Festivals are symbols to be found in every religion that are celebrated in memory of prominent events, either linked to an adored personage or concerned with a particular religious event. The significance of festivals in a social life is not ignored also in Islam rather efforts have been made to derive maximum benefits from such events. There are only two major Eids (festivals) in Islam – Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. The former is celebrated on the first day of Shawal – the 10th month of the Islamic calendar – which marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan; and the later, is the festival of sacrifice and falls on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah – the final month of the Islamic calendar. It is celebrated to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (AS). As Eid-ul-Adha is ahead, let’s have a brief look at the history and philosophy of this festival.
Eid-ul-Adha dates from the historic event when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was commanded by Allah (SWT) in a form of dream vision consistently in three nights to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS), who was blessed to him at the age of 86, in order to examine and test Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) faith and submission to Allah. This whole story is ideally mentioned in the holy Quran, as Allah says, “Thereafter when he (Ismail) reached an age in which he could work with him (Ibrahim), he said, “O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you so consider, what do you think?” He replied, “O my dear father, do what you have been ordered to do. You will find me In Sha Allah (if Allah wills) among those who are patient” (37:102). This historic reply of Hazrat Ismail (AS) was beautifully summed up by the poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal (RA) in these words:
Ye Faizan-e-Nazar Tha Ya Ke Maktab Ki Karamat Thi
Sikhaye Kis Ne Ismail Ko Aadaab-e-Farzandi
(Was it the special blessing or the miracle of schooling, who taught Ismail such filial obedience?)
“So, it was a great episode, when both of them submitted themselves (to Allah’s will). And he (Ibrahim) laid him on his forehead” [37:103]. The commentators say that the meaning of this part of the verse “and he laid him on his forehead” is: He (Ibrahim) placed him by keeping his face down, so that he could slaughter him from behind, so that he could not see his face at the time of slaughter that could make him shaky as it was not as easy as it seems, especially for a father who is blessed with an only son that too at the age of 86. Here, it must be taken into consideration that Satan tried to tempt Ibrahim (AS) away three times and every time the Prophet pelted seven pebbles on him and drove him away. This is the reason right through till date, on three pillars of Mina, pebbles are thrown by Hajj pilgrims to commemorate this very endearing act.
Allah the almighty just wanted to test the faith of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) as mentioned above when he was about to sacrifice his son. Allah sent the Angel Jibra’eel (AS) with a huge ram. Jibra’eel (AS) informed Ibrahim (AS) that his dream vision was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son. “And then we called out to him, O Ibrahim you did make the dream come true”. And we ransomed him with a great sacrifice” (37:104-107). And Allah liked this act so much and since then, every year on the same date, He (SWT) made the Qurbani (sacrifice) compulsory for all those Muslims who can afford it. The act consists of slaughtering an animal, ideally, a goat, camel, bull or sheep, to mark this occasion in reminiscence of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) sacrifice for Allah (SWT). Therefore, Eid-ul-Adha means the festival of sacrifice.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when asked about the sacrifice replied: “It is the sunnah of your father Ibrahim.” When asked: “What is there for us in it?” He (SAW) replied: “For every hair of the sacrificed animal, there is one reward” [Sunan ibn Majah:3127]. In another narration, the Prophet (SAW) said, “That whosoever is capable of performing Qurbani but he does not perform, then such a person should not come close to my Eidgah [place where the Eid prayer is offered].” [Ibn-e-Mjah 2123], [Ahmad 8273].
The real essence of the sacrifice (Qurbani) is all about devotion and submission to Allah and obeying His commands with all sincerity like Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) did. Sacrificing an animal is just symbolic. “It is neither their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah, but what reaches him is taqwa (piousness) on your part” [22:37]. May Allah enable us to realise the real essence of the sacrifice.
The writer is a student of Economics at the University of Kashmir and can be reached at ma********@***il.com
The Essence And Philosophy of Eid-ul-Adha – The Festival of Sacrifice
