id-ul-adha
LowFormal, Religious
Definition
Meaning
The Islamic 'Festival of Sacrifice', commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
A major annual Islamic festival marking the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage, involving communal prayers, the ritual sacrifice of an animal (usually a sheep, goat, cow, or camel), and the distribution of meat to family, friends, and the poor.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is specific to Islamic religious context. It is also known as 'Eid al-Adha' or 'Bakrid' in some regions. The festival's date is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Id-ul-Adha' is a common transliteration, alongside 'Eid al-Adha'. In American English, 'Eid al-Adha' is more prevalent. The spelling 'Id' vs. 'Eid' reflects different transliteration conventions.
Connotations
The term carries identical religious and cultural connotations in both varieties. It is associated with themes of faith, obedience, charity, and community.
Frequency
Frequency is similar in both varieties, used primarily in contexts discussing Islam, world religions, multicultural events, or news reports about Muslim communities.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Muslims/We/They] celebrate Id-ul-Adha [by sacrificing an animal].Id-ul-Adha falls on [the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable; the term is a proper noun for a specific festival.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in HR contexts for holiday schedules or in marketing for festive sales targeting Muslim communities.
Academic
Used in religious studies, anthropology, or cultural studies discussing Islamic practices and festivals.
Everyday
Used by Muslims and non-Muslims when referring to the holiday, e.g., in greetings, discussing plans, or news.
Technical
Used in Islamic theology and jurisprudence (fiqh) regarding the rules and rituals of the Hajj and Udhiyah (sacrifice).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The community will gather to observe Id-ul-Adha.
American English
- Families across the city are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Adha.
adjective
British English
- The Id-ul-Adha prayers were held at the local park.
American English
- They sent out Eid al-Adha greeting cards to their friends.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Id-ul-Adha is a big Muslim holiday.
- People wear new clothes on Id-ul-Adha.
- My neighbours are celebrating Id-ul-Adha tomorrow.
- During Id-ul-Adha, families often share meat with the poor.
- The date of Id-ul-Adha shifts each year according to the lunar calendar.
- The sermon during the Id-ul-Adha prayer often reflects on the story of Prophet Ibrahim.
- The socio-economic impact of Id-ul-Adha includes a significant surge in livestock markets and charitable donations.
- Theological discussions surrounding Id-ul-Adha examine the symbolism of the sacrifice beyond its literal interpretation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I'd do all for God' as a reminder of Ibrahim's sacrifice, linking to 'Id-ul-Adha'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SACRIFICE IS OBEDIENCE; FESTIVAL IS COMMUNITY RENEWAL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like 'Праздник жертвы' without context, as it may sound overly literal or archaic. The standard Russian term is 'Курбан-байрам'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Id-ul-Ada', 'Eid ul Adha' (inconsistent hyphenation).
- Confusing it with 'Id-ul-Fitr' (the festival after Ramadan).
- Incorrect capitalisation (e.g., 'id-ul-adha').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary religious narrative associated with Id-ul-Adha?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they refer to the same Islamic festival. 'Id-ul-Adha' and 'Eid al-Adha' are different transliterations of the Arabic name.
It is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Gregorian date changes every year.
The main ritual is the Qurbani or Udhiyah—the sacrifice of a halal animal, such as a sheep, goat, or cow. The meat is divided into three parts: for the family, for relatives and friends, and for the poor and needy.
The sacrifice is obligatory (wajib) for Muslims who meet specific criteria of financial ability. Those who cannot afford it are not required to perform it.