Eid al-Adha 2026 falls on Saturday June 6 and continues through Tuesday June 9. Dhul Hijjah, the month of Hajj, begins at the end of May. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are among the most blessed days of the year, and the Day of Arafah falls on Friday June 5.
For Muslims around the world this is the second great Eid of the year. For my family in Northern Gaza in 2026, it is also a moment of severe scarcity. There will be no Qurbani slaughter for us. There will be no new Eid clothes for Ibrahim. There will be no roast meat on the table on Eid morning. We will pray Eid prayer and sit at home and try to make the day feel like Eid for the children.
If you are deciding where to direct your Qurbani contribution or your Eid sadaqah this year, this article asks you to consider sending it directly to a real family.
When Is Eid al-Adha 2026?
Eid al-Adha 2026 begins at sunset on Friday June 5 (the Day of Arafah) with the obligation to fast (recommended for non-pilgrims). Eid prayer and sacrifice begin Saturday morning June 6. The full Eid period including the days of Tashreeq runs through Tuesday June 9.
Dates depend on moon sighting and may shift by a day in some countries. Check with your local mosque or Islamic authority for confirmed dates in your region.
Qurbani 2026: Why Some Muslims Are Sending Cash Equivalent to Gaza Instead
Qurbani is the act of slaughtering a sheep, goat, or share in a cow or camel during the days of Eid al-Adha and distributing the meat. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, and Allah's substitution of a ram in his place.
Qurbani is sunnah muakkadah (strongly emphasized) for those who can afford it. The price of a sheep Qurbani in 2026 ranges from $150 to $300 depending on country and provider. A share of a cow or camel ranges from $90 to $200.
For Gaza specifically, the conventional Qurbani logistics have broken down. Animals are scarce, refrigeration is limited, and the supply chain that allows a charity to slaughter on your behalf in another country and distribute meat in Gaza is not reliably operational in 2026. Many Muslims have made the decision to either:
- Have their Qurbani performed in another country (where logistics work) and send a separate cash donation to a Gaza family
- Send the cash equivalent of their Qurbani directly to a Gaza family for them to use for Eid food
Both approaches are valid. Many scholars have spoken to the second option specifically in the context of Gaza, noting that direct cash to a starving Muslim family during the Eid al-Adha period fulfills the spirit of Qurbani in a uniquely meaningful way.
What $200 Becomes in Gaza on Eid al-Adha 2026
Eid al-Adha Cash Equivalent: What It Buys for One Gaza Family
$200 transforms Eid morning from another day of survival into a small celebration. Ibrahim opens a packet with a new shirt. There is a real meal on the table. The baby has formula. We make dua for whoever sent the money by name.
First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah: Daily Sadaqah
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are among the most rewarded days of the year for any righteous deed. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days."
Many Muslims plan a small daily sadaqah during this period. Sending $10 a day for 10 days to a Gaza family directly is one of the cleanest ways to make this practice tangible. The full $100 covers a meaningful share of the family's food for the Eid week.
Day of Arafah: A Specific Recommendation
The Day of Arafah (Friday June 5, 2026) carries the highest reward of the year for the supplications of Hajj pilgrims and the fasting of non-pilgrims. Many Muslims combine the day's fast with a sadaqah on the same day. If you are looking for a specific moment to send your Eid donation, the Day of Arafah is the moment many Muslims find most meaningful.
I will be making dua throughout the Day of Arafah for everyone who has helped my family this year. If you send a donation that day and include your name in the PayPal note, I will add you to that dua specifically.
Three Ways to Send for Eid 2026
- PayPal direct. The simplest. paypal.com donate link. No PayPal account required. Funds arrive same day.
- GoGetFunding. Public campaign with separate verification. goget.fund/3VfYThz.
- Crypto direct. BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT TRC20, or SOL. See donate-crypto page.
Send Your Eid al-Adha 2026 Donation Now
Direct to a verified Palestinian family in Northern Gaza. PayPal, GoGetFunding, or crypto. 100% reaches the family.
A Personal Eid Note from a Father in Gaza
Last Eid al-Adha was difficult. Ibrahim asked where the lamb was. We had a small chicken between four people and pretended it was the celebration meal. The baby was three weeks from being born. My wife and I sat on the floor of the apartment we are sheltering in and tried to make it feel like Eid.
This Eid will be similar in many ways. There is no lamb. There may not be chicken unless someone sends help. We will pray Eid prayer at the local mosque if conditions allow. We will come home and try to make the day mean something for the children.
If you can help us mean something to them this Eid al-Adha, I am asking you sincerely. May Allah accept your Qurbani and your sadaqah and reward you for it.