27.04.2026
If you have ever received an "Eid Mubarak" message and wondered which Eid it referred to — or if you have seen the phrase "Feast of Sacrifice" and want to understand how it differs from the Eid that follows Ramadan — this guide is for you. The two Eids are both sacred celebrations in Islam, but they are distinct in meaning, timing, and what they ask of Muslims.
The Two Eids at a Glance
Eid al-Fitr ("Festival of Breaking the Fast") follows the month of Ramadan and celebrates the end of fasting. It falls on the 1st of Shawwal.
Eid al-Adha ("Festival of Sacrifice" or "Feast of Sacrifice") commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah, and coincides with the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. It falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. Also known as Eid ul-Adha, Bakra Eid (in South Asia), or simply "the Big Eid" in many Muslim communities, it involves the ritual sacrifice of a livestock animal — Qurbani — and the distribution of fresh meat to family, neighbours, and those in need.
When Are They in 2026?
Eid al-Fitr 2026 fell on Sunday, March 29, 2026 — following the completion of Ramadan 1447 AH.
Eid al-Adha 2026 falls on Tuesday, May 27, 2026 — the 10th of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH. The Islamic calendar is lunar and moves approximately 10–11 days earlier relative to the Gregorian calendar each year, which is why the two Eids occur at different times each year and rotate through the seasons over a 33-year cycle.
What Is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan — the month of fasting, prayer, and increased spiritual devotion. It is a celebration of gratitude after 29 or 30 days of fasting from dawn to sunset.
The key religious obligations are the Eid prayer and the payment of Zakat al-Fitr — a mandatory charitable donation given before the Eid prayer on behalf of every member of the household. This ensures that those in need also have food to celebrate with on the day of Eid.
Eid al-Fitr is commonly called the "sweet Eid" because celebrations tend to centre on desserts and sweets. Children traditionally receive gifts (Eidi), families visit one another, and the mood is one of communal relief and gratitude after the discipline of Ramadan.
What Is Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha commemorates one of the most profound tests in Islamic tradition: when Allah commanded Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS), and Ibrahim (AS) submitted in full obedience — only for Allah to replace Ismail at the last moment with a ram, as a mercy and a sign that the trial was passed. The Quran narrates this story in Surah As-Saffat (37:99–111).
The festival coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims from across the world gather in Makkah. The 10th of Dhul Hijjah — the day of Eid al-Adha — is the day pilgrims complete the stoning of the Jamarat, shave their heads, and perform the Qurbani sacrifice as part of the Hajj rites.
For Muslims not performing Hajj, Eid al-Adha centres on the Eid prayer, the sacrifice of a livestock animal (Qurbani or Udhiyah), and the distribution of meat. It is often called "the Big Eid" (Eid al-Kabeer) — partly because of its longer celebration spanning four days (the 10th through the 13th of Dhul Hijjah) and partly because of the weight of its religious obligations.
This Eid al-Adha — the Feast of Sacrifice — make it count for a family. Give your Qurbani through Human Appeal across 41 countries.
Key Differences Between the Two Eids
What they commemorate: Eid al-Fitr marks the completion of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's (AS) test and submission — and, through Qurbani, the principle that abundance is meant to be shared.
Timing: Eid al-Fitr is on the 1st of Shawwal; Eid al-Adha is on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah — approximately two months and ten days later in the Islamic calendar.
Duration: Eid al-Fitr is a one-day celebration. Eid al-Adha spans four days: the 10th through the 13th of Dhul Hijjah (the Days of Tashreeq).
Key obligation: Eid al-Fitr involves Zakat al-Fitr. Eid al-Adha involves Qurbani. The Hanafi school holds Qurbani to be obligatory (wajib); the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools consider it a confirmed Sunnah.
Food traditions: Eid al-Fitr — sweet dishes, dates, desserts. Eid al-Adha — meat-centred meals: biryani, nihari, maqlooba, ouzi, and grilled kebabs, depending on cultural background.
Connection to Hajj: Eid al-Adha is directly tied to the Hajj pilgrimage. Eid al-Fitr has no specific connection to Hajj.
Qurbani: The Defining Act of Eid al-Adha
The Qurbani sacrifice is what distinguishes Eid al-Adha from all other Islamic occasions. Every eligible Muslim is required (Hanafi) or strongly recommended (majority schools) to give Qurbani on Eid al-Adha.
In many Muslim-majority countries, the sacrifice is performed locally. In the United States, UK, Canada, and other Western countries, most Muslims give Qurbani through charitable organisations that perform the sacrifice on their behalf in countries where the need is greatest — including Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and across sub-Saharan Africa.
The tradition of the three shares remains central: one-third for the family, one-third as gifts to relatives and neighbours, one-third to those in need. When given through charity, the entire portion goes to families in severe poverty. In 2025, Human Appeal distributed Qurbani to over 1.17 million beneficiaries across 20 countries. In 2026, the programme extends to 41 countries.
Eid al-Adha 2026 is May 27. Give your Qurbani through Human Appeal and provide fresh meat to a family celebrating the Feast of Sacrifice.
Sources
Quran: Surah As-Saffat (37:99–111) — the story of Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) and the test of sacrifice.
Quran: Surah Al-Kawthar (108:2) — "So pray to your Lord and sacrifice."
Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim: Narrations on the Eid prayers, Zakat al-Fitr, and the Qurbani sacrifice.
Imam al-Nawawi: al-Majmu' — on the Shafi'i position on Qurbani as Sunnah Mu'akkadah.
Ibn Qudama: al-Mughni — on the Hanbali position on Qurbani.
Human Appeal: 2025 Qurbani programme data — 1.17 million beneficiaries across 18+ countries.
