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The Muslims enjoy two major celebrations in a year, i.e. the Eid-ul-Fitr and the Eid-ul-Adha. While the Eid-ul-Fitr is the day of rejoicing which the Almighty gives the Muslim believer after a month of fasting for His sake, the Eid-ul-Adha is a time for deep reflection and analysis of one’s own obedience to Allah’s commandments and the teachings and practices of His beloved prophets and role models for mankind.
EID-UL-ADHA embodies true submission to the Will of Allah, following
His instructions to the letter and sacrificing for His sake to reap His
pleasure. It commemorates the greatest sacrifice that a father and a Man of God
had to make for the love of His Creator: to sacrifice his only son after years
of being deprived of the joys of fatherhood.For any human, bearing children is an immense joy. It is a sign
of the continuity of life, of hope for a better tomorrow knowing that one’s
child who lives in one’s image will live on to become, God willing (Insha
Allah), a good person and carry on one’s name and heritage for a
long time to come.
The Patriarch Abraham, or better known as Ibrahim (as) in Islam,
had given us one of the greatest lesson to cherish and follow for all times.
After years of being childless and taking patience on his plight, Allah (God
Almighty) rewarded him with a handsome and gentle child in advanced old age
with his second wife Hajrah [Agar] (ra); a child who was later to become a
great prophet and the pious ancestor of the Seal of all prophets, Muhammad
(saws).
Through a revelatory dream which he had seen after the birth of
his son Isma’il (as), Prophet Ibrahim decided to wait till his son became
mature enough to take a decision about the execution of the divine plan as
established in the vision. The Holy Quran gives us a peek into that time when
it says:
“And when he
(i.e. Isma’il) reached the age of travelling with him (i.e. Ibrahim), he said:
‘My son, while I was sleeping I saw that I was slaughtering (or sacrificing)
you, tell me what is your opinion.’ He replied: ‘Father, do as you are ordered
(by Allah). God willing, you shall find me one of those who are steadfast.’ And
when they had both submitted, and his son had laid down prostrate upon his forehead,
We called to him, saying: ‘O Ibrahim, you have confirmed your vision. ‘As such
We recompense the good-doers. That was indeed a clear trial. So, We ransomed
him with a mighty sacrifice.” (Quran 37:
103-108)
We see from these holy verses that despite his young age,
Isma’il was deeply wise and attached to God Almighty and His commandments. The
will of Allah had top priority in his life. He never backed off from the divine
will, and thus what happened? Allah rewarded his noble parents and himself with
such an honour which will live on till the end of times.
God Almighty did not take his life. This vision was only a trial
for his parents and himself so that they might enter into the realm of God’s
exceptional and most obedient servants. They were, are and will remain
excellent leaders of all times. One has just to study their lives and the
choices they made for the welfare of the faith in the Unique God and act upon
them to flourish as individuals and servants of Allah.
Everything has a
purpose in life: Isma’il birth, the
emigration of his mother and himself unto the land of present-day Mecca and
living far away from his father and only seeing him from time to time, and
submitting to the will of Allah in whatever befell him, this gave rise to an
absolute spiritual training which God Almighty made him and his pious parents
go through so that the excellence of their characters and their inner selves
shine forth as perfect guidance for the people of all times.
And the Zamzam Well which appeared by his feet, and the
exquisite honour which Allah gave him to rebuild the House of Humanity (i.e.
the Holy Ka’aba) along with his noble father, all these are accumulated gemmy
pious deeds which God Almighty guided them to accomplish, to prepare the way
for the manifestation of His perfect Way of Life, i.e. Islam and the advent of
the Seal of all prophets, i.e. Muhammad (saws).
Today, by the grace of God Almighty, that sacrifice paid off in
that which the Holy Ka’aba – in the blessed land of Bakkah [i.e.
present-day Mecca] – became the centre (of pilgrimage) for all Muslim believers
to circumambulate in obedience to the Divine Commandments and the holy practice
of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (saws). The prayers of Ibrahim and Isma’il
were listened to by Allah and He rewarded them in their line (i.e. both
biological and spiritual) with such a prophet who was to become the best
prophet and messenger of all times.
After laying the foundation of the House of Humanity, they prayed: “Our Lord, accept (this) from us. You are indeed the All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our descendants a nation submissive unto You, and show us our ways of worship, and relent toward us, for You are the Ever Relenting, the Most Merciful. Our Lord, make a messenger of their own rise up from among them, to recite Your revelations to them, teach them the Scripture and wisdom, and purify them: You are the Mighty, the Wise.” (Quran 2: 128-130)
So, if today’s Muslims really reflect on the lessons taught to us by the great Patriarch, his noble wife and first-born son as well as their blessed seed, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saws), we should stop assassinating our own Islam and turn exclusively to Allah in worship and make such sacrifices which will make Allah and the people of our time proud. God Almighty asks of us our special attention to His worship (His exclusive worship) and that we live our Islam by being truly Muslims in every way. It is in this way that we can proudly say [a pride not marred by arrogance but filled with profound humility] that we are the servants of Allah and true followers of His great prophets Abraham, Ishmael and Muhammad (pbut). Insha Allah, Ameen.
I wish to all my Muslim brothers, sisters and children, an EID-UL-ADHA MUBARAK! May you live to sacrifice for the cause of Allah with a pure golden heart devoid of any selfish desires, and to open your hearts to the call of that Lord (Allah) Who calls you to Him in perfect submission to His will. Insha Allah, Ameen.
___Le Mauricien, 09 July 2022.