Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu.
Eid
Mubarak!
The sacrifice of our forefather Hazrat Ibrahim
(as) and his only son at the time – Hazrat Isma’il (as) – [before the birth of
Ishaq (as)] is a central event in Islamic history. It is remembered every year
during Eid-ul-Adha. Allah tested Ibrahim’s faith and devotion by commanding him
in a dream to sacrifice his son Isma’il (as). This event is mentioned in the
Holy Quran:
“Then when (the child) reached the age to walk with him, (Ibrahim) said, ‘O my son, I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you. See then what you think.’ He replied, ‘O my dear father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the steadfast.’” (As-Saffat, 37: 103)
Both Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Isma’il (as)
accepted this divine decree with complete submission. However, as Hazrat
Ibrahim (as) was about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah sent Hazrat Jibreel
(as) to stop him. Allah then commanded him to sacrifice a ram instead of
Isma’il (as), as He had already accepted Ibrahim’s obedience. The act of
sacrifice was symbolic, showing that the true essence of sacrifice lies in
piety and submission to Allah.
“We ransomed him with a great
sacrifice.” (As-Saffat
37: 108)
Thus, sacrificing an animal from the categories
of camels and cattle (bulls, cows, rams, sheep, and goats) represents complete
submission to Allah. It reminds us that the sacrifices we make in life should
be done with sincerity and faith.
With the advent of Ibrahim (as) and Isma’il (as),
the worship of the One True God regained its place in human society. The
Ka’aba, which had fallen into ruin over time, was revived by the command of
Allah. After sending Ibrahim (as) and Isma’il (as) to the location of the
Ka’aba, Allah revealed to them the task of rebuilding His House, the first
mosque for the worship of Allah, the One True God. Historically, this mosque
was originally built by Hazrat Adam (as), the first prophet of Allah, who
received divine inspiration and was created from the divine essence.
The Ka’aba was restored during the lifetime of
Ibrahim (as) and Isma’il (as), but later, over time, it became a place of idol
worship by pagans. To revive the belief in Allah’s oneness and restore the true
purpose of the Ka’aba, Allah raised Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) as the final
law-bearing prophet, carrying the ultimate law to preserve Islamic monotheism.
As part of the pillars of Islam, Allah initially commanded His Prophet Hazrat
Ibrahim (as) and also Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) to proclaim the pilgrimage (Hajj)
to the believers:
“And announce the pilgrimage to the
people. They will come to you on foot and on every kind of transport, from
every distant path.” (Al-Hajj ,
22: 28)
Thus, Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam
and a major act of worship for believers.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was often asked
about the best deeds to perform. His companion Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) reported
that this question was asked three times, and on each occasion, the Holy
Prophet (pbuh) gave a different response, putting to light different acts of
worship.
Among the best actions, the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
said:
1. Faith in Allah and His Messenger: “The best
action is faith in Allah and His Messenger.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
2. Striving in the path of Allah: “The
second-best action is striving in the path of Allah.” (Bukhari)
3. An accepted Hajj (Hajj Mabrur): “An
accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
A Hajj Mabrur is a pilgrimage performed
with sincerity and accordance with Islamic teachings. It differs from a Hajj
Mardud (a rejected Hajj), which does not meet the required conditions. The
signs of an accepted Hajj include:
1. A spiritual and moral transformation after the
pilgrimage.
2. Improved performance of prayers and religious
duties.
3. Greater awareness of the rights of others and
social justice.
Before undertaking Hajj, it is advisable to
consult scholars who are knowledgeable about pilgrimage and study its rules,
including the obligations (Fara’iz), prophetic practices (Sunnah),
and essential duties (Wajibat).
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) performed Hajj with great
precision, and it is necessary to follow his example. Islamic traditions
mention that Hazrat Ibrahim’s (as) sacrifice took place in Mina. Thus, the
journey from Mina to Arafah, Muzdalifa, and back to Mina, where the sacrifice
occurs, reflects Islamic unity and collective consciousness in commemorating
Ibrahim’s (as) dream and sacrifice, along with the sacrifice made by Hazrat
Hajra (ra), Isma’il’s (as) mother, who accepted Allah’s command with unwavering
faith.
When speaking of Hajj, the importance of Mount
Arafat must also be mentioned, as it was the sacred site where the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) delivered his Farewell Sermon during his final Hajj. This
sermon conveyed a universal message of justice, equality, and brotherhood. The
Prophet (pbuh) declared:
“O people! Your Lord is one and your father
(Adam) is one. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, nor is a non-Arab superior to
an Arab, nor is a white person superior to a black person, nor is a black
person superior to a white person, except in piety.” (Ahmad)
Yaum-e-Arafah (The Day of Arafah), on the 9th day of
Dhul-Hijjah, is one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. It marks the
day when pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat to pray and seek forgiveness from
Allah. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“There is no day when Allah frees more souls from
the fire of Hell than on the Day of Arafah.” (Muslim)
This day is also significant for non-pilgrims, as
fasting is highly recommended. The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Fasting on the Day of Arafah erases the sins of
the previous year and the coming year.” (Muslim)
It is a day of repentance, supplication, and
mercy, when believers should turn to Allah with sincerity.
The gathering at Arafat is a key pillar of Hajj,
and without this stage, the pilgrimage is invalid. It is a time when pilgrims
spend the day in worship and supplication, seeking forgiveness for their sins.
Thus, the sacrifice performed during Eid-ul-Adha
on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah in Mina is an important act of devotion. It
commemorates the remarkable sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and his family in
Makkah. However, it is crucial to remember that animal sacrifice in Islam is
purely symbolic. Allah states in the Holy Quran:
“Neither their flesh nor their
blood reaches Allah, but what reaches Him is your piety.” (Al-Hajj, 22: 38)
May Allah accept the Hajj of the millions of
pilgrims who have sacrificed their time and wealth for His cause. May He
forgive them, grant them a new reformed life, and give victory to the entire
Muslim community. May Allah open the way for the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam to
perform Hajj in peace and serenity. One day, my sincere followers will
undertake their Hajj openly, without hiding their identity. This will be a true
sign of Islam’s victory – Sahih Al Islam. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
I wish everyone Eid Mubarak (in advance).
May Allah accept your sacrifices – not only the sacrifice of animals but also
your sacrifices in His cause, to spread His truth in the world. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
---Special Eid Ul Adha 2025 Message from Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.