The real meaning of sacrifice

What’s a sacrifice? A sacrifice, usually taken to be the slaughtering of animals, is more than that. A mother sacrifices her sleep for her children. Prophet Mohammed himself has been the embodiment of sacrifice all his life. The sacrifice of the animals is just a ritual whereas the essence lies far beyond.

After the five pillars of Islam, Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi (sacrifice) is the most important activity. This sacrifice is the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim who entertains the Prophetic patronage from three religions ie Jewism, Islam and Christianity. The festival also
symbolises the test of faith and loyalty to God.

The Islamic legend goes that Prophet Ibrahim was 90 and childless. After sustained prayers, God heeded and blessed him with a child named Ismael at this ripe old age. But soon after the child had grown a bit, God ordered Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his dearest thing. Ibrahim sacrificed his favourite camel. But when the same command appeared thrice, Prophet Ibrahim understood that God demanded the sacrifice of his son, Ismael. When he asked for his only son’s consent, Ismael was only too happy to ask his father to carry out God’s order.

The child was to taken to the sacrificial altar. While on the way Iblis (Satan) tried to misguide the father and son that God’s demand was too unethical and tyrannical and that they should not follow Allah’s command but it was futile on the part of the Satan. It is said that while Ibrahim was slitting the throat of his son, angels in the heavens wept with heart-rending cries. Ibrahim covered his eyes so that he may not waver.

After having slashed the neck of his son, Ibrahim saw his son was playing. Instead, a ram was lying sacrificed. This was the reward of God. It is clear that God didn’t want sacrifice of flesh and blood for His own sake. He wanted to test was the love and loyalty of His messenger.

Eid is also a day on which Muslims remember the deceased, visit the sick, see relatives and friends, overlook grudges, help the needy and show kindness and generosity to all. It is also a day for rejoicing by getting involved in a good, clean and halal ie honest enjoyment. In fact, sacrifice is the essence of life and we should leave no stone unturned to sacrifice our money, comfort and time for the downtrodden or deserving.