Through his willingness
to offer his son Hadhrat Ismail (as) in sacrifice, Hadhrat Ibrahim (as) displayed
tremendous commitment and extraordinary faith in executing a Divine Command. Islam,
thus, commends the sublime spirit of sacrifice for the sake of seeking the
pleasure of Allah (swt) in its rituals and faith-practices. The festival of
Eid-ul-Adha and the ritual of Qurbani integrated with it, in many ways, represent
the permanent remembrance of Muslims of the great sacrifice of the Great Patriarch
and Khalilullah. In his Friday
Sermon of 11 October 2013 (05
Dhul-Hijjah 1434 Hijri), the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim (atba)
of Mauritius continued the theme of the great sacrifice of Hadhrat Ibrahim (as)
and underscored the significance of Qurbani or Udh-hiya on the occasion
of Eid-ul-Adha.
Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:
“And when he reached the age of travelling with
him, he said: ‘My son, while I was sleeping I saw that I shall slaughter
(sacrifice) you, tell me what is your opinion.’ He replied: ‘Father, do as you
are ordered (by Allah). Allah willing, you shall find me one of those who are
steadfast.’” (37: 103)
Allah expounds on the sacrifice of cause of Hazrat
Ibrahim (upon him be peace) and Hazrat Ismail (upon him be peace) in
praiseworthy words. He (Allah) informs humanity in which way the unique son of
Ibrahim (upon him be peace) preferred the decree of Allah above all things. In
the verse which I just recited, Hazrat Ismail (upon him be peace) tells his
father: “Father, do as you are ordered (by Allah). Allah willing, you shall
find me one of those who are steadfast.” (37: 103)
Therefore, when both father and son submitted to
the will of Allah, then Allah Himself was extremely pleased with such a proof
of love and submission which both His chosen servants showed towards Him.
Hazrat Ibrahim (upon him be peace) offered the life of his son at the command
of Allah the Almighty, but (then) Allah, the Exalted says: “Wa fadaynaahu bizibhin ‘aziim” (37: 108) - And We ransomed him with a great
sacrifice.
The degree of the manifestation of this love which Hazrat Ibrahim (upon
him be peace) had for Allah was so great that it made manifest such an event
which has since marked the history of Islam. This gave way to a rite called Qurbani or Udhiya,
which has become a part of Islam. This sacrifice was continued by Hazrat
Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Allah made it obligatory on the Muslims who
have the means to do it. This sacrifice is not only prescribed for us, the
people, Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) but it was prescribed also
to people of the past also, like mentioned in the Holy Quran: “To
every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice), that they might celebrate the
name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food).” (Al-Hajj
22: 35)
