'Eid-ul-Adha': Celebrate the Spirit of Sacrifice

(A special message of Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Adha, was published in two newspapers in Mauritius on Friday 01 Sep. 2017:   Le Socialiste (Pg. 2), Le Mauricien - Forum (Pg. 15). 

A Mighty Sacrifice for the Cause of Allah

Since time immemorial, men have always been making sacrifices, all for the cause of God Almighty. All religions in the world teach sacrifice for the sake of God and the goodwill of humanity. Likewise, the Muslims also, in the spirit of the Eid-ul-Adha festival are called to do such sacrifices which would assure them the pleasure of Allah if done with sincerity, purity of body and mind; such selfless sacrifices which would be an example for all humanity to follow. 

'Eid-ul-Adha' Sermon 2017

Eid-ul-Adha commemorates the great sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Ismail (as). It is indeed Hazrat Ibrahim (as) who accomplished all rights of fidelity. He could not have become an intimate creature and servant of Allah, were it not for the sincerity, cleanliness and purity he displayed, and it would have been difficult for him to arrive at such stage (in the eyes of Allah/ in the realm of spirituality).

To fulfil all rights of fidelity, Hazrat Ibrahim (as) had to make such efforts to purify his heart and remove all 'Ghairullah' (all that is not Allah) and filled it with the love of Allah and act according to the will of Allah. Hazrat Ibrahim (as) had persevered in this path and showed himself ever firm, to such an extent that he once dreamt that he was sacrificing his son. So, concerning his dream, he could have given it several interpretations, but his faith in Allah was so firm that he decided to go through with the literal sacrifice of his young son, with his own hand.

Ponder over this. Imagine the state of a person if his son suddenly dies due to some illness. That person can reach such stage where he starts to have all kinds of doubts on Allah, and thus he opens his mouth to utter countless complaints and objections against Allah.

So, Hazrat Ibrahim (as) crushed the love he had for his son and above all preferred to show his love for Allah (swt). This kind of person, Allah does not let him lose anything and he becomes the friend of Allah.

When you read the Holy Quran, you see how much love he had for Allah (swt) and Allah (swt) in return gave him lots of revelations and granted him, in his progeny, prophets. Both his sons Ismail (as) and Ishaq (as) were prophets and through them (i.e. their bloodline), many more prophets came.  In the example  of Hazrat Ibrahim (as), there is a lesson for all humanity; a lesson of sincerity and faithfulness. That is why Ibrahim (as) has been qualified as the one who showed faithfulness (fidelity) and sincerity.

Surah Quraysh: A Commentary

1. In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

2. For the covenants (of security and safeguard enjoyed) by the Quraysh,

3. Their covenants (covering) journeys by winter and summer,-

4. Let them worship the Lord of this House,

5. Who provides them with food against hunger, and with security against fear (of danger)!

The Quraysh loved their city, Mecca and they were proud of this place. First of all, Mecca is positioned in such a way that the Quraysh and the other inhabitants of Mecca felt safe and moreover this place was the ideal place for trade and through this they earned a lot of profits. With all the facilities that Allah has given them, they should have been the first to accept that the message that Allah had revealed through His beloved Prophet (pbuh) is a message of truth. But unfortunately they turned their backs except a small part of them who had accepted the Message of Islam.

Who had given the Quraysh their talents for commerce/ trade, manual works and how to straighten out a difficult situation? It is Allah of course! He also gave them intuitions to move at the right time to trade and make Mecca a place where no enemy could enter. Despite all this, they rejected the message of Allah. Instead of showing gratitude to Allah, they denigrated His signs and His prophet.

This Surah shows us that all our successes and the powers we possess on this earth come from Allah. Without Him, we are helpless and powerless. So, for all the blessings that He gives us we must be grateful to Him for this and we must worship Him alone as He deserves and we must see that all our actions are in accord with His will and glory.