On Eid al-Adha, Muslims demonstrate their obedience to Allah by sacrificing an animal. The holiday is inspired by a story from the Quran that is also known to Christians and Jews.
Ibrahim's Sacrifice
The Quran tells the story of the prophet Ibrahim who Allah (God) commands to kill his son, Ismail, to prove his obedience. As Ibrahim prepares for the sacrifice, Allah replaces Ismail with a ram to be slaughtered in his stead.
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, is a commemoration of Ibrahim’s act of obedience and his willingness to follow God’s command without question.