The final month in the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah, began today, May 18, 2026, after the crescent moon was spotted in Saudi Arabia. During the month, many Muslims will observe the first 10 days in worship and celebrate Eid al-Adha, while others plan to start their Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
Here’s the date of Eid al-Adha as confirmed by Saudi Arabia, what it celebrates, and its importance to roughly 2 billion Muslims worldwide.
When is Eid al-Adha 2026? Saudi Arabia confirms date
The 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar is Dhul Hijjah; Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah. Saudi Arabian moonspotters have confirmed that Eid al-Adha will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
According to the Quran, Eid al-Adha commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, for the sake of God, but God stopped him and sent a ram to be sacrificed instead.
Eid al-Adha is the second major Islamic holiday of the year, taking place after Eid al-Fitr. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, which helps determine and predict the occurrence of Islamic months and holidays.
What do Muslims do on Eid al-Adha?
Fasting for the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah is strongly encouraged, according to Islamic Relief. The fast ends on Eid al-Adha, the 10th day of the month. It may feel strange for Muslims who fasted the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah to eat during daylight hours, but it is forbidden for Muslims to fast on Eid al-Adha.
Similar to Eid al-Fitr, Muslims wake up early in the morning on Eid al-Adha to begin preparing food and getting ready to attend mandatory Eid prayers at local mosques.
On Eid, Muslims will follow the way of the Prophet Muhammad, also known as Sunnah in Islam. Sunnah is followed every day, not only on Eid.
Sunnahs on Eid include taking a bath or shower in the morning, wearing one’s best clothes and perfume, taking a different path home from attending Eid prayer, or saying “Takbeer” (“Takbir”) to praise God on the way to Eid prayers. Muslims will hug their friends and family and greet them with “Eid Mubarak,” meaning “blessed festival” in Arabic.
Friends and families typically gather in their homes and eat delicious food together, and children will receive money as gifts, also known as ‘Eidi’.
Specifically for Eid al-Adha, Muslims are encouraged to participate in Qurbani.
What is Qurbani, the Eid al-Adha sacrifice?
Qurbani, meaning sacrifice, is the slaughtering of a permitted animal, reflecting the sacrifice that Prophet Abraham was willing to make. Goats, cows, sheep, lambs and camels are some of the animals permitted to be sacrificed.
It is mandatory to give one-third of the meat to the needy. One-third goes to friends and family, and the last third to oneself. Many Muslims will go to slaughterhouses that practice zabiha (the permissible method in Islam for slaughtering animals) for their Qurbani sacrifice, or donate to charities with Qurbani projects giving to those in need.
Unlike Ramadan, fasting during these nine days is not mandatory. However, it is highly encouraged to fast, as it is Sunnah (the way of the Prophet), especially on the ninth day, called Yawm al-Arafah.
Muslims are forbidden from fasting on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, as Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day.
What is the importance of Dhul Hijjah for Muslims?
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are a time for Muslims to focus on strengthening their faith, according to Islamic Relief. After the holy month of Ramadan, these 10 days are considered a second chance during the Islamic calendar to repent and attain blessings.
The ninth day, known as Yawm al-Arafah, signifies the day on which God perfected Islam and approved it as a way of life. Muslims are highly encouraged to fast and focus on worship on this specific day.
During Dhul Hijjah, other Muslims who are able will perform Hajj, an obligatory spiritual journey, at the Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia. Hajj begins on the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah, lasting for five to six days, and is expected to fall between May 25 and 30.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Saudi Arabia confirms Eid al-Adha 2026. Exact date and why it’s important
Reporting by Mariyam Muhammad, USA TODAY NETWORK / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
