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The significance of sacrifice
Since the beginning of civilization, sacrifice has been the most celebrated channel of approach to God. All primal civilizations customarily approached their gods by sacrificing their riches in their way and thus atoning and asking forgiveness for their sins, misdeeds and felonies. In every nation and every realm, sacrifice has been a vital and fundamental aspect of worship.
Eidul Azha is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice made by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), by Muslims all over the world on the 10th of Zilhaj. It is one of the two religious festivals in Islam. The word Azha comes from Azhat meaning “Sacrifice.”
Eidul Azha is known as the festival of sacrifice as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) dreamt that he was sacrificing his beloved son, Hazrat Ismail. Regarding this as an indication from God Almighty, he willingly and unhesitatingly decided to convert the dream into reality. Taking his son, Hazrat Ismail, to the hill known as Merwah, he was about to sacrifice his son a lamb replaced Hazrat Ismail for sacrifice. God had intended to test Prophet Ibrahim’s faith in Him, so that this demonstration of faith in Allah and absolute submission to His will without subjugation to the paternal intuition may henceforth sparkle as a guiding light and a flare of instigation to His believers. It is to remember and honour this supreme sacrifice that Muslims celebrate Eidul Azha or Baqr Eid.
Muslims sacrifice a sheep, or a cow, camel, buffalo or generally goat in the way of God Almighty. According to the Islamic teachings, sacrificial animals can neither be blind, nor with broken horns or legs or have any other defect. Camels, cows and buffaloes may be sacrificed in the names of up to seven people, whereas a goat cannot be sacrificed in the name of more than one person. The period for the sacrifice extends from the time succeeding the Eidul Azha prayers up to the sunset of the third day.
To certify the camaraderie of the Muslim population, those who have the means must be educated to help the feeble and needy through their worldly possessions and riches; thus, the flesh of the sacrificed animal is divided into three equal parts, out of which one portion is consumed by the family and the rest is distributed uniformly among relatives and the needy. Although Islam permits the owner to utilize the hide of the sacrificed animal, the sale of the meat, hide or even bones of the animal is not permissible in order to spend the money on your own needs. Any cash received through such means may only be handed to the poor, the destitute, in orphanages and likewise.
Eidul Azha is a day of sacrifice which emphasizes the fact that eternal contentment, bliss and genuine elation are not attained by acquiring riches and fortunes, but by liberally and unstintingly giving away what one owns to the deprived and needy, for the satisfaction of the soul and to please Allah, the Almighty. Through this festival, financial disparity diminishes and a contended society comes into being, responsive to the requirements of the less privileged. This Eid also reminds us that utter refutation to doubt, scepticism and uncertainty in the accomplishment of God’s commands and will is the confirmation of our faith, trust and conviction in God.
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