The Essence of Eid-ul-Adha

Eid ul Adha is in remembrance of Prophet Abraham’s (peace be on him) sacrifice to please his God. It occurs at the final step of the pilgrimage Muslims make to Mecca The religious festivity is to motivate moral and spiritual training, or upbringing, of the Muslim. Across the world this holiday will be celebrated on the 11th and the 12th of August.

The Qur’an tells us the story of how God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son., “And when he was old enough to run along with him, he said, `O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I offer thee in sacrifice. So consider what thou thinkest of it!’ He replied, `O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if God please steadfast in my faith.’ And when they both submitted to the Will of God, and Abraham had thrown him down on his forehead, We called to him `O Abraham thou hast indeed fulfilled the dream.’ Thus indeed do We reward those who do good’” (37:103-105)”.” Both Prophet Abraham (peace be on him) and his son, Ishmael (peace be on him), were willing to sacrifice life/son to keep God content with them. Their strong and unbreakable love for God and his Will is what is celebrated through sacrifice. This sacrifice of animal(s) is so significant, that God mentions: “Their flesh reaches not God, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him” (22:38).

Eid-ul-Adha is meant to spark moral, spiritual, and financial improvement through sacrifice. This act of sacrifice recalls how animals are inferior to man and therefore that he is inferior to God. As a result, it reminds us to be ready to sacrifice ourselves and our interests at all times for the sake of God Almighty. Keeping this in mind, we should all pray that we receive the true spirit of sacrifice in the presence of Eid-ul-Adha that Prophet Abraham has taught us. Ameen.

By Aiza Ahmad