EXPLAINER: What is Eid'l Adha?

Malacañang has declared May 27, 2026, Wednesday, a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of the Eid'l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

Republic Act No. 9849 declares the 10th day of Zhul Hijja, the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar, a national holiday in observance of Eid'l Adha, with a movable date.

“Eidul Adha is a tenth day in the month of Hajj or Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca wherein Muslims pay homage to Abraham’s supreme act of sacrifice and signifies mankind’s of obedience to God,” the law stated.

Eid'l Adha is the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. It is marked with festivity and sharing, the University of the Philippines (UP) Institute of Islamic Studies said.

Muslims remember the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim on the day Eid'l Adha by also giving their own sacrifice: Qurbani.

“The Holy Qur’an narrates that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) saw in his dream, God commanding him to sacrifice his first-born child Ismail. This was God’s way to test Prophet Ibrahim’s faith and obedience [...] Surely, this act of obedience elevated Prophet Ibrahim’s status as the ‘father of faith’ a claim both affirmed in the Islamic and Christian narratives,” said UP Institute of Islamic Studies.

“It goes beyond family affairs as Muslims see it as an opportunity to hold community get-together activities characterized by the ritual of Udhiya or Qurban. Udhiya or Qurban is the slaughtering of goat or cow in commemoration of the act of Prophet Ibrahim (AS),” the institute added.

Performed shortly after sunrise on the first morning of the festival, the Eid al-Adha prayer is a special communal service.

“It consists of two rakahs and includes extra takbeerat (saying “Allahu Akbar”) at the start of each rakah. The number of takbeerat can vary depending on your madhab, so follow your Imam,” according to the Islamic Relief.

“Before the prayer, its Sunnah to do Ghusl, wear your best clothes, and recite takbeer on your way. The Khutbah (sermon) follows the prayer, and one should stay and listen.”

Eid'l Adha is celebrated for three days. It will begin on the evening of Tuesday, May 26 and end on Friday, May 29. — BAP, GMA News