udhiyah

Udhiyah, also spelled udhiyah or udhiya (Arabic: أضحية), is the ritual sacrifice performed by Muslims during Eid al-Adha. The term derives from the Arabic root for sacrifice and means an offering. The practice commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God; in Islamic tradition God provided a ram to sacrifice instead, and the event is observed with prayer and charitable acts.

Animals eligible for udhiyah include camels, cows or bulls, sheep, and goats. For a single family, one sheep or goat may suffice; larger animals can be shared among up to seven people—one cow or one camel may cover seven individuals. Animals should be healthy and without major defects, and must meet age requirements: sheep/goats at least one year old; cows/bulls at least two years old; camels at least five years old. Slaughter should be conducted in accordance with halal rules, after the Eid al-Adha prayer, with the name of God invoked; the cut should be swift to minimize suffering. Depending on local practice, some communities permit or regulate pre-slaughter stunning as allowed by law and scholarship.

After slaughter, the meat is traditionally divided into portions for different recipients: part for the family, part for relatives and friends, and part for the needy. In many communities, people donate all or part of the udhiyah to charity through mosques or organizations that distribute meat locally or overseas. The practice emphasizes charity, social solidari