Eid al-Adha 2026 in the UK: predicted date
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. For 1447 AH, astronomical projections place 1 Dhul Hijjah on Tuesday 19 May 2026, making 10 Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha) Wednesday 27 May 2026 in the UK.
The actual date will be confirmed by Saudi Arabia's moon sighting committee in late Dhul Qa'dah 1447 AH (mid May 2026). Most UK mosques follow the Saudi sighting; some follow local UK sighting, which may shift Eid by one day.
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The four Days of Sacrifice (Ayyam an-Nahr)
The valid window for slaughter is four days according to the majority of scholars (Shafi'i, Hanbali) or three days according to the Hanafi and Maliki schools. The four days for 2026 are:
| Day | Date | Hijri |
|---|---|---|
| Day of Sacrifice (Yawm an-Nahr) | Wed 27 May 2026 | 10 Dhul Hijjah |
| First Day of Tashreeq | Thu 28 May 2026 | 11 Dhul Hijjah |
| Second Day of Tashreeq | Fri 29 May 2026 | 12 Dhul Hijjah |
| Third Day of Tashreeq (Shafi'i / Hanbali only) | Sat 30 May 2026 | 13 Dhul Hijjah |
For UK donors using the Hanafi position, the last day to slaughter is sunset on Friday 29 May 2026. For the Shafi'i and Hanbali positions, the last day is sunset on Saturday 30 May 2026.
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When does the Qurbani window start each day?
The window begins after the Eid prayer on day one (10 Dhul Hijjah). For day two and onwards, slaughter is permitted from sunrise until sunset.
For UK donors giving Qurbani through a charity in another country, the time zone of the country of slaughter applies, not UK time. Charities coordinate their slaughter schedules to fall within the valid global window.
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Day of Arafah 2026
The Day of Arafah is Tuesday 26 May 2026 (9 Dhul Hijjah). This is the day on which Hajj pilgrims gather at the plain of Arafah for the standing (Wuquf) and is the most blessed day in the Islamic calendar.
For UK Muslims not performing Hajj, fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous and coming year (Sahih Muslim 1162). Fast follows local UK sunrise to sunset.
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Last day to pay your Qurbani
Most UK Qurbani charities close their books 24 to 48 hours before Eid to allow logistics teams to pre-allocate animals to donors. Recommended deadlines:
- Pay before the Day of Arafah (26 May 2026) to receive named photo feedback
- Pay before midday on Eid (27 May 2026) for guaranteed processing within the window
- Last-minute payments before the Eid prayer are accepted but cannot guarantee named attribution
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Why dates may shift
Three reasons dates may shift by one day:
1. Moon sighting: Saudi Arabia confirms by sighting committee on 29 Dhul Qa'dah evening 2. UK local sighting: Some UK mosques sight independently 3. Country of slaughter: Some Muslim-majority countries follow their own sighting
If the moon is sighted on Mon 18 May 2026, Eid will fall on Tue 26 May. If sighted on Tue 19 May, Eid will fall on Wed 27 May. The Day of Arafah and Tashreeq dates will shift accordingly.
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Recommended timeline for UK donors
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Now (any time before Eid) | Pay Qurbani to lock in cheapest pricing |
| Mon 11 May 2026 | First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah begin: increase dhikr |
| Tue 26 May 2026 | Day of Arafah: fast and make dua |
| Wed 27 May 2026 | Eid al-Adha: pray Eid, slaughter Qurbani |
| Sat 30 May 2026 | Last day of valid window |
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Action
Pay your 2026 Qurbani now to lock in early-bird pricing across 33 countries. Your animal is allocated, named and confirmed before the Day of Arafah.
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Related reading
- Cheapest Qurbani 2026 guide
- The Ultimate Qurbani
- Qurbani for parents who passed away
- Qurbani 2026 Hub
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