before the Eid prayer is not valid as Qurbani.

Is Eid al-Adha a public holiday in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

Yes. In Saudi Arabia, the private sector holiday begins on the Day of Arafah and extends for four days. In the UAE, the official holiday runs from Sunday May 25 to Thursday May 29, 2026 (combined mid-term and Eid break).

How do mosques organize the Eid prayer?

Mosques need to coordinate several things: setting the prayer time, preparing the imam and khutbah, securing a large enough space or open-air musalla, and notifying the community in advance. Apps like Masjidbox make it easy to manage these details and send announcements to the community.

Sources

 

• Prayer Times in Makkah — Masjidbox
• Prayer Times in Madinah — Masjidbox
• Hadith on virtue of the ten days — "No days in which deeds are more beloved to Allah" — Encyclopedia of Hadith
• Hadith on the Day of Sacrifice — "The greatest day in the sight of Allah is the Day of Sacrifice" — Dorar
• Hadith on slaughter after prayer — "Whoever slaughters after the prayer, his sacrifice is complete" — Dorar