{"id":26003,"date":"2026-05-13T11:26:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T09:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/al-dirassa.com\/en\/?p=26003"},"modified":"2026-05-13T11:28:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T09:28:02","slug":"eid-al-adha-arabic-vocabulary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/al-dirassa.com\/en\/eid-al-adha-arabic-vocabulary\/","title":{"rendered":"Eid al-Adha Arabic Vocabulary: The Essential Words to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Eid al-Adha Arabic Vocabulary: The Essential Words to Know<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Educational\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Eid al-Adha is one of the richest celebrations in Islam \u2014 rich in meaning, in traditions, and in Arabic vocabulary<\/strong>. Every word spoken on this day carries a history, a root, a depth that is not always immediately apparent. Whether you want to better understand what you hear at the mosque, explain the celebration to your children in Arabic, or simply deepen your relationship with the language of the Quran, this article gives you the essential words \u2014 with their Arabic script, pronunciation, and real meaning.<\/p>\n\n

Why Learn the Arabic Vocabulary of Eid al-Adha?<\/h2>\n\n

It is easy to forget, but Arabic is not an ordinary language for a Muslim. It is the language in which Allah revealed His message. Every Islamic term \u2014 whether a greeting formula, a ritual name, or the word for an animal of sacrifice \u2014 carries precise semantics, rooted in centuries of tradition and scholarship.<\/p>\n\n

Learning the vocabulary of Eid is therefore a two-for-one investment: you immerse yourself in the celebration while laying the first bricks of a broader linguistic journey. Many adult learners report that it was words heard at Eid or during Ramadan that first sparked their desire to study Arabic more seriously.<\/p>\n\n

The Foundational Words: Naming the Celebration Itself<\/h2>\n\n

\u0639\u0650\u064a\u062f\u064c \u2014 Eid (celebration, feast)<\/h3>\n\n

The word \u0639\u0650\u064a\u062f\u064c (Eid)<\/strong> comes from the root \u0639\u064e\u0648\u0652\u062f\u064e<\/em> \u2014 “to return.” Eid is that which returns, that which repeats: a cyclical celebration, a recurring moment of joy and gratitude. In Arabic, this word designates any major Islamic feast.<\/p>\n\n

\u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u0636\u0652\u062d\u064e\u0649 \u2014 Al-Adha (the morning sacrifice)<\/h3>\n\n

The official name in Classical Arabic is \u0639\u0650\u064a\u062f\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u0636\u0652\u062d\u064e\u0649 (Eid al-Adha)<\/strong>. The word Adha<\/em> derives from \u0623\u064e\u0636\u0652\u062d\u064e\u0649<\/em>, referring to the time of the morning sacrifice \u2014 the hour after sunrise when the immolation is traditionally performed.<\/p>\n\n

\u0643\u064e\u0628\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064c \u2014 Kabir (great, noble)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0643\u064e\u0628\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064c (Kabir)<\/strong> means “great” in the sense of grandeur, importance, and nobility. The name used in the Maghreb and among Francophone communities \u2014 “A\u00efd al-K\u00e9bir” \u2014 therefore translates as “the great celebration,” as distinct from Eid al-Fitr, often informally called “the small Eid” in some cultures.<\/p>\n\n

The Vocabulary of the Sacrifice<\/h2>\n\n

The sacrifice is at the heart of this feast. Here are the essential Arabic terms to understand all its dimensions.<\/p>\n\n

\u0623\u064f\u0636\u0652\u062d\u0650\u064a\u064e\u0651\u0629 \u2014 Udhiyya (the sacrificial animal)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0623\u064f\u0636\u0652\u062d\u0650\u064a\u064e\u0651\u0629 (Udhiyya)<\/strong> is the technical term for the animal sacrificed during Eid al-Adha. This is the word you will hear in khutbas, fiqh classes, and scholarly discussions. It should not be confused with Hady<\/em>, which refers specifically to the animal sacrificed by a pilgrim at Mecca during Hajj.<\/p>\n\n

\u0630\u064e\u0628\u0652\u062d\u064c \u2014 Dhabh (Islamic slaughter)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0630\u064e\u0628\u0652\u062d\u064c (Dhabh)<\/strong> refers to the act of slaughtering the animal according to Islamic rules: invoking the name of Allah, with a swift, precise cut that severs the throat. It is the root of the word Dhabiha<\/em>, widely used in the context of halal meat.<\/p>\n\n

\u0628\u0650\u0633\u0652\u0645\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647\u0650\u060c \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647\u064f \u0623\u064e\u0643\u0652\u0628\u064e\u0631\u064f \u2014 Bismillah, Allahu Akbar<\/h3>\n\n

The formula pronounced at the moment of the sacrifice is:<\/p>\n\n

\n

\u0628\u0650\u0633\u0652\u0645\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647\u0650\u060c \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647\u064f \u0623\u064e\u0643\u0652\u0628\u064e\u0631\u064f<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bismillah, Allahu Akbar \u2014 In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

This formula is obligatory for the sacrifice to be valid according to the consensus of Islamic scholars.<\/p>\n\n

\u062e\u064e\u0631\u064f\u0648\u0641\u064c \u2014 Kharuf (sheep \/ ram)<\/h3>\n\n

\u062e\u064e\u0631\u064f\u0648\u0641\u064c (Kharuf)<\/strong> is the standard Arabic word for a sheep or young ram. It is the most commonly sacrificed animal during Eid al-Adha, particularly in France, the Maghreb and West Africa.<\/p>\n\n

\u0628\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0629\u064c \u2014 Baqara (cow)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0628\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0629\u064c (Baqara)<\/strong> means “cow” \u2014 a word Quran readers will instantly recognise as the title of the second surah, Al-Baqara. A cow may be sacrificed on behalf of seven people, making it a practical option for several families who wish to share the sacrifice.<\/p>\n\n

\u0625\u0650\u0628\u0650\u0644\u064c \u2014 Ibil (camel)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0625\u0650\u0628\u0650\u0644\u064c (Ibil)<\/strong> refers to the camel \u2014 a noble animal in Arabic and Islamic tradition. Like the cow, a camel may be sacrificed on behalf of seven people. This practice remains more common in the Arabian Peninsula and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n\n

The Vocabulary of the Eid Prayer<\/h2>\n\n

\u0635\u064e\u0644\u0627\u0629\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u0650\u064a\u062f\u0650 \u2014 Salat al-Eid (the Eid prayer)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0635\u064e\u0644\u0627\u0629\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u0650\u064a\u062f\u0650 (Salat al-Eid)<\/strong> is the specific prayer performed on both Eids. It consists of two rak’at with additional takbirat, followed by a sermon (khutba).<\/p>\n\n

\u062a\u064e\u0643\u0652\u0628\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064c \u2014 Takbir (proclamation of Allah’s greatness)<\/h3>\n\n

\u062a\u064e\u0643\u0652\u0628\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064c (Takbir)<\/strong> comes from the root \u0643\u064e\u0628\u064f\u0631\u064e<\/em> \u2014 “to be great.” It is the act of saying Allahu Akbar<\/em>. In the days surrounding Eid, takbirat are repeated frequently \u2014 especially after every obligatory prayer, from Fajr on the day of Arafah to Asr on the last day of Tashreeq.<\/p>\n\n

\u062e\u064f\u0637\u0652\u0628\u064e\u0629\u064c \u2014 Khutba (sermon)<\/h3>\n\n

\u062e\u064f\u0637\u0652\u0628\u064e\u0629\u064c (Khutba)<\/strong> is the sermon delivered by the imam after the Eid prayer. Listening to the khutba is considered strongly recommended by the vast majority of scholars.<\/p>\n\n

\u0645\u064f\u0635\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0651\u0649 \u2014 Musalla (open-air prayer ground)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0645\u064f\u0635\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0651\u0649 (Musalla)<\/strong> designates an outdoor prayer space \u2014 often a park, stadium, or large rented hall. In many cities with significant Muslim populations, the Eid prayer takes place in a musalla to accommodate the large number of worshippers.<\/p>\n\n

The Vocabulary of Supplications and Greetings<\/h2>\n\n

\u062a\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0628\u064e\u0651\u0644\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647\u064f \u0645\u0650\u0646\u064e\u0651\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652\u0643\u064f\u0645\u0652 \u2014 Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum<\/h3>\n\n

The most authentic Eid greeting:<\/p>\n\n

\n

\u062a\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0628\u064e\u0651\u0644\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647\u064f \u0645\u0650\u0646\u064e\u0651\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652\u0643\u064f\u0645\u0652<\/strong><\/p>\n

May Allah accept from us and from you.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

The verb \u062a\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0628\u064e\u0651\u0644\u064e (taqabbala)<\/strong> comes from the root \u0642\u064e\u0628\u0650\u0644\u064e<\/em> \u2014 “to accept, to receive.” This is a supplication, not a simple pleasantry.<\/p>\n\n

\u062f\u064f\u0639\u064e\u0627\u0621\u064c \u2014 Du’a (personal supplication)<\/h3>\n\n

\u062f\u064f\u0639\u064e\u0627\u0621\u064c (Du’a)<\/strong> refers to personal supplication addressed to Allah \u2014 distinct from the salat (ritual prayer). Eid is a blessed day on which du’as are particularly answered, according to several narrations from the prophetic tradition.<\/p>\n\n

\u0628\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0643\u064e\u0629\u064c \u2014 Baraka (divine blessing)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0628\u064e\u0631\u064e\u0643\u064e\u0629\u064c (Baraka)<\/strong> is one of the most beautiful words in the Arabic language. It denotes divine blessing \u2014 a grace that spreads, that multiplies, that increases the good wherever it touches. To say “Eid Mubarak” (\u0639\u064a\u062f \u0645\u0628\u0627\u0631\u0643) is to wish that the celebration be filled with baraka.<\/p>\n\n

The Vocabulary of Sharing and Solidarity<\/h2>\n\n

\u0635\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0629\u064c \u2014 Sadaqa (voluntary charity)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0635\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0629\u064c (Sadaqa)<\/strong> refers to voluntary giving, distinct from zakat (obligatory almsgiving). Eid is a time of intense generosity: distributing the meat of the sacrifice to the poor, sharing with neighbours, helping families in need \u2014 all of these acts fall under sadaqa.<\/p>\n\n

\u0644\u064e\u062d\u0652\u0645\u064c \u2014 Lahm (meat)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0644\u064e\u062d\u0652\u0645\u064c (Lahm)<\/strong> simply means “meat.” On the day of Eid, tradition holds that the meat of the sacrifice is divided into three portions: one for the family, one for friends and neighbours, one for those in need. This division embodies the profound social dimension of the celebration.<\/p>\n\n

\u0623\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0627\u0631\u0650\u0628\u064f \u2014 Aqarib (relatives, extended family)<\/h3>\n\n

\u0623\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0627\u0631\u0650\u0628\u064f (Aqarib)<\/strong> refers to one’s close relatives \u2014 parents, cousins, aunts, uncles. Eid is above all a time of family visits, reconciliations, and the strengthening of bonds. In Arabic, this is called silat al-rahim<\/em> (\u0635\u0650\u0644\u064e\u0629\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0631\u064e\u0651\u062d\u0650\u0645\u0650) \u2014 literally “maintaining the ties of the womb” \u2014 a practice that Islam deeply values.<\/p>\n\n

A Reference Summary to Help You Remember<\/h2>\n\n