EID UL ADHA
– THE FEAST OF EVERGREEN SACRIFICE!
It’s that time of the year again where believers around the globe celebrate the reminiscence of the great pontiff of humanity, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the legend of his eternal sacrifice. ‘Eid ul Adha’ is the festival where the hearts of believers rejoice in the fullness of taqwa and tranquility. In the blessed land of Makka, when their brothers and sisters devote themselves in the rituals of Hajj as taught by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), they declare solidarity by celebrateing Eid at their countries, reciting Thakbeer and fasting on the day of Arafah. They sacrifice animals following the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH).
Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), who was described as the ‘companion of Allah’ and the ‘leader of Humanity’, is a rare personality respectfully remembered by millions of Muslims, Christians and Jews. One of his peculiarity is that he was able to overcome all trails of worldly life with his belief, morality and mindedness to sacrifice. No temptation or provocation could refrain him from the way of his Lord. Quran recounts many occasions where the rigidity of his belief was tested. In each and every of these instances, he remained unflappable and immovable. The unswerving hope that even if everyone oppose and alienate, success comes only with Allah’s help and support, was his strength and shelter.
When he affectionately advised his father to worship Allah alone and to refrain from worshipping idols – the way of satan, it was a very drastic response that he received.He (the father) said: “Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim (Abraham)? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you.” (Qura’n 19:46). Ibrahim was neither upset with this reply and raged at his father nor he thought of adjusting his belief with that of his father dreading the isolation he would be in without the support from his dear ones. Quran mentions his response to his father, clarifying both his firm stand in his belief and the gratitude towards father.
“Ibrahim (Abraham) said: “Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious. And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah. And I shall call on my Lord; and I hope that I shall not be unblest in my invocation to my Lord.” (Qura’n 19:47-48). Ibrahim’s (PBUH) life afterwards bear witness that those who invoke only Allah in their supplications and do not associate anyone else with him, will have a blessed and fortunate life.
Quran recalls the incident where Ibrahim(PBUH) debated with the dictator king in his country. “Have you not looked at him who disputed with Ibrahim (Abraham) about his Lord (Allah), because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim (Abraham) said (to him): “My Lord (Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death.” He said, “I give life and cause death.” Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.” So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. And Allah guides not the people, who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.)” (Qura’n 2:258).
To Ibrahim (PBUH), who pointed out the necessity to accept the Lord of the worlds as our protector, the dictator king responded arrogantly. When he argued that he can give and take life by killing and setting free some of his slaves, Ibrahim did not quaver. He refuted it with the matter of rising and setting of sun and that did not give any room for the dictator to put any sophistry. With this, he became speechless. Even when the dictator declared that he has the authority to kill any one, Ibrahim was defiant.
The way Ibrahim (PBUH) chose to prove that the idols don’t have any ability to help or harm us is a manifest evidence of his spiritual bravery. Even when his father, countrymen and the king belonged to idol worshipers, he proved the meaningless of idol worship both through his words and deeds, without fearing the aftermaths. It was following this incident that they decided to throw Ibrahim to a fire pit. He had no prior knowledge that nothing will happen to him if thrown to fire flame. Though he was expecting the help from Allah, his mind would have gone through the natural anxieties when he heard this decision. But the rigidity of his belief was much beyond all these anxieties. Qura’n recounts this incident: “They said: “Burn him and help your aliha (gods), if you will be doing.” We (Allah) said: “O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim (Abraham)!”And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.” (Quran 21:68-70). Ibrahim, who was ready to face any difficulty in the path of Allah, was saved by Allah, miraculously, and was given many more opportunities to sacrifice more for the preaching of his religion.
The occasion when he set out to sacrifice his beloved son, bowing down to the commandment of Allah, indeed was the greatest of his sacrifices.
When he doubtlessly proved his readiness to sacrifice everything for Allah, Allah informed him that he can slaughter an animal instead. “Eid ul Adha” is a remembrance of this great sacrifice. Through Uduhiyya we should ascertain our readiness to sacrifice everything in our life, to keep ourselves steadfast in monotheism and propagate the same. “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad SAW) to the Muhsinun (doers of good)” (Qura’n 22:37).
Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), who was described as the ‘companion of Allah’ and the ‘leader of Humanity’, is a rare personality respectfully remembered by millions of Muslims, Christians and Jews. One of his peculiarity is that he was able to overcome all trails of worldly life with his belief, morality and mindedness to sacrifice. No temptation or provocation could refrain him from the way of his Lord. Quran recounts many occasions where the rigidity of his belief was tested. In each and every of these instances, he remained unflappable and immovable. The unswerving hope that even if everyone oppose and alienate, success comes only with Allah’s help and support, was his strength and shelter.
When he affectionately advised his father to worship Allah alone and to refrain from worshipping idols – the way of satan, it was a very drastic response that he received.He (the father) said: “Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim (Abraham)? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you.” (Qura’n 19:46). Ibrahim was neither upset with this reply and raged at his father nor he thought of adjusting his belief with that of his father dreading the isolation he would be in without the support from his dear ones. Quran mentions his response to his father, clarifying both his firm stand in his belief and the gratitude towards father.
“Ibrahim (Abraham) said: “Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious. And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah. And I shall call on my Lord; and I hope that I shall not be unblest in my invocation to my Lord.” (Qura’n 19:47-48). Ibrahim’s (PBUH) life afterwards bear witness that those who invoke only Allah in their supplications and do not associate anyone else with him, will have a blessed and fortunate life.
Quran recalls the incident where Ibrahim(PBUH) debated with the dictator king in his country. “Have you not looked at him who disputed with Ibrahim (Abraham) about his Lord (Allah), because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim (Abraham) said (to him): “My Lord (Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death.” He said, “I give life and cause death.” Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.” So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. And Allah guides not the people, who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.)” (Qura’n 2:258).
To Ibrahim (PBUH), who pointed out the necessity to accept the Lord of the worlds as our protector, the dictator king responded arrogantly. When he argued that he can give and take life by killing and setting free some of his slaves, Ibrahim did not quaver. He refuted it with the matter of rising and setting of sun and that did not give any room for the dictator to put any sophistry. With this, he became speechless. Even when the dictator declared that he has the authority to kill any one, Ibrahim was defiant.
The way Ibrahim (PBUH) chose to prove that the idols don’t have any ability to help or harm us is a manifest evidence of his spiritual bravery. Even when his father, countrymen and the king belonged to idol worshipers, he proved the meaningless of idol worship both through his words and deeds, without fearing the aftermaths. It was following this incident that they decided to throw Ibrahim to a fire pit. He had no prior knowledge that nothing will happen to him if thrown to fire flame. Though he was expecting the help from Allah, his mind would have gone through the natural anxieties when he heard this decision. But the rigidity of his belief was much beyond all these anxieties. Qura’n recounts this incident: “They said: “Burn him and help your aliha (gods), if you will be doing.” We (Allah) said: “O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim (Abraham)!”And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.” (Quran 21:68-70). Ibrahim, who was ready to face any difficulty in the path of Allah, was saved by Allah, miraculously, and was given many more opportunities to sacrifice more for the preaching of his religion.
The occasion when he set out to sacrifice his beloved son, bowing down to the commandment of Allah, indeed was the greatest of his sacrifices.
When he doubtlessly proved his readiness to sacrifice everything for Allah, Allah informed him that he can slaughter an animal instead. “Eid ul Adha” is a remembrance of this great sacrifice. Through Uduhiyya we should ascertain our readiness to sacrifice everything in our life, to keep ourselves steadfast in monotheism and propagate the same. “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad SAW) to the Muhsinun (doers of good)” (Qura’n 22:37).
