celebrate this great day of Eid Al-Adha. Eid Al-Adha basically means,
'the festival of sacrifice inIslam'.
On this day, Muslims are reminded about that great trial, which
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) or Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was put to, of
sacrificing his young son Prophet Ismail (AS) or Prophet Ishmael
(PBUH). Prophet Ibrahim (AS) complied to the command of Allah (SWT)
and fully succeeded in it.
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is regarded as the champion of Monotheism.
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is one of themost favorite prophets ofAllah (SWT)
who is held him in very high esteem.
The Holy Quran speaks extensively about Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Infact
the name of Ibrahim has appeared in the Holy Quran 69 times. He has
been given many beautiful names and titles such as:
Khaleelullah (Friend of Allah)
Siddiq (The Truthful)
Nabi (The Prophet)
Imam (The leader)
Muslim (One who submitsto One God)
Haneef (A non-deviant Monotheist)
Ummah (A Nation)
The Great Trial of Sacrifice:
The story about the greattrial of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is an
interesting one and there are many lessons that can be derived from it
by those who believe in Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and claim to follow his
creed. To summarize what had transpired:
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) hadprayed to Allah (SWT) to grant him a son.
Allah (SWT) fulfilled his wish and gave him Prophet Ismail (AS) at
very old age.
"O God! Grant me with a righteous son. So We gave him the glad
tidingsof a forbearing son." (37:100-101)
When the child attained 13 years of age, Allah (SWT) commanded Prophet
Ibrahim (AS) in his dream to sacrifice himfor His sake.
"When he was old enough to assist in his endeavor, he said: 'My son! I
see in my dream that I am sacrificing you. See what you think?'"
(37:102)
Because it was the command from Allah (SWT), the righteous son
encouraged his old father to discharge his duty.
"He said: 'O Father! Do whatever you have been commanded. If Allah
wishes, you will find me to be patient." (37:102)
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) set out with his son Prophet Ismail (AS) to the
sacrificing spot. It was certainly not an easy task!
On the way, Shaytan or Satan appeared in a formof an old advising man.
He tried to stop Prophet Ibrahim (AS) from offering the sacrifice,
butbecause of the strong faith in Allah (SWT), Prophet Ibrahim (AS)'s
determination to comply with the command of his Creator could not be
shaken.
Shaytan then tried his luck with young Prophet Ismail (AS) and
persuade him to escape from his ill fate. As a result of his father's
invocation, Prophet Ismail (AS) was a righteous son and he too,could
therefore not be influenced.
Both, the father and the son chased Shaytan away. They then arrived at
the sacrificing spot at Mina.
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) tiedthe hands and the legs ofhis son so as not to
be perturbed by his pain and restlessness. He blindfolded himself and
carrying the knife enacted the command of Allah (SWT).
When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) removed his fold, he saw Prophet Ismail (AS)
by his side and in his place; a Ram lay slain before them. Prophet
Ibrahim (AS) trembled lest Allah (SWT) rejected his sacrifice.
Suddenly he heard a voice that was soothing:
"We called out to him: O Ibrahim! You have indeed fulfilled the
vision! Thus indeed We reward the virtuous. This indeed was a manifest
trial. Then We ransomed him with a great sacrifice, and We left
(thisblessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:
Peace be to Ibrahim." (37:104-109)
Lesson from the Great Trial of Sacrifice:
One of the things that theHujjaj (the pilgrims to thehouse of God for
Hajj) do on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, and so do many Muslims all over
the world is to:
Slaughter a lamb, or a sheep, or a goat or a camel in remembrance
ofthis great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
This act is not mere a ritual but it has a meaning and a significance.
Allah (SWT) has not commanded us tosacrifice animals because He (SWT)
is bloodthirsty or meat hungry.
In Suratul Hajj, verses 36 and 37, He (SWT) has made it clear:
"Thus we have disposed them (animals) for your benefit so that you may
give thanks." (22:36)
Then He (SWT) adds:
"It is not their flesh or their blood that reaches Allah. Rather it is
your piety that reaches Him. Thus has He disposed them for your
benefit so that you may magnify Allah for His guiding you. And give
good news to the virtuous." (22:37)
So what is the significance of offering sacrifice of animals on this
day of Eid Al-Adha?
The answer to this question is simple.
Allah (SWT) wants to trainus to follow the path of Prophet Ibrahim
(AS) who was willing to offer Allah (SWT) his dearest possession in
form of his son Prophet Ismail (AS).
Allah (SWT) did not want Prophet Ismail (AS) to be sacrificed, but
Allah (SWT)wanted Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to show his willingness to
sacrifice Prophet Ismail (AS), which he (AS) did bravely.
Dr. Ali Shari'ati in his book, 'Philosophy of Hajj'writes and I quote:
"This is a story of man's perfection and his freedom from selfishness
and animalistic desires. Itis man's ascension to a higher spirit and
loves, toa strong will that frees him from any thing that may hinder
his responsibility as a conscious man."
In other words, Allah (SWT) is telling us:
On this day of Eid Al-Adha, you should select your Ismail and bring
him to Mina! Who is your Ismail? Anything that is causing an
obstruction for you to reach your Lord and fulfill your duties towards
Him. Your Ismail could be:
Your wealth
Your job
Your rank
Your power
Your lust
Your greed
Your spouse
Your children
It could be anything and make sure that it is as dear to you as
Prophet Ismail (AS) was to Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
As you are sacrificing an animal on this day, bear in mind that you
are infact, sacrificing that dearest thing in your life and telling
Allah (SWT):
"O My Lord! Henceforth, this thing, which has been dearest to me in
life, will not hinder me from reaching You and acquiring Your
pleasure."
asked Shibli:
"As you slaughtered your sacrificial animal (during Hajj), did you
intend to cut off the throat of greed (that is hidden in you) by
clinging to the reality of Taqwa and to follow the exemplary tradition
of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) who intended to slaughter his dear son Prophet
Ismail (so as to discharge the command of Allah)?"
Shibli said, "No!"
"In that case" said the Imam Zainul Abideen (AS)"You have not
sacrificed your animal."
Similarly, whilst giving instructions to the Hujjaj (the pilgrims to
the house of God for Hajj) Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) said to them: "Cut
the throat of carnal desires and greed by offering animal sacrifice."
We pray to Allah (SWT) onthis great day of Eid Al-Adha to grant us
with tawfeeq to follow in the path of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and forgive
all our past and future sins.
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