Udhiyah

Udhiyah is the classical Arabic term for the animal sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha. It is derived from the Arabic root "d-h-y" meaning "to sacrifice in the morning." The term Qurbani, commonly used in South Asian communities, is derived from the Arabic "qurban" meaning "to draw near to Allah." Both terms refer to the same act of worship.

Udhiyah in Classical Islamic Scholarship

The term Udhiyah appears extensively in the books of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). The major classical works - Al-Hidayah (Hanafi), Al-Umm (Shafi), Al-Mudawwanah (Maliki), and Al-Mughni (Hanbali) - all dedicate chapters to the rulings of Udhiyah.

In contemporary English-speaking Muslim communities, Qurbani is the more commonly used term, particularly among South Asian communities. Both words refer to exactly the same act of worship.

Related Terms

Further Reading