Eid-ul-Adha (Bakr Eid) remains a profoundly sacred moment – the greatest Eid – which recalls an extraordinary story: that of the Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and his son Hazrat Isma’il (as). Allah commanded Hazrat Ibrahim (as) through a vision to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Isma’il (as). Hazrat Isma’il (as) had not yet reached the age of puberty, yet at this tender age he accepted with complete submission that his father should sacrifice him by Allah’s command; Hazrat Isma’il (as) displayed unparalleled courage and faith. The Qur’an honours him in these words, where his sacrifice was immortalised: “When they both submitted (to Allah’s command) and Ibrahim laid him down upon his forehead, We called out to him: ‘O Ibrahim, you have indeed fulfilled the vision.’ Thus do We reward those who do good. Surely this was a clear test.” (As-Saffat 37: 104-107).
Here we see that the instruction in Ibrahim’s
vision was only a test from Allah. Hazrat Ibrahim (as) did not dismiss it as
“just a dream”; he heard Allah speaking in his vision, believed in the truth of
the divine word, and made himself absolutely ready to respond to Allah’s call.
Yet without the consent of Isma’il (as), he could not have proceeded, for
Ibrahim (as) knew that every human life, every soul, has free will, the ability
to choose its path, and he was conscious that without his son’s approval he
could not move forward with the sacrifice.
Therefore, he consulted his son, explained to
him that it was a divine command, and that as believers we must submit
completely to the divine will. At that young age – not yet having reached puberty – Hazrat
Isma’il (as) understood the wisdom of submission to Allah’s will. He realised
that a life lived against the divine will is wasted, and that all blessings
come from submission to Allah. His approval allowed father and son to proceed.
When Hazrat Ibrahim (as) heard his son’s positive response, he felt immense
pride, admiration, tenderness and love for this son whom Allah had granted him
in old age, and whom Allah was now asking him to return as a trust in the form
of sacrifice.
In the context of divine revelation, we speak
of sacrifice, not murder, for if it had not been Allah’s command, Hazrat
Ibrahim (as) would never have carried out such a plan. It had to be a divine
plan, which compelled Ibrahim (as) to inform his son and seek his permission.
Without Isma’il’s (as) consent, the sacrifice we commemorate today and until
the Day of Judgement would never have existed. The rites of Hajj are themselves
in commemoration of what these two great prophets, along with Hazrat Hajra
(ra), the mother of Hazrat Isma’il (as), did. When Isma’il (as) was still a
baby, under divine instruction, Hazrat Ibrahim (as) left them near the site of
the Holy Ka’aba with only a water flask and a few dates.
Thus, from infancy, Allah decreed his destiny
in the desert of Bakkah (Makkah). There was no water source, and the spring of
Zamzam gushed forth by divine mercy in response to the cries of Hazrat Isma’il
(as) and the desperate search of Hazrat Hajra (ra), who ran seven times between
the hills of Safa and Marwa seeking water to quench her child’s thirst and then
her own. This story from its very beginning shows us the beauty and value of
true sacrifice for Allah’s cause – a sacrifice made with sincerity of heart. Hazrat
Hajra (ra) too accepted that Hazrat Ibrahim (as) obeyed the divine command to
leave her and her child in such a barren place with only a few provisions that
would soon run out. This demonstrates the greatness of soul of two blessed
adults and servants of Allah, with a child destined for divine blessing.
The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) clearly
taught us the practice of sacrifice. In Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Bara (ra) reported
that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The first thing we do on this day is the
prayer (Eid Salat); then we return and perform the sacrifice. Whoever does this
has followed our Sunnah; but whoever sacrifices before the prayer, it is merely
meat (a gift) for his family, and it does not count as Nusuk (sacrifice).”
In another Hadith reported in Sahih al-Bukhari
and Sahih Muslim, Jundab (ra) narrated that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever
sacrifices before the prayer must sacrifice again; and whoever has not yet
sacrificed should do so in the name of Allah.” This shows that sacrifice is
not a mere slaughter of an animal; it is an act to be observed in accordance
with what Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) practised and commanded.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Neither their flesh nor their blood reaches Allah; but
it is your piety that reaches Him.” (Al-Hajj 22: 38)
Authentic Hadiths confirm this: the accepted
sacrifice is that which is done with pure intention and piety. In Sahih
al-Bukhari, Anas ibn Malik (ra) reported: “Whoever sacrifices before the
prayer has sacrificed only for himself; but whoever sacrifices after the
prayer, his sacrifice is complete and he has followed the tradition of the
Muslims.”
Therefore, Eid-ul-Adha teaches us that every
action must be accompanied by pure intention. Sacrifice is an inner
disposition, a state of soul that prepares a person to give priority to divine
will over personal desires. In daily life, sacrifice takes many forms:
sacrificing time for prayer, sacrificing comfort to help the poor, sacrificing
pride to preserve family peace. In a Hadith compiled in Sahih Muslim, Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever endures trials with patience, Allah will
grant him a reward without measure.”
Sacrifice also develops inner discipline.
Hazrat Ibrahim (as) showed that even in the hardest trial, a servant of Allah
remains firm. Hazrat Isma’il (as) showed that children and youth too can reach
extraordinary levels of faith. Every sincere sacrifice brings greater reward.
Allah replaced sacrifice with blessing; He showed that sincere sacrifice
attracts divine mercy.
Beyond Eid, the spirit of sacrifice must
continue in every field: in work, sacrifice means acting honestly even when tempted
to act dishonestly; in family, sacrifice means forgiving even when it is
difficult; in community, sacrifice means sharing even when resources are
limited. Each sacrifice becomes a light that illuminates life and draws one
closer to the Creator.
Eid-ul-Adha also reminds us of unity. When
Muslims worldwide perform sacrifice, it creates a spiritual bond among us all.
But unity must not remain confined to ritual; it must translate into
solidarity, mutual respect, and support for the weak. Personal sacrifice
nourishes collective sacrifice; collective sacrifice strengthens brotherhood.
Verily, the spirit of sacrifice is a path to
inner freedom. When a person frees himself from excessive attachment to
material things, he acquires profound peace. Hazrat Ibrahim (as) freed himself
from attachment to his son despite his deep love; Hazrat Isma’il (as) freed
himself from attachment to life; and Allah replaced their sacrifice with
immense blessing. This shows that every sincere sacrifice brings even greater
reward.
Thus, Eid-ul-Adha is not merely a festival; it
is a lesson teaching submission, sincerity, patience, solidarity, and inner
freedom. The Qur’anic verses and Hadiths show that sincere sacrifice remains
among the highest acts of faith. Whoever understands this sees in every moment
of life an opportunity to sacrifice part of himself to gain closeness to Allah.
Therefore, the spirit of sacrifice in
Eid-ul-Adha and beyond is a constant reminder that true greatness of a servant
lies in his ability to say “yes” to the divine will, even when it is difficult.
Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Isma’il (as) gave an eternal example of this;
and every Muslim generation must draw inspiration from it to live a life filled
with faith, discipline, and solidarity. Insha-Allah.
May Allah accept our sacrifices in His path,
grant us the opportunity to demonstrate the purity of our faith in sincere and
eternal submission, and accept our faith as genuine, strengthening it by His
infinite mercy. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 29 May 2026~ 11 Dhu'l Hijjah 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.