Eid-ul-Azha recalls the successful sacrifice of a father’s protection, a mother’s inherent love and a child’s life, for the will of Allah. It is a story that meanders through trust, even when all odds are against you; belief, despite nothing tangible to hold onto; and sacrifice without a question. Hazrat Ibrahim(AS), Hazrat Hajirah and Hazrat Ishmael(AS), peace be on them all, set the stage for the future Muslim ummah and taught us that without utter obedience and sacrifice, we cannot attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty. Ours is an interesting age, rigorous scientific methods and endless technological advancements have brought boundless good and development; however, this “new age” also comes with hidden price tags for believers. In a world where everything is questioned, the logic and reason for all steps are demanded and where materialism and a hedonistic environment flourishes, absolute obedience, sacrifice and trust in Allah become huge tests for believers. Eid-ul-Azha is a good time to reflect, refresh our faith and gain inspiration from the great examples of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and his family. The concept of sacrifice holds fundamental importance in every religion and sacrifice for the sake of God and for the sake of humanity is of paramount importance. The Holy Qur’an presents an illustration of the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the following words: Say, ‘My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.’ Only when our entire life revolves around service to God and service to humanity, then we can truly attain the pleasure of God, and both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha come to remind us of this very important truth. In the month of Ramadan Muslims give up their food and drink, and fast for the whole month as an act of sacrifice so that they are able to feel the pain of those who are less fortunate than them; so that they are prompted to reflect within their own souls and not only strengthen their relationship with God but also to forge stronger bonds with their fellow human beings. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with a new beginning. It is celebrated to remind us that just as we felt the pangs of thirst and hunger in Ramadan for Allah’s sake, we must continue to sacrifice our worldly comforts to ease the pain and sufferings of the world around us. Eid-ul-Azha comes shortly thereafter to reinforce this sense of sacrifice and reminds us of the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ishmael (AS). It comes to remind us that giving up our worldly comforts is indeed important, but in order for us to be truly devoted servants of God and true Muslims, we must be prepared to offer an even greater sacrifice – the ultimate sacrifice – which is the willingness to exert all our strength and give every ounce of our being, until our very last breath, to seek the pleasure of God and serve humanity – just as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ishmael (AS) were willing to sacrifice every fiber of their own beings and all that they cherished an expression of pure and selfless devotion to seek the pleasure of God. This is the greater sacrifice that is taught to us in Eid-ul-Azha, and this is why Eid-ul-Azha or the Festival of Sacrifices is the Greater Eid. Let’s remind ourselves, to renew our gratitude for Allah, and have the quality of taqwa to Allah SWT. Kullu ‘ām wa antum bi alf khayr.
The love between Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) and Allah is absolute. What about his love to his son Ismail? That is when Allah put Hazrat Ibrahim(AS)’s faith and love into test. Will there be a contradiction between loving Allah, and loving his own son, Hazrat Ismail? That is when Almighty Allah commanded Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) to sacrifice his son, Ismail.
Eid al-Azha brings us to remember our beloved Prophet (SAW), who is considered as the father of the prophets, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). It was the history between him and his son that signifies the udhiyyah or the sacrifice, as well as most of the rituals in Hajj. I would like to invite us all, to reflect on Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and his family as how we can learn, and apply these lessons to our family, which Allah grants us as a trust. When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was instructed to leave his beloved son and wife on a barren land of Makkah, he made a du’a with a heart full of both willingness and concern, as was recorded in Surah Ibrahim verse 37: دۃ من ٔ ۃ فاجعل أف ٰ ‘‘ربنا إنی اسکنت من ذریتی بواد غیرذرع عند بینک الحرام ربنا لیقیموا الصلو تلعل ٰ الناستھوی إلیھم وارزوھم من الثمر ھم یشکرون۔’’ Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House (Baitullah). Our Lord, [this is so] that they may [continue to] establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits [so] that they might be grateful.” Just think about it – would any of us here be willing and resilient enough in our faith to leave our family in such a situation? Imagine now, the situation of Hajirah, who was left all alone with the responsibility of caring for a tiny child and without any provision. Our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) narrated in a hadith reported by Imam al-Bukhari, that when Hajirah was on her own with a crying, hungry baby, Allah made the Zamzam water spring forth for her, bringing comfort and ease to the restless heart of the mother. With the barakah of this blessed family’s resilient faith, Allah protected and kept them safe. The barakah of their prayers has made Makkah, a city which people across the entire world have fallen for and yearn for until this very day. This is exactly like what Prophet Ibrahim (AS) asked for in his du’a. The test from Allah on Hazrat Ibrahim(AS)’s faith continued and getting even bigger. We know from the history, Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) has his son a bit later in his life. The son was most awaited. And his love for Hazrat Ismail (AS) was so deep which is understandable for a father longing to have his own kid. But, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) is the Khalil of Allah. It is hard to translate the word Khalil to English as it might drop the full meaning of it. Khalil is not simply a lover or the loved one as in Habib and Mahbub. The love of a Khalil is not al-hubb, but al-khullah, which is the highest form of love and an absolute exclusive one. That is how Allah describes the love between Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), His servant and Him as his Lord. ‘‘ومن احسن ممن اسلم وجھہ ہلل و ھو محسن و اتبع مللۃ ابراھیم حنیفا و اتخذ ہللا ابراھیم خلیال۔’’ And who is better in faith than those who fully submit themselves to Allah, do good, and follow the way of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), the upright? Allah chose Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) as an intimate companion (khalil). (Al-Nisā’ 4: 125) This is also similar to the status of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who was also a khalilullah. In one hadith, he said: “ ً ِيال ل َ ا خ ً ِخذ َّ ت ُ م تُ ْ ن ُ ك ْ و َ ل ْ م ُ ك َ ِحب ا لَّ صَ َ ج َ و َّ ز َ ع َّللا َّ ُ َ ذ َ خ َّ ِد ات َ ق َ ِ ي و ِحب ا صَ َ ِخي و َ أ ُ ه َّ ِكن َ ل َ و ً ِيال ل َ ٍ خ ر ْ ك َ ا ب َ ب َ أ ُ ت ْ ذ َ خ َّ ت َ ال ً ِيال ل َ خ “ If I were to choose a Khalil, I would have definitely chosen Abu Bakr as my Khalil, but he is my brother and my companion. And Allah, the Exalted and Gliorious has taken your brother and companion (meaning Prophet himself) as a Khalil (Muslim). The love between Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) and Allah is absolute. What about his love to his son Hazrat Ismail (AS)? That is when Allah put Hazrat Ibrahim(AS)’s faith and love into test. Will there be a contradiction between loving Allah, and loving his own son, Hazrat Ismail? That is when Almighty Allah commanded Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (AS). ‘‘ بنی إ ٰ فاما بلغ معہالسعیقال ی أبتافعل ما بومر ٰ ٰی فی املنام أنی أذبحک فانظرماذا تری قال ی نی أر س برین۔’’ تجدنی ان شاءہللامن الصٰ “Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I ˹must˺ sacrifice you. So, tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.” (al-Sāffāt 37: 102) Here, there is also an important lesson that we can learn from our Prophet Ibrahim (AS). We know he is khalilullah, who will never disobey Allah. Who will do exactly as he is told? But, look… at the most certain commandment from Allah that leaves no other option, Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) still wants to know the opinion of his son, Hazrat Ismail(AS). “So, tell me what you think.” This is a huge lesson for us as parents. Being kind to children is a sunnah. Rasulullah PBUH said: ‘‘کبیرنا شرف و یعرف صغیرنا، یرحم لم من منا لیس’’ “He is not one of us who shows no mercy to younger ones and does not acknowledge the honour due to our elders” [At- Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]. Loving and being kind to our children is not simply by kissing, hugging and providing them with their needs. It also includes listening to their thoughts, getting feedback from them and makes their opinion matters. This is something alien to the culture of some people even among Muslims, thinking that we the adults should dictate everything for the children, leaving them unheard, and failed to develop their character in becoming compassionate adults, with empathy.
(The author is associated with World Peace Institute of United Nations. Views are exclusively his own)
