Important prayers on Eid al-Adha: which dua to recite on the feast of sacrifice
At the end of May, Russian Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the two main Islamic holidays that marks the end of the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). The date of its celebration is determined by the lunar calendar and shifts annually relative to the Gregorian calendar. In 2026, it falls on May 26-30. On this holiday, believers remember the feat of the Prophet Ibrahim, gather in mosques to perform prayer and participate in the rite of sacrifice. For more information about the prayers and traditions of this day, see the Izvestia article.
The meaning of Eid al-Adha
The holiday is associated with the Islamic legend of the Prophet Ibrahim. One day, the angel Gabriel appeared to him in a dream and conveyed Allah's command to sacrifice Ismail's only and long-awaited son. Ibrahim loved his child, but he could not disobey God, so he decided to perform the ritual. He told his son about this, and he also humbly agreed to fulfill the will of Allah. When the prophet was ready to make a sacrifice, God, seeing his loyalty and obedience, replaced Ismail with a ram.
The name of the Eid al-Adha holiday (Arabic. Eid al-Adha) translates as "the feast of sacrifice." However, in Islam, the concept of "Kurban" is much broader than just the slaughter of an animal: it is the name given to everything that helps a person spiritually approach God.
The Quran says that it is not the flesh and blood of the victim that reaches the Almighty, but the piety and purity of the believer's intentions. Therefore, ritual sacrifice is considered primarily as a symbol of sincere faith, devotion and submission to Allah.
The Eid al-Adha holiday ends the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj is obligatory for every Muslim who has the physical and financial ability to perform it at least once in his life. From the point of view of Islam, the Hajj performed sincerely and correctly becomes the reason for the forgiveness of the believer's previous sins.
How is the festive prayer on Eid al-Adha?
The celebration of Eid al-Adha has a special significance in the life of every believer. According to Izvestia, the first imam of the Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque, Qadi Munir-hazrat Beyusov, preparations for the feast of sacrifice begin in a few days: women from among the parishioners wash the mosque's windows, men tidy up the territory. In the evening, on the eve of Eid al-Adha, men prepare festive clothes and buy groceries. In many villages, believers set off for the mosque on foot in the early morning, stopping every 50 m to pronounce the words of exaltation of the Almighty. They also give alms to those in need along the way.
— Verses are recited in the mosque before the beginning of the festive prayer (separate verses — Izvestia) The Venerable Koran, then all together offer prayers for those who died during the Great Patriotic War and during its Believers ask the Lord to send peace and tranquility to Russia," Kadiy said.
After reading the Quran, the imam addresses the parishioners with instructions, a collective festive prayer is performed, and then another canonical sermon is read in Arabic.
What prayer is recited on Eid al-Adha?
The main divine service of the holiday is the two-day festive prayer (Eid-namaz). It is performed in mosques or in specially designated areas shortly after sunrise, when the sun "rises above the ground to the height of one spear." The exact time is determined by the muftis of the region. So, in Moscow and the Moscow region, Eid prayer usually begins at 07:00. Prayer time continues until the sun approaches the zenith.
Separate surahs (chapters) are recited during the festive prayer The Koran. This is necessarily "al-Fatiha" ("Opening"), and also often the surah "al-A'la" ("The Most High"). According to Kadiy Beyusov, during Eid al-Adha, Muslims also refer to the surahs "al-Hajj" ("Pilgrimage") and "al-Qausar" ("Abundance"). The first contains instructions related to Hajj and monotheism, while the second mentions prayer and sacrifice for the sake of the Almighty.
Between the recitation of the surahs, takbirs are pronounced — words of praise to Allah. One of the most common forms of festive takbir is considered to be: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illa-Llah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar wa lillahil-hamd" ("Allah is Great, Allah is great! There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and to Allah belongs all praise!").
During the festive prayer, takbirs are said more often than in ordinary prayer. In many Muslim communities, they also continue to be read during the following days of the holiday.
Which dua should be read on Eid al-Adha?
Dua (prayer) must be said before slaughtering a sacrificial animal. It reads like this: "Bismil layahi wal laahu akbar. Allahumma minkya wa lak. Allahumma ta kabbalah minni." ("In the name of Allah Almighty, Allah is Great. O God, we receive these benefits from You and return them to You. O Allah, accept this [good deed] from me.")
In some cases, as the mufti of the Chelyabinsk region, Sheikh Vugar-Hazrat Akperov, told Izvestia, the name of Allah is simply pronounced over the sacrificial animal.: "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" (In the name of Allah, Allah is Great). Moreover, if this phrase is not pronounced, animal meat will not be considered permissible for consumption (Halal).
How to behave during sacrifice and prayer
During the festive prayer, according to Kadiy Beyusov, believers should observe modesty and treat others with respect — let the elderly go ahead, do not jostle and do not interfere with other parishioners. Before visiting the mosque, it is not recommended to smoke, as well as to use onions and garlic, so as not to cause discomfort to anyone with a pungent odor.
— With regard to sacrifice, it is necessary to choose a slaughterhouse, to arrange in advance that the slaughter should be carried out in strictly designated places. Slaughtering animals in public places is prohibited and is savagery," he stressed.
Only certain types of animals are suitable for sacrifice on Eid al-Adha: camels, cows and bulls, as well as small cattle — sheep, sheep, goats and goats. Birds, wild animals and other types of livestock are not used for the ceremony.
The sacrificial animal must reach the prescribed age: a sheep or ram — at least one year (in some cases, a large six—month—old ram is allowed), a goat — at least one year, a cow or bull - at least two years, a camel - at least five years.
The animal should have no obvious physical defects. A blind, sick, severely emaciated, lame or seriously injured animal should not be sacrificed. It is allowed to make a sacrifice only after the festive prayer. If the ceremony was performed earlier, the sacrifice is not counted. You can perform the ritual before sunset on the third day of the holiday.
The consumption of meat from a sacrificial animal is not canonically time-limited. According to tradition, it is divided into three parts: one is left to the family, the second is distributed to relatives and friends, and the third is donated as sadaqah (alms) to those in need. It is forbidden to sell the meat of a sacrificial animal, and it is also forbidden to pay the butcher with it.
After the ceremony, according to Kadiy Beyusov, it is customary to pray for deceased parents, relatives and friends.
Then the believers return home. In advance of the holiday, they usually buy gifts for their children, spouse, and parents. At home, the women prepare festive treats and wait for the men to return from the mosque, after which the whole family gathers for a common meal.
Over the next three days, it is customary to visit relatives, give gifts and share the joy of the holiday with loved ones.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
