أضحية
uḍḥiya
Qurbani in Arabic is أضحية (uḍḥiya).
أضحية is the animal sacrificed at the Muslim Festival of Sacrifice, usually a sheep, goat, cow or camel. Qurbani is the word Muslims in South Asia and Britain use for the same practice.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced uḍḥiya. The dotted letters stand for a heavy d sound and a breathy h made deep in the throat.
When do people say it?
The Arabic name of the festival comes from the same root as أضحية. The meat is shared among family, neighbours and people in need.
Did you know?
- In some Arabic-speaking cultures, it is a custom to avoid clipping the nails or cutting hair during the days of the festival until the أضحية has been sacrificed.
- While أضحية refers to the animal, the root word ضحى refers to the 'forenoon' or the time shortly after sunrise. This is because the animal is traditionally sacrificed during the morning hours of the festival.
- Though أضحية is the standard term, the Arabic language has a different word, قربان, for a general offering or sacrifice. The word 'qurbani' used in South Asia is actually derived from this more general term rather than أضحية.
Examples in context
- أريد شراء أضحية هذا العام.urīdu shirā'a uḍḥiyya hādhā al-ʿām.I want to buy a qurbani this year.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Sara are discussing preparations for Eid.
- سارة Saraهل اشتريت أضحية العيد يا أحمد؟hal ishtarayta uḍḥiyyat al-ʿīd yā aḥmad?Did you buy the Eid qurbani, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، لقد اخترت أضحية ممتازة.naʿam, laqad ikhtartu uḍḥiyya mumtāza.Yes, I chose an excellent qurbani.
- سارة Saraهذا رائع، هل هي جاهزة؟hādhā rāʾiʿ, hal hiya jāhiza?That is great, is it ready?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، ستصل إلى المنزل غداً.naʿam, satasilu ilā al-manzil ghadan.Yes, it will arrive at the house tomorrow.
