A Commemorative Event in the World History

 

By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi

Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in

 

Allah, the Almighty, bestowed two great festivals to celebrate upon Muslim Ummah in a year. The first one is christened as Eid-ul-Fitr that follows Ramadhan, the month of Muslim fasting. It is celebrated on the occasion of successfully completing the fasts of the month of Ramadan. The second festive event is termed to be Eid-ul-Adhha, the momentous and historical fact of the prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his beloved son prophet Ismail’s sacrifice for Allah’s sake, first ever in the world history. Muslim Ummah celebrates these festivals to show gratitude to Allah the Almighty on the completion of the two immense adorations; fasting in Ramadan and performing Hajj. Both the festivals are celebrated with huge jubilation and exultation on the scheduled times of the 1st Shauwwal, the 10th month of Islamic Calendar and the 10th Dul-Hijjah, the 12th month of Islamic Calendar.

 

Every married individual yearns to be blessed with offspring so as he could derive satisfaction for his heart and soul and the child could support him in the old age. Prophet Ibrahim (AleihisSalam) was not blessed with a child in his youth. Consequently, he was passionate and zealous to have a child in his lap. He, therefore, requested and supplicated before Allah the Almighty to grant him a righteous child. His prayer was answered and Allah blessed him a child, Ismail (AleihisSalam), in the old age, who was granted with prophethood like his father. However, when the father attained the grand old age, he dreamt that he was commanded to sacrifice his honey son for Allah’s volition. After all, it was a crucial trial for him, difficult to pass by one and all except the prophets. Allah (swt) has already conferred   the office of prophethood on his father and the son was to succeed his father. He communicated the dream to his son, Ismail (as), happily and the ever obedient son agreed to the offer whole-heartedly, as Allah (swt) has drawn the picture of the matchless story in the glorious Qur’an:

 

“And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allâh), so look what you think!” He said: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Inshâ’ Allâh (if Allâh wills), you shall find me of As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.). Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allâh), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering). And We called out to him: “O Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!” Verily! Thus do We reward the Muhsinûn (good-doers). Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.” (Surah: As-Saffat: 37, Verses: 102-106)

 

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) not only passed the touchstone for son’s sacrifice; but his whole life also became an inspiring example of sacrifice. Hence, Muslims and even Jews and Christians accept him as their grandfather and what is more Allah selected him as His bosom friend and was titled “Khalilullah”, friend of Allah. The beloved prophet of Allah, Ibrahim, renounced his family, nation and his near and dear ones only for the sake of Almighty Allah. Consequently, he remained disconnected from his wife and son and left them in the holy Makkah desert for a long time. The worth mentioning event is that he had to give himself in the charge of blazing fire to shield the true religion and belief.

 

In the memory of the acid test of the father and son, the sacrifice has been recognised as Wajib (just less than obligatory) upon every rich (Sahab-e-Nisab) believer of the Muslim Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). Since then, everyone who follows prophet Ibrahim (AS) and believes in Allah’s Oneness as well as is able to sacrifice, be from any religion, fulfils this duty undoubtedly. One who is able to sacrifice and doesn’t abide by the commandment would be reckoned before Allah on the Day of Judgment. The sacrifice in the sight of Supreme Being is so much desirable that it was made Wajib to last till the last Day.

 

At present in the modern society, the logic-mania is taking root. The people seem to be crazy seek logical aspects and benefits in every commandment of the Allah (swt). It means if we find logical benefits, we would exercise it or else it would go into oblivion. It is not true and required belief and not the way of following up the religion. It can never be termed as following up and pursuance of the Deen. And the submission is what Ibrahim (as) performed and followed his beloved son, Ismail (as). The job performed by them was so much effective in the sight of Allah the Almighty that it became a commemorative event until the Day of Judgment.

 

In Islam, it has been made compulsory upon each rich Muslim to sacrifice to seek the pleasure of the Magnificent Allah and to follow the path of his beloved prophet Muhammad (saws). Prophet Muhammad (saws) used to sacrifice animals to get Allah’s pleaser. And his companions also performed sacrifice of animals to seek Allah’s pleasure. They were very sincere in seeking Allah pleasure and to safeguard Islam. So much so that, if it needed to offer sacrifice of their own, they showed no hesitance to carry out, as it had been observed in earlier ages of Islam.

 

(Once), the companions of the Messenger of Allah asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What is this sacrifice? He replied, “It is the tradition (Sunnah) of your father Ibrahim.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What is (virtue) in it for us?” He replied, “For every hair there is a virtue.” Then they asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What about wool?” He answered, “For every hair of wool there is a virtue.” (Ibne Majah, Ahmad)

 

Sacrifice occupies great importance for Muslims and they should practise to sacrifice the prescribed animals so that they can also sacrifice other beloved things for Islamic cause. And on the other hand, no system of the world can flourish without sacrifice. The community that has such spirit will prosper and accomplish the peak of success. But today’s tragedy is that the sacrifices lack sincerity and spirituality, because at the time of slaughtering the animals on the occasion of Eidul-Adhha, people express hypocrisy and insincerity. If one buys costly and expensive animal to sacrifice, the other one, comparing himself as the most valuable to him, tries to purchase more highly prized animal than him only to show his outstanding personality among people getting their appreciation and praise. Today, we nourish the animals and receive the benefit of its flesh, slaughtering them in Eid-ul-Adhha, but do not care the cleanness of our intention. We must be careful of our intentions as well as resources whether they are lawful or unlawful.

 

We should scrutinise ourselves about practising Allah’s rights and that of his slaves. We must be humble while putting forward the sacrifice in the court of Allah, the Almighty, and should always supplicate that the poor sacrifice is waiting for His acceptance. We should remember the exertion of Ibrahim (AS) and his son, Ismail (AS) before offering the animal to Allah. We should also keep the companions’ passion for Jihad in our mind and fervour for martyrdom. Afterwards, we should be hopeful to have our efforts accepted in the sight of the Supreme Lord. Since the meat, blood and skin of our slaughtered animals don’t reach Almighty Allah, but the thing goes to Him from us is only our piety. So, it is necessary to correct our intention and views. The holy Qur’an says: “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allâh, but it is piety from you that reaches Him.” (Al-Hajj: 22, Verse: 37)  qqq

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Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi is a notable freelancer. He has authored dozens of pieces on diverse topics such as politics, religion, Muslim World and society.