Mystic Mantra: Philosophy of sacrifice

Love lies at the root of sacrifice. Eid ul-Adha (feast of sacrifice), also known as Baqr-Eid, commemorates the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. But it actually marks the divinely inspired sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) in his path of divine love. He willed to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail, when he was asked to sacrifice something most precious for God’s pleasure. The most beloved to Ibrahim was his son—Ismail—who was born when both the parents were in old age. Hazrat Ibrahim and his wife spent their early life without a child. After their constant prayers for a child, Ismail was given birth like a miracle. Even then, Ibrahim submitted his will to sacrifice his beloved son for the pleasure of God. This is narrated in the Qur’an:

“When he was of an age to work with him, he [Ibrahim] said, ‘My son, I saw in a dream that I must sacrifice you. What do you think about this?’ He [Ismail] said, ‘Do as you are ordered, father. God willing, you will find me steadfast.’ Allah ransomed him with a mighty sacrifice. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice”. (108:2)

Allah accepted Ibrahim’s sacrifice and submission and put a sheep in place of Ismail. Thus, Hazrat Ibrahim’s devotion and complete submission to the will of God is the core value that we need to emulate during this Eid. This requires from us to inculcate compassion for the mankind in our infinite devotion for God. This is precisely why Muslims are exhorted to sacrifice and distribute the halal (permissible) meat to those who cannot afford their meals. However, the real essence of this festival does not lie in meat, flesh or blood. It is rather Taqwa— righteousness and piety— which has to be attained through the spirit of devotion and sacrifice.  The Qur’an makes it patently clear: “their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.” (22:37).

So basically, Baqr-Eid gives a three-fold message to us: piety, charity and equality between the rich and the less fortunate. In his sermons on this occasion, Prophet Muhammad would stress on the need for equality of mankind, God-consciousness, generosity, almsgiving and peaceful co-existence of Bani Adam (children of Adam). The final sermon delivered by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) during this festival, known as Khutba Hajjatul Wada, relays: “Verily your blood, your property are as sacred and inviolable as the sacredness of this day of yours....All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab. A white has no superiority over a black nor does a black have any superiority over a white, except by piety and good action”.

At the end of the Hajj pilgrimage, Prophet, along with his devout companions (Sahabis) would abundantly donate food items to the needy. Thus, most significantly, this fest evokes in us deep concern for the needy and hungry people. It offers us an opportunity for internal deliberations on the plight of the poor and the destitute, imbuing them with the spirit of generosity, compassion and care for the poor. In fact, this is the core philosophy behind this feast of sacrifice — Eid al-Adha. Sacrifice nourishes and increases one’s divine faith and strength. It transforms our belief into a living reality.