Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) when arrived in Medina, he (S.A.W) found that people of the city celebrated many festivals. He (S.A.W) abolished all these pegan observations and told the Muslims that the two Eids were prescribed for them as festivals, one being ‘Eid Ul-Fitr’ and the other ‘Eid-Ul-Zuha’. Eid is an Arabic word meaning ‘festivity’. Eid-Ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Islamic month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Muslim calendar, and marks the end of fasting observed during the month of Ramadan. The festival of Eid-Ul-Zuha is celebrated on the 10th of the month of Zillhijjah, twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Eid Ul-Zuha basically means, the festival of sacrifice in Islam. Islam is the religion of all Prophets; all of them called for what Islam calls for: worshipping Almighty Allah alone and rejecting false deities. On the day of Eid Ul-Zuha, Muslims are reminded about that great trial, which Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) complied to command of Almighty Allah and fully succeeded in it. The Holy Quran speaks extensively about Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). In fact the name of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) is one of the most favourite Prophets of Allah and his name 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 submits to One God), Haneef (A non-deviant Monotheist), Ummah (A Nation).
The story about the great trial of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) is an interesting one and there are many lessons that can be derived from it by those who believe in Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) and claim to follow his creed. Prophet Ibrahim (A.S), known as the father of all Prophets was born on the 14 th of Rajab which is the 7th month of the Islamic lunar Calendar in an Idolator house in Babylon. Some traditions claimed that Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S) father died before his birth and he was raised by an uncle whom Ibrahim (A.S) called father. Other traditions said his father was alive and was named Azar, a sculptor of idols. Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) did not believe in idolatry even from a very tender age and believed lifeless and helpless idols can not be of any help to those praying them. So, he spent much time on a mountain meditating on who could be God. Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) was endowed with spiritual understanding from an early age. Allah enlighted his heart and mind gave him wisdom from childhood. He does not accept idol or sun or anything like that as a God. Allah the Almighty stated: In deed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim (A.S) his (portion of) guidance, and we were Well Acquainted with him ( as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah etc) (Quran, 21:51). Stubborn to show the villagers that idols were not God and that they were only human’s creation, Ibrahim (A.S) went to the temple where lay the idols and set out on destroying them. His aim was to make people understand that idols can neither profit nor harm anyone (Quran, 21: 59-67).When the idolaters came to know about that, they suspected Ibrahim (A.S) and the King (Namrud) of Babylon ordered to burn Ibrahim (A.S) alive. However Allah’s desire was not so thus Ibrahim (A.S) came out from the fire unhurt. The people realized the senselessness of their beliefs; however their arrogance would not allow them to admit their foolishness. This miracle shamed the tyrants, but it did not cool the flame of anger in their hearts. However, after this event many of the people followed Ibrahim (A.S) although some kept their belief a secret for fear of harm or death at the hands of the rulers. When the King ‘Namrud’ heard of Ibrahim’s (A.S) safe exit from the fire he became very angry and feared. He summoned Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) to the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allah Almighty recounted: Have you not thought about him who disputed with Ibrahim (A.S) about his Lord (Allah) because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim (A.S) said to him: My Lord (Allah) is He who gives life and causes death. He (Namrud) said: I give life and cause death. Ibrahim (A.S) 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. Allah guides not the people who are Zalimeen (wrongdoers etc) (Quran, 2:258). Ibrahim (A.S) fame spread throughout the entire kingdom. People talked about how he (A.S) had been saved from the blazing fire and how he had debated with the King and left him speechless. In the Meantime, Ibrahim continued (A.S) calling people to believe in Allah, exerting a great effort to guide his people to the right path. He (A.S) tried every means to convince them. However in spite of love and care for his people, they felt angry and deserted him. Only one woman named Sarah (A.S) who became his wife and one man of his people named Lut (A.S) shared his belief in Allah. Lut (A.S) became a Prophet later. When Ibrahim (A.S) realized that no one else was going to believe in his call, he decided to emigrate. He left his people and traveled with his wife and his nephew Prophet Lut (A.S) to a city called Ur, then to Haran, then to Palestine, then to Egypt, calling people to believe in Allah wherever he traveled, judging fairly between people, and guiding them to truth and righteousness. Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S) wife Sarah (A.S) was sterile. Sarah (A.S) thought she and Ibrahim (A.S) were lonely because she could not have a child. Therefore, she offered her husband her servant Hajra (A.S) in marriage and prayed Allah to bless Hajra (A.S) and Ibrahim (A.S) with a child. How unselfish Sarah (A.S) was! For her, the need to have an offspring who would carry the Message after Ibrahim (A.S) was greater than her pride. Fourteen years later Allah rewarded Sarah with a Son, Ishaq (A.S) in spite of her old age. Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) prayed, O God! Grant me with a righteous son. So we gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing son (Quran, 37: 100-101). Hajra (A.S) gave birth to her son Prophet Ismail when Ibrahim (A.S) was an old man. One day Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) woke up and asked his wife Hajra (A.S) to get her son and prepare for a long journey.
After a long journey they reached the desert of Arabian Peninsula, named Makkah, an uncultivated valley having no fruit, no trees, no water, no sign of life. After Ibrahim (A.S) had helped his wife and child to dismount, he left them with a small amount of food and water which was hardly enough for 2 days. He (A.S) turned round and walked away. His wife hurried after him asking: Where are you going Ibrahim (A.S), leaving us in this barren village? Ibrahim (A.S) did not answer her, but continued walking. She (A.S) repeated what she had said, but he remained silent. Finally she understood that he (A.S) was not acting on his own initiative. She realized that Allah had commanded him to do this. She asked him: Did Allah command you to do so? He replied: Yes, then his great wife said: We are not going to be lost, since Allah who has commanded you is with us. Ibrahim (A.S) walked away until he got out their sight, he (A.S) raised his hands and prayed Allah: O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring dwell in a village with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House, in order that they may offer prayers. So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks. There, alone with suckling Ismail, Hajra (A.S) had to rely on a nearby well. Unfortunately, this water was san depleted and Hajra (A.S) was so thirsty that she made her way from Al-Marwa hill to nearby mount as-safa seven times in the quest of water. In the end, tired, she came back to Al-Marwa, when to her greatest surprise Angel Gabriel (A.S) came and dug the ground until water flowed and still does! This is our holy Zamzam water. The angel said to her: Don’t be afraid of being neglected, this is the House (Kaba) of Allah which will be built by this boy (Ismail (A.S)) and his father Ibrahim (A.S) and Allah never neglects His people. The kaba later built by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) and his son Prophet Ismail (A.S) is the central structure around which the Hajj takes place. No Hajj is valid without going around this structure. As a result of the flowing water, Arabs joined Hajra (A.S) and Ismail (A.S) and a village was formed. It was from this civilization that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) was born. Years later, Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) came to visit his son whom he missed much. Then one day Allah wanting to test Ibrahim’s (A.S) faith, asked him in a dream to sacrifice Ismail (A.S) for the love of Allah. Allah wanted to see whether Ibrahim (A.S) had not grown to love his son more than the Almighty Allah. When Ismail (A.S) attained around 9 years age, Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim (A.S), in his dream to sacrifice him for his sake. When he was old enough to assist in his endeavour, he said: My son! I see in my dream that I am sacrificing you. See what you think? (Quran, 37:102). Because it was the command from Allah, the righteous son encouraged his old father to discharge his duty. He (Ismail (A.S)) said: ‘O Father! Do whatever you have been commanded. If Allah wishes, you will find me to be patient.” (Quran, 37:102). 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 (Iblis) appeared in a form of an old advising man. He tried to stop Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) from offering the sacrifice, but because of the strong faith in Allah, Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S) determination to comply with the command of his Creator could not be shaken. Shaytan then tried his luck with young Prophet Ismail (A.S) and persuade him to escape from his ill fate. As a result of his father’s invocation, Prophet Ismail (A.S) 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. Ibrahim (A.S) tied the hands and the legs of his son so as not to be perturbed by his pain and restlessness. He blindfolded himself and carrying the knife enacted the command of Allah (S.W.T). Allah saw that Ibrahim (A.S) was willing to sacrifice his most dear thing (son Ismail (A.S)) for Allah and so Allah thought this was enough and said sacrifice this Ram instead. Allah rejected the sacrifice of Prophet Ismail (A.S). According to Holy Quran, Suddenly Ibrahim (A.S) heard a voice that was Soothing: We call out 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 (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: Peace be to Ibrahim (Quran, 37:104-109). Allah did not want Prophet Ismail (A.S) to be sacrificed, but Allah wanted Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) to show his willingness to sacrifice Prophet Ismail (A.S), which he did bravely. It is in honour of this test of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) determination and his faith that Muslims around the word offer the Eid Prayers, sacrifice an animal on the occasion to show their faith, allegiance, submission and sincerity to Allah. This sacrifice is a ritual now known as Eid Ul-Zuha celebrated by Muslims all over the world in the memory of the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) and Prophet Ismail (A.S). One of the things that the Hujjaj (the pilgrims to the house of Allah for Hajj) do on the 10th of Zil 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 of this great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). This act is not mere a ritual but it has a meaning and significance. Allah has not commanded us to sacrifice animals because He is bloodthirsty or meat hungry. According to Holy Quran, Thus we have disposed them (animals) for your benefit so that you may give thanks (Quran, 22:36). 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 (Quran, 22:36-37).
It is very important to understand the real meaning of sacrifice. We should cut the throat of carnal desires and greed by offering animal sacrifice. In short, Allah is telling us: On this day of Eid Ul-Zuha, 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 Ismail (A.S) was to Ibrahim (A.S). 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 (S.W.T): ‘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.’We pray to Allah on this great day of Eid Ul-Zuha to grant us with tawfeeq to follow in the path of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) and forgive all our past and future sins.
EID MUBARAK
(The authors write on Islamic topics exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”. His views are personal)
