What is the significance of ‘Eid Al Adha?

EID AL ADHA: WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN? IT IS THE LEGACY OF THE FRIEND OF ALLAH

What is the significance of ‘Eid Al Adha? One of the main aspects is no doubt connected to the story of the Friend of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala), Ibraheem ('aleihi As-salaam). When Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) informed him to sacrifice his son, both father and son were ready to make the ULTIMATE sacrifice for the sake Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala).

Today, when the son goes to the other side of town, his mother becomes very anxious, telling him to be careful and come home on time. Imagine how the mother Hajar ('aleiha As-salaam) must have felt when she hugged her son on the day of the sacrifice, knowing that her son would never come back; and that after this day, there would be no one left to call her “mother”…….

Today, father and son go to the shop to buy toys, games or the latest gadgets etc. Imagine what Ibraheem and Ismail ('aleihim As-salaam) must have been thinking when they walking towards the place of sacrifice? Subhaan Allah, they were anxious like no human being has ever been anxious, but they were HAPPY to be able to carry out the command of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala).

This is why when the Shaytaan tried to stop them with false arguments and (il)logic, Ibraheem ('aleihi As-salaam) paid no attention to him, and stoned him away. This is what we need to do to people, things, situations, thoughts and arguments that come between us and the fulfilment of the command of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala).

The young Isma’il was ready to sacrifice his greatest asset – his own LIFE; while Ibraheem ('aleihi As-salaam) was making an even GREATER sacrifice; for it would have been easier for him to slay himself. But to slaughter his ONLY child for whom he had prayed for over FIFTY years with his OWN hands? His own death would have ended his pain, but the trauma of slaughtering his own child would have plagued him EVERY SINGLE moment of his life until he died. Every step he took, every gaze he made, every thought he had, every breath he took, every morsel he ate; the face of his innocent child would float in front of his eyes.

But they both ('aleihim As-salaam) placed the pleasure and command of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) above their own desires, and were willing to make the ULTIMATE sacrifice, even though it made NO LOGICAL SENSE to them WHATSOEVER !!!

THIS, my brothers and sisters, is the legacy of ‘Eid Al Adha – SACRIFICE. When we buy an expensive cow to slaughter, along with our wealth, let us also sacrifice our DESIRES, aims, dreams and ambitions, likes and dislikes, hopes and fears, and the core of our very SOUL; for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala), such that the ONLY thing we wish for is that which will please Him.

Such that, the ONLY thing we LOVE is that which is beloved to Our Creator. Such that the ONLY thing we dislike is that which is disliked by the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. A sacrifice such that we hope for NOTHING, other than to make HIM happy, and fear NOTHING, apart from His displeasure and anger.

May Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) grant us the ability to understand. EID MUBARAK !!!