Dr. Obaidur Rahman Nadwi
Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha are two main festivals of the Muslim world. Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the tenth day of Zil-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed to reflect Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his only son, Ismail, whom Allah bestowed upon him at the age of 86. The story of Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice is vividly mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The Prophet Ibrahim prayed to Allah, “O my Lord! Grant me a righteous son.” So We gave him the good news of a forbearing son. Then, when the son reached the age of serious work with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I offer thee in sacrifice. Now see what is thy view.” The son said: “O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thus wilt thou find me, if Allah so wills, one of the steadfast.” So when they had both submitted to Allah and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead for sacrifice, We called out to him: “O Ibrahim! Thou hast already fulfilled the dream.” Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For this was a clear trial and We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice. And We left for him among generations to come in later times. Peace and salutation to Ibrahim. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For he was one of Our believing servants.” (S.37, A.100-111)
The above narration makes it clear that a righteous and pious servant of Allah is always ready to obey his Creator’s command. Accordingly, if one wants to create closeness to Allah and attain His pleasure, one will have to exhibit Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail-like unprecedented submission, obedience, love and faith towards Allah. The whole story does not require the flesh and blood of animals. As Allah says, “It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah: it is your devotion that reaches Him.”
(S.22, A.37)
Needless to add that Qurbani (sacrifice) is also one of the main parts of the Hajj. Having performed the rites of the Hajj, pilgrims gather at Mina, at a distance of four miles from the holy city of Makkah, for offering sacrifice, worship and recollection of Allah. It should be noted that the first ten days of the month of Zil-Hijjah, the month of pilgrimage, assume tremendous significance as enshrined in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The Holy Qur’an says, “By the dawn. By the ten nights,” (S.89, A.1-2). Most of the commentators of the Qur’an say that by the ten nights are usually understood the first ten nights of Zil-Hijjah, the sacred season of pilgrimage. Similarly, the fasting of Arafah (ninth Zil-Hijjah) also holds immense importance. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says, “I am sure that Allah forgives the sins of a year before and after for the fasting of Arafah.” It goes without saying that for four days on this occasion, i.e. from the morning of the ninth to the afternoon (Asr prayer) of the thirteenth of Zil-Hijjah, praise and glory of Allah are recited after every prayer, known as Takbirat-i-Tashriq. The purport of the words recited is as follows: “Allah is Most Great: Allah is Most Great! None is worthy of being worshipped except Allah! Allah is Most Great! Allah is Most Great and all praise is for Allah alone.”
Noted Islamic scholar S. Sulaiman Nadwi says, “Islam means resignation to the Will of God. It implies complete submission to Allah’s commands. The sacrifice given by Ibrahim and Isma’il (peace be upon them) proves beyond any shadow of doubt that they were the true and loyal servants of Allah. In appreciation of the sacrifices of Ibrahim and Isma’il (peace be upon them), Allah, the Exalted, named this sentiment of theirs of resignation and surrender to Him as Al-Islam.” It has been said in the Holy Qur’an:
“So, when they had both surrendered (unto Allah).”
(37:103)
“And who can be averse to the religion of Ibrahim except he who has infatuated his mind? Indeed, We chose him in the world, and in the Hereafter he is surely amongst the righteous.”
“And when his Lord said to him: Submit, he said: I submit to the Lord of the worlds.”
(2:130-131)
In fact, the religion of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is based on Al-Islam, i.e. resignation and surrender to Allah. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) prayed to Allah again and again:
“Our Lord! Make us submissive unto Thee and of our progeny a community submissive unto Thee and show us our ways of worship, and relent towards us. Thou art the Relenting, the Merciful.”
(S.2, A.128)
In fact, sacrifice in the path of Allah is not only a tradition but one of the most preferred acts of worship of Allah. Generally, the sacrificial offering is divided into three portions: one for household consumption, another for friends and relatives, and the third for the poor and needy regardless of caste, creed, region and colour. Besides, the sum obtained from the skins of sacrificed animals is also given to the poor and downtrodden segments of society. No doubt, the act of sacrifice strengthens the bond between the Creator and His creation. It also fosters a real sense of brotherhood and fraternity. In short, Qurbani (Sacrifice) is the highest form of submission, devotion, obedience and adoration to Allah.
