Eid is symbolic of the believer’s journey toward Almighty Allah to admit wrong, take responsibility, and seek forgiveness and then to return into the world a new, unburdened by the heaviness of past transgressions and the state of forgetfulness. Almighty Allah loves those who return to Him and those who are in constant remembrance. On Eid-ul-Adha Muslims remember Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) trial by slaughtering an animal such as sheep, camel, cow and goat. One of Ibrahim’s main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son Ismail (AS). On hearing this command, He prepared to submit to Allah’s will. When He was all prepared to do it Allah reveal to him that his sacrifice had already been fulfilled. This act had shown symbolically that His love for His Lord superseded all others that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to Almighty Allah. The meat from sacrifice from Eid-ul-Adha is mostly given away to others. One third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one third is given to friends, and one third is donated to the poorer. The act symbolizes people willingness to give up things that are of benefit to them are close to their hearts, in order to follow Allah’s command. It also symbolizes their willingness to give up some of their own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and health, those who are in need. They recognize that all blessing come from Allah so they should open their hearts and share with others. It is very important to understand the sacrifice itself as practice by people, has nothing to do with turn away for their sins or using the blood to wash themselves from sins. The symbolism is the attitude, a willingness to make sacrifices in their lives in order to stay on straight path. Each of them makes small sacrifices, giving up thing that are fun or important to them. They think that a true Muslim is one who submits his or herself completely to the Allah, willing to follow Allah’s command completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith and willing obedience that their Allah desires for them.
People think that sacrifice is bunch of worships for example when they make an animal stand or bow down in the direction of the Baitullah and also direct their own faces towards the house of Almighty Allah and present the sacrifice animal as offering to Almighty Allah by saying they are actually offering themselves to Allah and this is the foundation of Islam.
The main objective of sacrifice is to express gratitude to the Almighty Allah. When people offer their lives symbolically to Almighty by offering the sacrifice of an animal they are expressing their gratitude on the guidance of submission which was expressed by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) by sacrificing his only son Ismail (AS). People think that the flesh of sacrificial animal does not reach to Allah; it is only their piety that reached to Allah. Allah has subjected them to their services so that they may give glory to Allah for guiding them, the way of righteous and their Prophet. This is not the sacrifice of just need even it is the sacrifice of wealth in the way of Allah for the help of poorer. People think that sacrifice is bunch of worships for example when they make an animal stand or bow down in the direction of the Baitullah and also direct their own faces towards the house of Almighty Allah and present the sacrifice animal as offering to Almighty Allah by saying they are actually offering themselves to Allah and this is the foundation of Islam.
