‘Eid’l Ad-ha, otherwise known as the great event of sacrifice, is recognized by Islam as the second great festival next to ‘Eid’l Fitr (the Feast of Nature or Self-Purification). This occurs on the day following the Hajj, the 10th day of the lunar month of Zul-Haj of the Hijrah Calendar. This is celebrated by the Muslim world-wide in commemoration of the fulfillment of one religious pillar and obligation, known as Hajj or Pilgrimage.

The Muslims’ preparation for and during the ‘Eid’l Ad-ha is similar to the preparation of ‘Eid’l Fitr and Jum’ah Prayers. A bath must be taken; new if not elegant clothes if available must be worn, and scent may be applied especially for men. The Muslim must appear as neat, clean and tidy in rejoicing and thanksgiving. The main acts of this occasion are the recital of Takbeer Mursal, Salaatul ‘Eid’l Ad-ha and the sacrifice of an animal preferably sheep or goat and the like.

The spirit of sacrifice is an inherent part of Islam. Through sacrifice, we can truly learn to love Allah (swt), to live and die for Him. We need to attain greater heights of sacrifice and self-discipline to succeed in seeking His pleasure while walking on our personal way to Him. Every act of sacrifice nourishes our Imaan for it transforms a verbal confession into a living reality.

Sacrifice means giving up of things which are valued or desired. Those things may be tangible, countable like out time, wealth or life or intangible, immeasurable like our feelings, attitudes, opinions or aspirations. They are given up for the sake of something that is more worthy or more urgent to us (Qur’an 6:162). Without sacrifice, our lives would be devoid of harmony and cooperation, full of conflict, a prey to self-centeredness and immediate gratification of desires.

To understand what true sacrifice is, it would be enough for us to ponder the selfless response of Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihisalam) when he heard the extraordinary call of Allah (swt) to willingly give up his greatest love and hope for the future, his son for His sake. In view of the ardent wish of Prophet Ibrahim (alaihisalam) to construct the First House of Allah (swt), he made a solemn promise that should he be given a chance to have a child, he would offer it for sacrifice. Years thereafter, his second wife Hajar became pregnant. Consequently, a baby boy was born. Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihisalam) named the first begotten child Ishmael.

At the time when Ishmael (Alaihisalam), who had grown up to become a young boy of 13, began to learn the tender love and care of his father and mother, a message from Heaven was inspired unto Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihisalam) commanding him to fulfill his avowed promise. Allah (swt) ordered Ibrahim (Alaihisalam) to sacrifice his only son Ishmael (Alaihisalam). He did this to examine Prophet Ibrahim’s (Alaihisalam) patience and obedience to Allah (swt).

As an act of obedience and faithfulness to the commandment of Allah (swt), Prophet Ishmael and his mother Hajar never protested. Instead, they completely submitted spontaneously their faith to the will of the Divine Providence. It was indeed a great test of faith and a decisive moment of history. Between the love for his first child and love for Allah (swt), Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihisalam) preferred the latter.

Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihisalam) took his son to the Mina (the place of sacrifice), sharpened the knife and then binding Ishmael’s (Alaihisalam) hands and legs, and laid him with his face towards the ground. He then raised his head towards the heaven and placed the knife on his son’s throat. But as he did so, he realized that the knife did not cut. Looking at it, he noticed that the sharp knife had turned blunt. This occurrence was repeated several times, when suddenly a heavenly voice was heard saying:

“O! Ibrahim, Indeed, You have acted as you had dreamt and have complied with the commandment given to you”.

As a substitute for the sacrifice of Ishmael (Alaihisalam), Jibraeel (Alaihisalam) brought a goat which Ibrahim (Alaihisalam) had subsequently sacrificed. In recognition of this great and momentous episode, this day was declared by Allah (swt) as a landmark festival of all the Muslims in the world. From here, it becomes a custom that those performing the Hajj every year should offer a sacrifice at Mina.

One of the distinct features of the ‘Eid’l Ad-ha Festival is the sacrifice of an animal. This has both religious and historical significance in the evolution and transformation of the history of mankind. The act of sacrifice and the animals to be sacrificed is clarified by Allah (swt) when He says:

“For every community We have prescribed a way of sacrifice so that the people (of that community) should pronounce the name of Allah over the cattle which He has provided for them, (but one and the same object underlies all the different ways). So your piety is one diety: surrender to Him alone. And, O Prophet, give good news to those who adopt a humble way, whose hearts are filled with awe when Allah is mentioned before them: who endure with fortitude any affliction that befalls them: And who establish Salah and expend of what We have given them” [22:34-35].

 

	1. Written by Sir on 31-12-2007 03:01 - Guest
	Thanks Good if you can continue writing an article like this. We are very thankful to your religious works

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