Eid Ul adha 2025 Moon Sighting: Dhul Hijjah crescent sighted in Saudi Arabia; here's WHEN the festival will be celebrated in India
Eid ul-Adha is one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar. Celebrated by Muslims all across the globe, the festival is a time of prayer, togetherness, and remembrance. Like other Muslim festivals, the exact day of Eid ul-Adha is determined by the sighting of the moon. Let's find out more about the holy festival..
What is Eid ul-Adha?
Eid ul-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," is a religious holiday that commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his own son as an act of obedience to God. According to Islamic history, just as Ibrahim was about to carry this out, God intervened and gave a ram (sheep) to him to instead sacrifice.
This act of devotion is now celebrated as "Eid ul-Adha", where muslims all across the world, sacrifice an animal, typically a goat on this day. The meat from the sacrifice is then shared among family, friends, and those in need, symbolizing generosity and compassion, and the desire to help one and all.
Hajj pilgrimage
This year, Hajj is slated to begin from June 04, 2025 while the Day of Arafah — the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage — will fall on Thursday, June 05, 2025, followed by Eid-ul-Adha on Friday, June 06, 2025. In India, Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated the next day, that is June 7.
How is Eid ul-Adha Celebrated?
Eid ul-Adha is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Muslims all over. The celebrations typically last for three to four days and involve various traditions and customs. Let's take a look..
Prayers
The day begins with special Eid prayers held in mosques and open spaces. Muslims gather early in the morning to offer prayers and listen to various sermons about the importance of sacrifice, faith, and community. The atmosphere is filled with joy and gratitude, as people come together to learn all about sacrifice, sharing and the importance of helping those in need.
Sacrifice
After the prayers, the act of sacrifice is performed. Families who can afford to do so sacrifice an animal in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice. The animal must be healthy and meet certain requirements outlined in Islamic law.
The meat from the sacrifice is then divided into three parts: one part is for the family, one part is for relatives and friends, and one part is for the poor and needy. This sharing of meat is a central part of Eid ul-Adha, emphasizing charity and compassion.
Feasting and Gatherings
Eid ul-Adha is a time for feasting and celebration. Families prepare special meals and invite relatives and friends to share in the festivities. Homes are decked up, and people dress in their finest clothes to meet friends and family. It is a time for laughter, joy, and strengthening bonds with loved ones, and at the same time, giving back to the society.
Charity
Charity and giving are important aspects of Eid ul-Adha. Muslims are encouraged to donate to those in need and to help the less fortunate on this day.
Moon Sighting and the Date of Eid ul-Adha
Unlike holidays that have fixed dates on the Gregorian calendar, the date of Eid ul-Adha is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, with each month beginning with the sighting of a new crescent moon.
Eid ul-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. The exact date is determined by the sighting of the new moon, which marks the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Traditionally, Muslims look for the new moon on the 29th day of Dhu al-Qadah, the eleventh month of the Islamic calendar. If the moon is sighted, the new month of Dhu al-Hijjah begins the next day, and Eid ul-Adha is celebrated ten days later. If the moon is not visible, Dhu al-Qadah lasts for 30 days, and Dhu al-Hijjah begins on the following day.
Why Moon Sighting Matters
The practice of moon sighting is a significant tradition in Islam. It connects Muslims to their faith, history, and the natural world. It is a beautiful reminder of the importance of observation, patience, and community.
What is Eid ul-Adha?
Eid ul-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," is a religious holiday that commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his own son as an act of obedience to God. According to Islamic history, just as Ibrahim was about to carry this out, God intervened and gave a ram (sheep) to him to instead sacrifice.
This act of devotion is now celebrated as "Eid ul-Adha", where muslims all across the world, sacrifice an animal, typically a goat on this day. The meat from the sacrifice is then shared among family, friends, and those in need, symbolizing generosity and compassion, and the desire to help one and all.
Hajj pilgrimage
This year, Hajj is slated to begin from June 04, 2025 while the Day of Arafah — the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage — will fall on Thursday, June 05, 2025, followed by Eid-ul-Adha on Friday, June 06, 2025. In India, Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated the next day, that is June 7.
How is Eid ul-Adha Celebrated?
Eid ul-Adha is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Muslims all over. The celebrations typically last for three to four days and involve various traditions and customs. Let's take a look..
Prayers
The day begins with special Eid prayers held in mosques and open spaces. Muslims gather early in the morning to offer prayers and listen to various sermons about the importance of sacrifice, faith, and community. The atmosphere is filled with joy and gratitude, as people come together to learn all about sacrifice, sharing and the importance of helping those in need.
Sacrifice
After the prayers, the act of sacrifice is performed. Families who can afford to do so sacrifice an animal in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice. The animal must be healthy and meet certain requirements outlined in Islamic law.
The meat from the sacrifice is then divided into three parts: one part is for the family, one part is for relatives and friends, and one part is for the poor and needy. This sharing of meat is a central part of Eid ul-Adha, emphasizing charity and compassion.
Feasting and Gatherings
Eid ul-Adha is a time for feasting and celebration. Families prepare special meals and invite relatives and friends to share in the festivities. Homes are decked up, and people dress in their finest clothes to meet friends and family. It is a time for laughter, joy, and strengthening bonds with loved ones, and at the same time, giving back to the society.
Charity
Charity and giving are important aspects of Eid ul-Adha. Muslims are encouraged to donate to those in need and to help the less fortunate on this day.
Moon Sighting and the Date of Eid ul-Adha
Unlike holidays that have fixed dates on the Gregorian calendar, the date of Eid ul-Adha is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, with each month beginning with the sighting of a new crescent moon.
Eid ul-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. The exact date is determined by the sighting of the new moon, which marks the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Traditionally, Muslims look for the new moon on the 29th day of Dhu al-Qadah, the eleventh month of the Islamic calendar. If the moon is sighted, the new month of Dhu al-Hijjah begins the next day, and Eid ul-Adha is celebrated ten days later. If the moon is not visible, Dhu al-Qadah lasts for 30 days, and Dhu al-Hijjah begins on the following day.
Why Moon Sighting Matters
The practice of moon sighting is a significant tradition in Islam. It connects Muslims to their faith, history, and the natural world. It is a beautiful reminder of the importance of observation, patience, and community.
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