The Sacrifice behind Eid-ul-Adha

 

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).

Eid-ul-Adha Sermon 2026

 Hajj & Qurbani

In its spiritual depth, Hajj and Qurbani are two rites that mark the soul of the Islamic Ummah and which, each year, remind some among us of the sacrifices of two great prophets of Allah – Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Isma’il (as), as well as the sacrifice of Hazrat Isma’il’s (as) mother, Hazrat Hajra (ra).

This year, while the world is prey to conflicts, political tensions and war, these rites remind us that true peace lies in submission to one Creator, one God, the Only True God: Allah (twa). They also make us realise that as long as we, Muslims, are not faithful to Islam as we should be, as long as we are not faithful to its teachings, whether in terms of Qur’anic teachings or prophetic teachings (the Sunnah), then Islam and Muslims will continue to feel weakened within, despite the fact that Allah has given us the capacity to prevail over adversaries and relentless enemies who wish to eradicate Islam and Muslims from the surface of the earth.

The gifts of Islam

 

Reproduced below is a section from the writings of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian [1835-1908], the Muslim saintly figure who claimed under Divine inspiration that he is the promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi of the Later Days. Hazrat Ahmad (as) explains here the transformative potential of Islamic beliefs and practices upon the spiritual fortunes of a human soul striving steadfastly and sincerely in the pure path of the Prophets, seeking the Face of God: attain true humility and Taqwah; gain Holy Communion- be blessed with Divine converse and dialogue, and thereby partake of lofty discourse and deep guidance; indeed, become a true heir to the cognition of God in their times.

Islam: An Incomparable Gift

 

Islam is a gift that Allah has given to humanity at its birth; and it is a more honourable gift for anyone who is born Muslim and who grows up in the Islamic environment. A child’s upbringing in this honourable environment means that the parents also have a very great responsibility to guide them and maintain them in this Islamic, pure environment until these children become sufficiently mature, especially after the age of puberty, to know the difference between good and evil and to choose with full awareness to follow the path of truth, the path of Islam; and to make effort themselves to remain attached to the straight path, and to do everything possible to gain the pleasure of Allah, and to become a true Muslim, not by birth or by the Islamic environment in which they grew up, but by choice; a choice that is personal, that is pure, where a child, an adolescent, or even an adult – whether a young adult or even one in middle age – all have a choice to make. After the parental education they have received, where their parents guided them towards Allah, towards His Deen, towards good practice that will lead them to Paradise, will they follow this path or follow a path led astray by the influence of bad companions, bad guides who exist in the world and whose primary work is to divert them from the straight path?

Preparation for the Afterlife

  

In Islam, we all know that this worldly life is temporary. Our bodies of clay and water, of flesh and bones, will decay; while it is our soul that will return to its Creator, the One Who gives life. The Creator is indeed the One Who gives life, and He is also the One Who takes life back. The life of a human being is an Amaanat (a trust) given to his parents, his family, his environment and native land – and wherever he resides upon the earth – only for a short time. Death is a truth that cannot be denied; it is an obligatory passage that every soul must taste. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Kullu nafsin zaa’ikatul mawt” [Every soul shall taste death.] (Al-‘Imran 3: 186)

Faith & Action

 

Faith and action is a subject that deserves deep reflection, because the relationship between the two cannot be broken. When a person believes in Allah, in the Day of Judgement, and in the message of the prophets, he receives a profound motivation to please his Creator, to walk on the straight path, and to prepare for his return to Him. Faith without action is like a lamp without light; and action without faith is like a body without a soul. Allah informs us in the Qur’an: “He who created life and death in order to test you, as to which of you is best in conduct; He is Mighty and Forgiving” (Al-Mulk 67: 3). This shows that existence itself is a test, an examination that humans must pass, and the principal criterion is the quality of their actions.

'Sunnah' on Labour Rights

 The Rights & Respect for all Good Workers

 

The human condition rests upon two fundamental states: either a person enjoys good health, or he is ill. Workers, like all people, deserve respect and justice in all circumstances. Islam teaches that every human being must be treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness. The right of a worker includes receiving a fair wage, work according to his capacity, and a balanced schedule that is healthy – not exceeding limits. When a worker falls ill, his employer must make arrangements for his physical and spiritual recovery; that is, to support him with sympathy and assistance. Our Creator – Allah – has shown that Islam is not merely a religion, but a complete code of life that protects the rights of every person, including workers.

 

In the Qur’an, Allah says: “Indeed, Allah commands you to fulfil your trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, judge with justice.” (An-Nisa 4: 59)