The Holy Qur’an emphasizes the significance of sacrifice and obedience to God’s commands through the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail. Quoting the relevant verse, “And when he attained to working with him, he said: O my son! I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou? He said: O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if Allah please, of those who are patient.”[5:102]Eid ul-Adha commemorates this supreme act of devotion and submission. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, elucidated its profound spiritual and moral lessons:
Obedience and Sacrifice
“The festival of sacrifice teaches us the lesson of obedience and submission to the will of God.” Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son exemplifies the highest level of obedience, which is the essence of faith. Similarly, Eid ul-Adha exhorts Muslims to make sacrifices in the way of God, whether physical or spiritual, to attain His pleasure.
Compassion and Charity
“The sacrifice on Eid ul-Adha is a manifestation of compassion and sympathy for the poor and needy.” By distributing meat among relatives, friends, and the underprivileged, Muslims express gratitude for God’s blessings and share their resources with those in need, fostering a spirit of brotherhood and solidarity.
Strengthening Faith
“The celebration of Eid ul-Adha is a means of strengthening one’s faith and establishing a closer relationship with God.” Through acts of worship, sacrifice, and remembrance of the noble examples set by the Prophets, Muslims renew their covenant with God and strive for spiritual purification and nearness to Him.Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the current Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, further expounds on the essence of Eid ul-Adha:
Righteousness and Taqwa
“If anyone is bereft of Taqwa [righteousness], even if hundreds of thousands of animals are sacrificed, God’s pleasure cannot be won.” True sacrifice lies in attaining righteousness, piety, and a God-conscious life, which is the ultimate goal of all religious observances.
Spreading Peace
“Islam is a religion of peace and security. Islam is a religion of love and kindness…they should deliver the message of peace to the world.” Eid ul-Adha presents an opportunity for Muslims to showcase the true peaceful teachings of Islam and promote harmony and understanding among all people.In essence, Eid ul-Adha is a powerful reminder for Muslims to embody the virtues of obedience, sacrifice, compassion, and righteousness in their lives, while striving to establish a closer connection with God and spreading the message of peace and love to humanity.
Radio VOIB 