As the pilgrims, having travelled to Mecca from every part of the world, gather to perform the Hajj rites, Muslims all over the world prepare to celebrate the Day of Eid Ul Adha. Hajj is the holy pilgrimage to Mecca that must be undertaken by all Muslims who are able to fulfill its rites. The day of Eid marks the conclusion of the Hajj and is celebrated by all Muslims. This is all in commemoration of Abraham, a personage well known to all the Semitic religions. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) as he is known in Arabic, was a prophet of God, sent to guide the people. He was given many trials and hardships, which he faced with complete obedience and reliance on God. Because of his great devotion, and his willingness to sacrifice everything for Him, Allah has honoured him with the title of Khalīl-Ullah (the close friend of Allah). During his lifetime, he was a prophet of few followers, but he prayed to God, as it is mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān (26:83-84), “My Lord, grant me authority and join me with the righteous. And grant me a reputation of honour among later generations.” Today, he is known as the Father of the Abrahamic religions. From among his progeny came many great prophets. His name is uttered on the lips of over a billion Muslims, for every single of the five times daily prayers. Until today, people from every nation and tribe leave their homes, travelling great distances by plane or on foot, over land and sea, to answer his call to pilgrimage. His great distinction and high rank cannot be contended.
In Islam, there are two Eids, Eid Ul Adha: the Festival of the Sacrifice and Eid Ul Fitr: the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. Eid Ul Adha, the greater of the two Eids, is celebrated every year on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, which is a month on the lunar calendar. This does not coincide with any one date on the solar calendar, which is why the two Eids seem to be celebrated at different times every year. When the month of Dhul Hijjah begins, Muslims start making preparations for Eid, while observing some of the most auspicious days of the year. In Islam, there are no good deeds greater than the good deeds done in these ten days and there are no days greater in the sight of Allah than these days. Muslims increase in all acts of worship, charity, and fasting, to maximize rewards and blessings. The blessed day of ‘Arafah is one that also falls within these days. It is the day when the pilgrims in Mecca gather in the flat planes of ‘Arafah, people of every race and background, rich and poor, standing side by side dressed in simple white cloth. Their only reason for being there is to earn the forgiveness of Allah and repent for their sins. The Muslims who have not undertaken the pilgrimage observe this day by fasting, also hoping for forgiveness for their sins.
On the morning of Eid, Muslims awaken, cleanse themselves, and wear their best clothing. They attend the Eid Ṣalāh at their mosque, after which they hasten to do their animal sacrifice. In Trinidad, we refer to this sacrifice as Qurbani and it must be done by anyone who can afford it. Allah says in the Qur’ān (23:36) “When the animals have been sacrificed, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.” As such, the meat of this sacrifice is usually shared into thirds, one third for the poor, one third for the person’s family and the last third he keeps for himself if he wishes. Many Muslims even opt to do their sacrifice in poorer countries, utilizing their entire sacrifice to provide much-needed meals for those ravaged by poverty. But this is not the only purpose behind this sacrifice.
Given the status of Ibrahim (AS) in Islam, it is no surprise that on the day of Eid Ul Adha, 1.8 billion Muslims all over the globe gather to commemorate his actions. The sacrifice made by Muslims on this day is all in the emulation of Ibrahim’s (AS) own willingness to sacrifice the life of his son for Allah.
Ibrahim (AS) wanted a son and at age 86, he was finally blessed with Ismail. He was ordered by Allah to take his beloved son and his wife to a barren desert and abandon them there. His wife, Hajrah, knew it was an act he would only commit if it was a test from Allah . She bore it with patience. With no food, water or any sign of civilization, she began to run between two mountains in search of any sustenance to appease the crying child. She returned emptyhanded, just in time to witness the baby’s heel striking the ground. Miraculously, a spring of water gushed forth, saving them. Until today, her running between those two mountains is replicated by the pilgrims of Mecca, honored to simply walk in the footsteps of a slave girl magnified by God for her devotion. The ever-flowing spring, now called the Zamzam Well, nourishes the millions of pilgrims that visit every year.
But this was not the last test he would undertake through his child. It was only years later he would be tested again, but this time to take the life of his son. It is truly amazing, not only the devotion of Ibrahim but also his son. When Ibrahim told him, “O my beloved son, I see in a dream that I am slaughtering you. Tell me, what is your perspective on the matter.” Already a great worshipper, Ismaill (AS), would grow to be a prophet as well. He told him “O, my beloved father! Do whatever you have been commanded by Allah. You will indeed find me among those who have patience.”
While on their way to commit an act that was the ultimate form of worship, Shayṭān became angered and tried to block their path to lead them astray. Three times he blocked their path and three times Ibrahim (AS) stoned him with pebbles until he gave up. Even this act, the stoning of Shayṭān, is emulated by the Muslims performing the Hajj, where the stone pillars in the very same manner as Ibrahim. Upon reaching their destination they prepared to commit an act of true surrender. We cannot imagine the great difficulty they faced, one to sacrifice his beloved son and one to offer his life in sacrifice for the sake of Allah. Of course, Allah did not intend the death of Ismail (AS), only that the two would completely submit themselves to His will. Strengthened by his son’s encouraging words, Ibrahim (AS) placed the knife at his son’s neck and pressed. With this act, the profound love the two had for Allah became clear. The Holy Qur’ān (37:104-105) clarifies, “And then when they had both surrendered to God and he laid [Ismail] in prostration, We called out, ‘O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision, thus do we reward the doers of good.’” And so the life of Ismail was preserved and a ram was sent to be slaughtered in his place. The horns of this ram were passed down through the generations and kept safe in the Ka’bah in Mecca for hundreds of years until they were destroyed by fire.
The legacy of Ibrahim (AS) is present in the life of every Muslim, not only on the day of Eid but in every day, in every prayer, in matters large and small. The life of a Muslim is embodied in the words of Ibrahim himself (Qur’ān 6:162 ), “Verily my prayer and my sacrifice, my life, and my death, are all for Allah, the lord of the worlds.”
The day of Eid is a reminder for all Muslims, that one who believes will always be tested, and often with that which he loves the most. But when a person sacrifices for God, then God will honour them and raise their rank, just as we honour Ibrahim on the day of Eid ul Adha.
Aalimah Noorie K. Khan