Title: Regarding Eid Al-Adha Question: Please explain the significance of Eid ul Adha . Thank You Inayah United Kingdom Answer: Eid Al Adha (i.e. Ceremony of Sacrifice) is a rite performed by Muslims all over the world. Muslims perform this custom to follow the example of the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) who was readily prepared to sacrifice his son Ishmael (pbuh), in submission to God's directive. The significance of this practice is to glorify the Lord Almighty by giving up the most valued possession for His sake. It is a display of one's dedication to God and that nothing in one's life, or even life itself, supersedes following His path. It is a complete form of worship unto itself. This symbolic custom is one of the most magnificent forms of selfless devotion to the greatest purpose of all existence: the complete surrender to the Almighty. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) authorized and perpetuated this custom among his followers as a part of his Sunnah . As for the timing of this sacrifice and the custom of Eid , Moiz Amjad writes in his article ' General Muslim Customs and Traditions ': Through the last revelation of His guidance to man, God promulgated the two Eid days as religious celebrations. Both these celebrations, which God recognized and promoted in His final Shari`ah , through the Prophet (pbuh), are connected to the two most significant events of submission to God's will and piety. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated every year at the end of the month of Ramadhan (the month of fasting), on the first day of Shawwal (the month following the month of Ramadhan ), after the Muslims have completed the prescribed fasting during Ramadhan . Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10 th of Dhulhajj (the last month of the Muslim calendar, during which the Muslims undertake the pilgrimage of the Ka`bah ), in commemoration of the great sacrifice of Abraham (pbuh). I hope I have clarified the issue God knows best Ronnie Hassan February 17, 2003