A Complete Guide to Eid Al Adha in Oman

Eid Al Adha is expected to be celebrated this year from August 21st – August 25th in Oman. The dates may however differ and will only be confirmed closer to the time. This religious holiday is celebrated approximately 70 days after Ramadan on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar.

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The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar with only 355 days. This is why Eid Al Adha falls on a different date every year. The exact date of the holiday on the Gregorian calendar is determined by the position of the moon.

Eid al Adha is celebrated in remembrance of prophet Ibrahim’s (PBUH) devotion and obedience to Allah when Allah asked him to sacrifice his son Ishmael.

Ibrahim took his son, Ishmael, to sacrifice him to Allah upon Allah’s request. Allah wanted to test Ibrahim’s faith and see how devoted Abraham is to Him. Just before Ibrahim was about to kill Ishmael, Allah stopped him and provided a lamb to be sacrificed in the place of Ishmael.

This is why Eid Al Adha is also known as the “Festival of the Sacrifice” or “Feast of the Sacrifice”.

Arafat Day is considered the day on which prophet Muhammed (PBUH) gave his last sermon on mount Arafat before he passed away. On this day prophet Muhammed announced that the faith is now perfected.

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Arafat day is always on the second day of Hajj. The morning is spent travelling from mount Harafah to Arafah and in the afternoon, from noon till sunset pilgrims pray to Allah asking forgiveness for their sins.

If you aren’t performing Hajj then Muslims are encouraged to fast on this day. It is believed that if you fast on Arafat day, all your minor sins for the past year and the next year will be forgiven.

Islam has five pillars on which the religion is based and all Muslims need to abide by these five pillars to be a devoted follower of Allah. These pillars of Islam are: the Shahada (declaration of faith), Salah (praying five times a day), offering Zakāt (giving to charity), Sawm (fasting, especially during the holy month of Ramadan) and lastly Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca.

“Hajj” means pilgrimage in Arabic. The pilgrimage must occur two days before Eid Al Adha in order for it to be considered Hajj, else it is known as a “lesser” pilgrimage or “Umrah.”

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While in Mecca, there are a number of tasks that need to be performed by pilgrims. These tasks include:

• Walking seven times around the Kaaba termed Tawaf
• Touching the Black Stone termed Istilam
• Traveling seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah termed Sa'yee
• Symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina termed Ramee

These acts are to symbolise their unity with other believers and to pay tribute to Allah.

Muslims are expected to perform Hajj at least once in their life if they are physically able and have the financial means to do so. Muslims who are however not performing Hajj are encouraged to fast on Arafat day. They are further also encouraged to spend time with their family and friends, donate money to the poor and to slaughter a sheep or goat. The meat from the animal is then given to the poor to eat.

During Eid, it is also customary to give gifts to the children.

The Hajj pilgrimage lasts five days. Eid Al Adha is celebrated during the last three days of Hajj. On the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Adha is celebrated from the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah till the 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca as it is considered a holy city. They can however celebrate Eid Al Adha by fasting on Arafat day and buying gifts for their Muslim friends and colleagues.

There are often also firework displays that you can enjoy with friends and families.

Both Eid holidays have their own unique greetings to say to your friends, family and colleagues in the Oman. Here are some greetings and phrases that you can say to your Muslim friends:

• "Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair." meaning "May every year find you in good health"
• "Eid Mubarak" meaning "Blessed Eid”
• "Eid Saeed" meaning "Happy Eid"
• "Taqabbala Allahu minna wa minkum" meaning "May Allah accept from us, and from you."
• "As-Salam-u-Alaikum" meaning "Peace be unto you."