In Islamic tradition, Eid al-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail.
The story describes Ibrahim’s readiness to obey God’s command. Before the sacrifice occurred, God provided a ram instead, making the event a story of faith, obedience, and divine mercy. Muslims remember this episode during Eid al-Adha, the festival associated with the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Quran recounts the sacrifice story without naming the son explicitly. However, Islamic tradition and most Muslim interpretation identify him as Ismail, while Jewish and Christian traditions generally identify the son as Isaac. This difference is a common point of comparison among the Abrahamic religions.
During Eid al-Adha, many Muslims who can afford it perform qurbani, the ritual sacrifice of a permitted animal. The meat is commonly divided among the household, relatives and friends, and people in need. Eid al-Adha begins on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.