The Story of Eid al-Adha - Ibrahim's Sacrifice
Learn the story behind Eid al-Adha and Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice.
Eid al-Adha celebrates the greatest test of faith in history! Prophet Ibrahim (AS) saw a dream where Allah commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (AS). Ibrahim told his son, and Ismail said: O my father, do as you are commanded! Both father and son were willing to obey Allah completely. As Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah replaced Ismail with a ram — a sheep. Allah was so pleased with their obedience that He made this event a celebration for all Muslims forever! Every year, on Eid al-Adha, Muslims who can afford it sacrifice an animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel) and share the meat with family, friends, and the poor. This teaches us: when Allah tests us, we should trust Him completely. Ibrahim's sacrifice shows that true faith means loving Allah more than anything — even more than our own children. That's why Ibrahim is called Khalilullah — the Friend of Allah!
Qur'an Verses
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ
Falamma balagha ma'ahu as-sa'ya qala ya bunayya inni ara fi al-manami anni adhbahuk
Translation: And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said: O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you.
Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said: It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ established that sacrificing on Eid al-Adha follows the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim. This connects every Muslim's sacrifice to the greatest act of faith in history.
Eid al-Adha celebrates Ibrahim's (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah. This teaches us to trust Allah completely. Every year, Muslims sacrifice an animal and share it with others, remembering Ibrahim's faith.
- 1.What did Ibrahim dream about?
- 2.What did Ismail say?
- 3.What did Allah replace Ismail with?
1. Did Ibrahim love Ismail?
2. Was Ibrahim willing to obey Allah?
3. Should we love Allah more than anything?
4. Is Ibrahim called the Friend of Allah?
5. Who do Muslims share the meat with?
6. Did the Prophet say this follows Ibrahim's Sunnah?
7. Is Eid al-Adha during Hajj?
8. Did Allah reward Ibrahim's obedience?
9. What do we learn from Ibrahim?
10. Should we share with the poor?
11. What did Ibrahim (AS) dream about?
12. Which Eid celebrates Ibrahim's sacrifice?
13. What do Muslims do on Eid al-Adha?
14. Was Ismail willing to be sacrificed?
15. What animals can be sacrificed?
16. Is obedience to Allah important?
17. Should we trust Allah like Ibrahim did?
18. What did Allah replace Ismail with?
19. Why did Allah test Ibrahim?
20. What does Udhiyyah mean?
21. What did Ismail say when told?
22. What does Ta'ah mean?
23. Is Eid al-Adha a celebration of faith?
24. Did the test show Ibrahim's faith?
25. Was Ibrahim's faith tested?
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