Eid ul Adha, also known as Eid of sacrifice, was celebrated by Muslims all over the world in this month. We marked this with a series of blogs on sacrifice and what it really means to followers of the Islamic faith. Here is the last blog of the series.
Khoula Saeed, Tilford
All over the world, Muslims celebrate Eid-Ul-Adha in the 12th month of the Islamic year, with thousands of people coming together and commemorating the special story of the sacrifice by Prophet Abraham ( peace be on him). But what does it mean to sacrifice? Throughout our lives, we see that many people give up one thing in order to pursue another, such as a favourite hobby to make time for a work-related meeting, or certain types of food to better our health and fitness. These types of sacrifices ultimately help us progress further in our lives.
On the special day of Eid-ul-Adha, Allah has taught Muslims to pray and slaughter an animal in remembrance of Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, who in turn was prepared to fulfil his father’s blessed dream. At that moment when Prophet Abraham (peace be on him) was about to slaughter his son, Allah forbade him from doing so and blessed them greatly for their obedience. Instead, Allah instructed them to slaughter a ram in remembrance of their preparedness to fulfil God’s command. In this way, Allah Almighty reminds Muslims of the fragility of life and that the riches of this life are fleeting whilst also teaching that it is the spirit of sacrifice and our good deeds that will be enduring. Regarding this, Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an in Chapter 22 verse 38:
“Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him. Thus has He subjected them to you, that you may glorify Allah for His guiding you. And give glad tidings to those who do good.”
At the same time, Muslims are instructed to distribute the meat of the sacrificed animal to the less fortunate members of society and in doing so bring communities and families together.
In Islam, the spirit of sacrifice is so highly regarded that the very term ‘sacrifice’ is written in the Holy Qur’an several times. In Chapter 6 verse 163 of the Holy Qur’an it is stated:
“Say, ‘My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”
And again in Chapter 108 verse 3:
“So pray to thy Lord, and offer sacrifice.”
The above verse so clearly distinguishes that all aspects of a Muslim’s life, even in death, are for attaining the pleasure of the Almighty God. Thus, the sacrifice that Islam calls for is different to that of everyday life: God does not require our prayers or our money. Rather in offering such sacrifices with the spirit described in the story of Prophet Abraham (peace be on him), Muslims are promised bounties beyond the temporary world and into the afterlife.
The sacrifices that a Muslim ought to make in their lives are made in the name of God, the Creator and Sustainer of our lives. Following the festivities of Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims are reminded that this spirit of sacrifice shown in the days of Eid are to be carried on for the rest of our lives, and that only in God’s remembrance can hearts find peace. All sacrifices, both in life and in death are for the sake of Allah and we as Muslims pray that may Allah the Exalted accept them and bless us for them. Ameen!
REFERENCES:
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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