The first Eid al-Adha was celebrated in 2 AH. It was observed in Medina after the Hijrah, when Eid al-Adha became one of Islam’s two annual festivals alongside Eid al-Fitr.
Eid al-Adha falls on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Its timing connects the festival with the Hajj: pilgrims complete major rites around this date, including sacrifice and the stoning ritual at Mina. Muslims elsewhere mark the day with congregational prayer, charitable giving, and an animal sacrifice when financially able.
The festival recalls Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son. In Islamic tradition, God provided a ram instead, making sacrifice a symbol of devotion, obedience, and gratitude rather than a human offering.
A common mix-up is confusing Eid al-Adha with Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr, in 1 Shawwal, follows Ramadan; Eid al-Adha comes about two months later, on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, both festivals move through the Gregorian calendar each year.