Eid-ul-Azha, Moral of the Story

"‘O Rabb! Grant me a righteous son’.
So We gave him the good news of a gentle son.
When he reached the age to work with him, Ibrahim said to him:
"O my son! I have seen a vision that I should offer you as a sacrifice, now tell me what is your view."
He replied: "O my father! Do as you are commanded: you will find me, if Allah so wills, of the patient."
And when they both submitted to Allah and Ibrahim laid down his son prostrate upon his forehead for sacrifice;
We called out to him: "O Ibrahim stop!
You have fulfilled your vision." Thus do We reward the righteous.
That was indeed a manifest test.
We ransomed his son for a great sacrifice and We left his good name among the later generations.
Salutation to Ibrahim.
Thus We reward the righteous.
Surely he was one of Our believing devotees.”

[The Holy Quran, Surah As’Saffat, Verses 100-111]

Prophet Ibrahim AS was very special to Allah SWT. He became so special to Allah SWT because he proved himself every time Allah SWT tested him for faith, loyalty and commitment to Allah SWT. So much so, that Allah SWT titled him Khalil’ullah, meaning Friend of Allah.

The greatest test he stood through was when Allah SWT inspired him to sacrifice his son for the sake of Allah SWT. It was truly the biggest test of the beginning and end of times. Prophet Ibrahim AS sought to do it, for the trust he had in Allah SWT.

Prophet Ibrahim AS has been childless till the age of eighty-five. Allah SWT heard the distress of his wife and inspired her, “Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ismael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.” Prophet Ibrahim AS thus named his son, Ismael, meaning ‘God shall hear’, for indeed God did hear. [1]

Prophet Ibrahim AS was tested yet again, when he was inspired by Allah SWT to place his beloved wife and son in the barren valley of Becca, now called Makkah. Hajrah AS asked Prophet Ibrahim AS in torn emotions, ‘Who are you entrusting us to in this barren valley?’ Prophet Ibrahim AS said nothing except pointing towards the Heavens.

It were the thirsty cries of this great baby, Prophet Ismael AS, that welled up the Holy Water, Zam Zam, in this barren valley. And the wallowing of a great mother, Hajrah AS, that set in practice a ritual amongst the rituals of Hajj, in remembrance of her great patience and struggle for the Pleasure of Allah SWT.

This great family was tested a third time, the test we Muslims conceptualize every year upon Eid-ul-Azha. It is the concept of sacrificing your beloved for the sake of Allah SWT when called for, whence Allah SWT never actually harms you, only fortifies you and whatever happens is for the best.

Prophet Ismael AS had reached the loveable age of running around and speaking when Prophet Ibrahim AS was inspired to sacrifice him. Prophet Ibrahim AS conferred with his son as to what he thought of the idea. Prophet Ibrahim AS found his great son steadfast and encouraging upon Allah SWT’s Will.

Only, having sympathy for his father’s fatherly feelings, he suggested him to tie a blindfold upon his eyes so that he may not waver while sacrificing him. Thus Prophet Ismael AS was laid, the blindfold tied and the knife brandished. The Earth awaited and the Skies looked on and the knife was slaked. And behold! Prophet Ismael AS stood there all and well and in his place a sheep had been slaughtered from the Heavens.

Moral of the Story,
We should seek newer recipes each year to cook the meat that comes from the ‘sacrifice’ we make for the pleasure of Allah SWT upon Eid-ul-Azha.

Is that a correct conclusion?

Is this not what we exhibit each year of our understanding of Eid-ul-Azha?

Point to Ponder…
Have I recently been tested with something I love and the Will of Allah SWT? Did I make the right choice between the two? Did I follow the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim AS and thus truly celebrate Eid-ul-Azha this year?

[1] Muhammad, by Martin Lings, Published by Suhail Academy