EID
AL-ADH-HA SERMON
Once again we have all
been blessed by Allah (SWT) to witness and celebrate this great day
of Eid al-Adh-ha.
Eid
al-Adh-ha
basically means, ‘the
festival of sacrifice’.
On this day, Muslims
are reminded about that great trial, which Prophet Ibrahim (as) was
put to, of sacrificing his young son Prophet Ismail (as).
He (as) complied to the command of Allah (SWT)
and fully succeeded in it.
Prophet Ibrahim (as)
is regarded as the champion of Monotheism. He (as) is one of the
most favourite prophets of Allah (SWT) who is held in very high
esteem.
The Holy Quran speaks
extensively about Prophet Ibrahim (as).
Infact the name of
Ibrahim 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
GREAT TRIAL:
The
story about the great trial of Prophet Ibrahim (as) is an
interesting one and there are many lessons that can be derived from
it by those who believe in Ibrahim (as) and claim to follow his
creed. To summarise what had transpired:
{Prophet
Ibrahim (as) had prayed to Allah (SWT) to grant him a son. Allah (SWT)
fulfilled his wish and gave him Ismail (as).
“O God!
Grant me with a righteous son. So We gave
him the glad tidings of a forbearing son.”
When
the child attained 13 years of age, Allah (SWT) commanded Ibrahim
(as) 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?’”
Because it was the command from Allah (SWT), the righteous son
encouraged his old father to discharge his duty.
“He said:
‘O Father! Do whatever you have been
commanded. If Allah wishes, you will find me to be patient.”
Ibrahim (as) set out with his son Ismail (as) to the sacrificing
spot.
It was certainly not an easy task!
On the
way, Shaytan appeared in a form of an old advising man. He tried to
stop Ibrahim (as) from offering the sacrifice, but because of the
strong faith in Allah (SWT), Ibrahim (as)’s determination to comply
with the command of his Creator could not be shaken.
Shaytan then tried his luck with Ismail (as) and persuade him to
escape from his ill- fate. As a result of his father’s invocation,
Ismail (as) 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.
Ibrahim (as) 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 (SWT).
When
Ibrahim (as) removed his fold, he saw Ismail (as) by his side and in
his place; a ram lay slain before them. Ibrahim trembled lest Allah
(SWT) rejected his sacrifice. Suddenly he heard a voice that was
soothing:
“We called
out to him: O Ibrahim! You have indeed fulfilled the vision! Thus
indeed We reward the virtuous. This
indeed was a manifest test. Then We
ransomed him with a great sacrifice, and left for him a good name in
posterity: Peace be to Ibrahim.”
LESSON FROM SACRIFICE
One of
the things that the Hujjaj
(the pilgrims to the house of God) do on the 10th of
Dhul-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 (as).
This
act is not mere a ritual but it has a meaning and a significance.
Allah (SWT) has not commanded us to sacrifice animals because He (SWT)
is bloodthirsty or meat hungry.
In
Suratul-Hajj, verses 36 & 37, He (SWT) has made it clear:
“Thus we
have disposed them (animals) for your
benefit so that you may give thanks.”
Then
He (SWT) adds:
“It is not
their flesh or their blood that reaches Allah. Rather it is your
Godwariness 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.”
So what is the
significance of offering sacrifice of animals on this day of Adh-ha??
The
answer to this question is simple.
Allah
(SWT) wants to train us to follow the path of Prophet Ibrahim (as)
who was willing to offer Allah (SWT) his dearest possession in form
of his son Ismail (as).
Allah
(SWT) did not want Ismail to be sacrificed BUT He (SWT) wanted
Ibrahim (as) to show his willingness to sacrifice Ismail (as), which
he (as) did bravely.
Dr.
Ali Shari’ati in his book, ‘Philosophy of Hajj’ writes and I quote:
“This is
a story of man’s perfection and his freedom from selfishness and
animalistic desires.
It is
man’s ascention to a higher spirit and love, to
a strong will that frees him from any thing that may hinder
his responsibility as a conscious man.”
In
other words, Allah (SWT) is telling us:
On
this day of Eid, 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 fulfil your duties towards Him.
Your Ismail could be:
o
Your
wealth
o
Your
job
o
Your
rank
o
Your
power
o
Your
lust
o
Your
greed
o
Your
spouse
o
Your
children
It
could be anything and make sure that it is as dear to you as Ismail
(as) was to Ibrahim (as).
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 (SWT):
“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.”
Imam
‘Ali bin al-Husayn (as), talking about the significance of each and
every ritual that is performed during Hajj, asked Shibli:
“As you
slaughtered your sacrificial animal (during Hajj), did you intend to
cut off the throat of greed (that is hidden in you) by clinging to
the reality of Taqwa and to follow the exemplary tradition of
Ibrahim (as) who intended to slaughter his dear son (so as to
discharge the command of Allah)?”
Shibli
said, “No!”
“In that
case”
said the Imam (as)
“You have not sacrificed your animal.”
Similarly, whilst giving instructions to the
Hujjaj (the pilgrims
proceeding for Hajj) Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq (as) said to them:
“Cut
the throat of carnal desires and greed by offering animal
sacrifice.”
We
pray to Allah (SWT) on this great day of Eid to grant us with
tawfeeq to follow in the path of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and forgive
all our past and future sins.