The Meaning Of Maal Hijrah

Maal Hijrah, which is also called Awal Muharram, is an important day for muslim. It falls on the first day of Muharram on every Muslim calender year, which is the first day on muslim calender.

The meaning of Maal Hijrah in English is migration. On this day, Muslim remember Nabi Muhammad S.A.W migrate from Mekkah to Madinah on the year 622 A.D. Besides, Maal Hijrah also mean changes from bad to good side and can be said as starting point and evaluate inner-self on self achievement.

Awal means beginning in English and Muharram is the first month of muslim calender. In another words, this is the first day in Muslim calendar. Therefore, this is also the new year for all Muslim.

This day has became an important religious day for all muslim. All the mosque will have solat sunat.

Wishing all Muslims a " Happy Maal Hijrah 1441".

The creation is in need for Allah

Man always looks for what benefits him and what protects him from harm. However, to accomplish this, man must be able to realize what is harmful. He must then know whom he should need, trust, and love so that he can attain what is beneficial as well as to feel good about his choice.

He also must know the proper and good approach that would make him achieve this goal. This latter condition requires that man: 

1.Know about harm 
2.What ways can be used to drive harm away? 

Certainly, man can have no better guidance than that which comes from the One Who had perfected everything, and the One who Has no deficiency in Himself and in His Attributes. The One Who is Ever-Living and Who does not die. There can be no One better than the One Who Has no need for anything; the One Who is rich; the Giver; the One who, after all, controls man's soul. Man is so poor to Him. He is Allah, the True and only God. Man can bring harm to himself if he seeks other than Allah for help. Allah is the One Who can help man drive away any harm for it cannot occur without His Will and His Power. 

Allah Almighty sent down His Books and chose His Messengers to guide man to: 

1. Know His Lord as He Almighty had explained about Himself, and 

2. Seek Him Alone while living in accordance with His plan 

Knowing Allah's Names and Attributes liberates man from worshiping any form of creation because creation is weak and is in need of The Creator, Allah. The knowledge about Allah leads man to know that he is created to live according to Allah's way as revealed to His Messengers may Allah exalt their mention the final of whom was Messenger Muhammad . 

This Revelation contains a complete code of life. Everything that is beneficial or harmful is established so that man can center his life around this Revelation. If man commits wrong and knows that Allah is Oft-Forgiving he would turn to Him, and to Him alone, seeking His forgiveness; Allah Says (what means): "So know, [O Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam], that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin ." [Quran 47:19] 

It is wrong to think or believe that Allah created other 'gods' besides Him so that man turns to them for help; loves them or fear them, etc. He is the same God of all nations. He does not order that people should make of stars, sun, fire, 'Eesa (Jesus), Moosa (Moses), Muhammad may Allah exalt their mention etc. gods besides Him. He (Most Exalted) cannot be 'contradictory'. He has one way (religion) that calls man to surrender his will only to Him. 

He warned that if man (even Muhammad ) would take partners with Him, then his work will fail and will be among losers; Allah Says (what means): "And verily, it had been revealed to you (O Muhammad ) as has been revealed to those before you. If you join others in worship with Allah (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain and you will certainly be among the losers. Nay! But worship Allah and be among grateful." [Quran 39:65-66] 

Let us know what Muhammad  the man-Prophet, who knew Allah best, used to say: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You for Your Pleasure and against Your Wrath, and in Your Forgiveness and against Your Punishment and in You from You, I cannot Praise You as You can Praise Yourself." (Muslim, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmithi, Ibn Majah) 

He  used to say also: "I have surrendered myself to You, I have directed my face to You, I have entrusted my affairs to You, I have compelled my back to refuge in You, in want and in fright of You, there is no resort nor survival from You except (in turning) to You. I have faith in Your book (i.e. the Quran) which You brought down and in the Prophet (Muhammad ) you have sent." (Al-Bukhari & Muslim) 

When we read in the Quran (what means): "Whatever of Mercy (i.e. of good), Allah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." [Quran 35:2]

And when we read (what means): "If Allah touches you with hurt, there is none can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His favor which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will, and He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."[Quran 10:117]

We should be motivated to return to Him Alone at times of ease and at times of hardship. And when we read (what means): "If Allah helps you none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there, after Him, that can help you. And in Allah (alone) let believers put their trust." [Quran 3:160] 

The Quran, therefore, leads man to a true liberation from any false attachment. It brings peace to the heart. It helps the believer against hypocrisy and all forms of dishonesty. 

Imagine, for example, a believer facing a problem at work. He sees wrong and faces unlawful practices. He does not fear rejecting what is wrong. He knows that the job is only a means to gain his sustenance. While he may be unable to correct what is wrong, he knows well that Allah is the One Who provides. If he leaves his job for the sake of Allah, Allah will give him a better one. Allah Almighty Said (what means): "And whoever fears Allah—He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah — then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent." [Quran 65:2-3]

The above texts, necessitates that man must depend upon Allah Almighty asking Him Alone for assistance. It also requires that man must love Allah and worship Him Alone to gain His pleasure and His help. Is it not true that the people who consider this life as the "Final Goal" end up worshiping many things in it? You see them so careful about "having it all". They torture themselves: pain, difficulty, constant worry, keeping their hands in the banks for loan after loan to keep up with the "demands of development". They are under the constant threat of fore-closure. They constantly see poverty in front of their eyes. 

The Prophet  said: "Allah says: 'Son of Adam: Fill your time with My worship and I will fill your heart with richness, and end off your poverty. But if you do not, I would make your hands fully busy (i.e. in worldly affairs) and I would not end off your poverty.'" (At-Tirmithi) 

Our purpose of existence on earth is more meaningful than being slaves to worldly gains. There can be no meaningful life better than that prescribed by our Creator Allah. Every act done according to Allah's way is an act of worship. Man is the beneficiary and Allah is in no need; Allah Says (what means): "O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of All Praise."[Quran 35:15] -islamweb.net

Gems from the Treasury of the Quran

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad  said: "The best amongst you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” [Al-Bukhari]

What is the Quran?

The Quran is the Book of Allah, which He chose to be the Final of the Heavenly Books. He, the Merciful and Most High, revealed it to Prophet Muhammad  as the source for the Last Religion and a guidance for mankind. Its revelation was a turning point for humanity; it was the power that changed the world, shifted the flow of history, saved and reformed humanity, so much so that the entire existence appeared as if it had been recreated anew.

The Quran is the strongest evidence in support of Prophet Muhammad  and his greatest sign. It is the proof of his prophethood and trustworthiness. Allah, the Most Exalted, Says in the Quran (what means): “They (unbelievers) want to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths. But Allah will perfect His light, even though the unbelievers may detest it. It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth, so that he may exalt it over all religions, much as the pagans may dislike it.” [Quran 61:8-9]

The Quran is the guidance that mankind needs to achieve freedom, happiness and success, in this life and the next.

The Quran is a complete and comprehensive Book.  It deals with the issues man needs, not only for salvation in the Hereafter, but also to achieve peace, justice and prosperity in this world.  These issues are discussed in the Quran in three main categories: Theology, Fables and Wisdom, Islamic Law (or Sharee’ah).  Thus, it provides the basic principles, vision and knowledge necessary for planning and leading a good life. All this is packaged in a very comprehensive approach to living that combines the pursuit of worldly affairs as well as those of the Hereafter. Allah Almighty Says in the Quran (what means): “And seek by the wealth provided for you by Allah the eternal abode (the Hereafter) but do not forget and (and forsake) your share of this world.  Be kind and good (to others) just as Allah was kind and good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” [Quran 28:77]

The Quran has an inimitable style and format that has never been seen or experienced in any other book or methodology. The richness of its text and the discourse it offers are unprecedented and unmatched in their eloquence, proficiency, fluency, conformance and harmony. Not only is the Quran a linguistic masterpiece and magnum opus par excellence, it is indeed a miracle in the fullest sense of the word. Those reciting it never become weary of it and those who ponder upon its meanings do not doubt it; rather, they always discover fresh insights and knowledge. It guides those seeking guidance and increases those who believe in it in faith. Its first parts resemble its latter parts and it can only be likened to itself in its unparalleled beauty.

The Quran is free from contradictions and those who understand the Arabic language and contemplate upon its chapters and verses will find harmony between its various parts.  Allah, the Most High, Says (what means): “Why do not they contemplate the Quran?  And if it were from other than Allah, they would have found in it numerous discrepancies.” [Quran 4:82] Indeed, every time the disbelievers tried to raise issues of contradictions in the Quran, Muslim scholars proved beyond doubt that no part of the Quran belies or contradicts another. The reason is that what may appear as a 'contradiction' in the Quran is actually what the Quran calls Muhkam (clear) and Mutashabih (unclear) verse. This is actually a part of the Quran’s textual strength and miraculous composition. 

The Quran restores soul calmness

The Islamic Medical Sciences Organization declared the striking results of a study conducted by Dr. Ahmad Al-Qadhi over a group of volunteers from USA who were subject to a recitation of the Holy Quran. A trace of a tranquilizing effect was recorded at a whole rate of 97%. Although many of these volunteers do not know Arabic, yet involuntary physiological changes that led notably to alleviate the acuity of tension they had before were observed in their nervous systems.

Furthermore, an experiment of EEG during Quran rehearsal revealed that while listening to Quran, the encephalic waves moved from the fast pattern of vigilance (12-13) wave/ second to the slow pattern (8-18) wave/ second; indicating the state of deep calmness. Non-Arabic speaking persons felt reassured, quiet, and complacent during the process of listening to Quranic verses, in spite of their inability to understand the meanings. This is one of the miracles of the Holy Quran.

The Prophet  revealed that miracle when saying;

“No people assembled in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), and recite and study the Book of Allah (among themselves), except that tranquility would prevail over them, mercy would encompass them, the angels would surround them, and Allah would make a mention of them in the presence of those near Him (angels).”[Muslim] - islamweb.net

IS GOD MERCIFUL? ISLAM’S RESPONSE TO EVIL & SUFFERING (PART 5 OF 5)

Detachment from the world

According to the Islamic tradition, God has created us so that we may worship and draw near to Him.  A fundamental principle concerning this is that we must detach ourselves from the ephemeral nature of the world.  Known as dunya, meaning low or lowly, the ephemeral world is the place of limitations, suffering, loss, desires, ego, excessiveness and evil.  Suffering shows us how truly low the dunya is, thereby facilitating our detachment from it.  Thus we are able to draw closer to God.

The Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, was reported to have said, "Love of the dunya is the root of all evil."[1]  The greatest evil according to Islam is denying and associating partners with God; therefore detachment from the dunya is necessary to reach the ultimate spiritual goal of nearness to God, and subsequently paradise.

The Quran makes it very clear that the dunya is ephemeral and a deceiving enjoyment: "Know that the life of this dunya is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children—like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris." (Qur’an 57:20)  

The concept of the dunya should not be confused with the positive aspects of creation, known in Arabic as ‘alam and khlaq.  These concepts relate to the beauty and wonder of what God has created.  They are intended to encourage people to reflect and understand which serve as a means to conclude that there is a Divine power, mercy and wisdom behind them.

Suffering of innocent people is temporary

Even if there is a lot of greater good to be actualised, one may observe that some people still suffer without experiencing any relief.  This is why in Islam, God not only provides justifications for evil and suffering in this world but also recompenses them.  At the end, all believers who suffered and were innocent will be granted eternal bliss, and all the suffering they had—even if they suffered all of their life—will be forgotten forever.  The Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"… the person who had suffered the most affliction in the world of those destined for Paradise will be brought forth and merely dipped into Paradise for a moment.  Then he will be asked ‘O son of Adam, have you ever seen suffering? Have you ever experienced hardship in your life?’ He will reply ‘No my Lord, by God.  I have never undergone suffering.  I have never seen hardship.’"[2]

Spiritual perspectives

Under atheism, evil has no purpose.  It is one of the blind forces in the world that indiscriminately chooses its prey.  Those who are victims of suffering and evil have no emotional and rational perspectives to help alleviate their suffering or put their experiences into context.  Someone could have suffered all their lives and just ended up in the grave.  All of their suffering, sacrifice and pain would have absolutely no meaning whatsoever.  Evil is viewed to occur due to prior physical processes, and those who experience evil have no recourse.  They cannot attribute any type of will to it, whether human or Divine, because everything is just reduced to blind, random and non-rational physical occurrences.  Thus, the logical implications of atheism are quite depressing.

The Islamic tradition has a fountain of concepts, principles and ideas that facilitate the believer’s journey in life.  The Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, empowered the believers with hope and patience.  All of the suffering that we face is a means of spiritual purification, thereby facilitating paradise in which we will forget every suffering that we ever experienced:

"No calamity befalls a Muslim but that God expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn."[3]

"Amazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affair is good, and this is for no one except the believer.  If something of good/happiness befalls him he is grateful and that is good for him.  If something of harm befalls him he is patient and that is good for him."[4]

Even natural disasters and fatal illnesses are seen through the eyes of hope, mercy and forgiveness.  The Islamic perspective on illness is that it is a form of purification, which facilitates eternal bliss in paradise for the sick.  The Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, encouraged visiting the sick: "Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and free the captives."[5]  Those who take care of the sick are rewarded with mercy and forgiveness, and ultimately paradise.  There are many Prophetic traditions that elaborate on these points.  For example, the Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said that if a believer dies of the plague or a stomach illness, they are considered as a martyr, and all martyrs[6] go to paradise.[7]  There are inspiring traditions of mercy, reward and blessings for those who visit and care for the sick; the Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said that whoever visits a sick person "is plunging into mercy until he sits down, and when he sits down he is submerged in it."[8]  A moving and powerful narration from the Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, teaches us that those who visit the sick will find God with them:

"Verily, God, the Exalted and Glorious, will say on the Day of Judgement: ‘O Son of Adam! I fell ill, but you did not visit Me.’ The human will ask, ‘O my Sustainer! How could I visit You when You are the Sustainer of the Worlds? And how can You fall sick?’ He, the Almighty, will say, ‘Did you not know that such and such a servant of Mine was sick.  But you did not visit him.  Did you not know that, had you visited him, you would have found Me by his side?’"[9]

Even in the case of natural disasters like tsunamis, the believing victims would be considered people of paradise because death by drowning is considered martyrdom in the Islamic tradition.  The Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said in this regard, "Anyone who drowns is a martyr."[10]  Islamic scholars conclude that if a believer died as a result of being crushed by a building during an earthquake (some even extend this to a plane or a car crash), then they are considered people of paradise.  The Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said that one of the martyrs includes "the one who died in a collapsed (building)".[11]

But God could create a world without suffering

Notwithstanding the discussion so far, a key objection that usually follows is "but God could create a world without suffering".  This contention is just a repackaging of the original argument; in other words, why has God allowed evil and suffering to exist? Therefore, the same answer applies; Divine wisdom.  The one who makes this objection does so because they cannot understand why there is evil and suffering in the first place, and they believe that a merciful and powerful God should prevent every evil and suffering.  Nevertheless, this has already been addressed in this essay.

The ‘problem’ of evil and suffering is not a problem for the believer, as evil and suffering are understood as functions of God’s profound wisdom, perfection and goodness.  The spiritual teachings of Islam create a sense of hope, patience and tranquillity.  The logical implications of atheism is that one is plunged into a hopeless state and does not have any answers to why evil and suffering exist.  This ignorance is mostly due to an egocentrism that makes them fail in their ability to see things from another perspective, just as I was when I thought my parents were malicious when they prevented me from drinking my grandfather’s whisky.

        Last updated 4 May 2017.  Taken and adapted from my book "The Divine Reality: God, Islam & The Mirage of Atheism".  - islamreligion.com

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FOOTNOTES:

[1]Al-Bayhaqi’s Shuʿab al-Iman, traced back to Al-Hasan Al-Basri, who ascribes it to the Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him.  The scholars have graded this Prophetic tradition as hasan; its level of authenticity is good.

[2]Narrated by Muslim.

[3]Narrated by Saheeh Al-Bukhari.

[4]Narrated by Muslim.

[5]Narrated by Saheeh Al-Bukhari.

[6]Anyone that attempts suicide bombing or engages in terrorism and dies as a result is not considered a martyr.  These evil acts are forbidden in Islam.

[7]Narrated by Muslim.

[8]Narrated by Ahmad.

[9]Narrated by Muslim.

[10]Ibid.

[11]Ibid.

PARTS OF THIS ARTICLE

• PART 1 - Is God Merciful? Islam’s Response to Evil & Suffering (Part 1 of 5)
• PART 2 - Is God Merciful? Islam’s Response to Evil & Suffering (Part 2 of 5)
• PART 3 - Is God Merciful? Islam’s Response to Evil & Suffering (Part 3 of 5)
• PART 4 - Is God Merciful? Islam’s Response to Evil & Suffering (Part 4 of 5)

IS GOD MERCIFUL? ISLAM’S RESPONSE TO EVIL & SUFFERING (PART 4 OF 5)

Does God give us reasons for why He has allowed evil and suffering to exist?

A sufficient response to the second assumption is to provide a strong argument that God has communicated some reasons to us about why He has allowed evil and suffering in the world.  The intellectual richness of Islamic thought provides us with many reasons.

Our purpose is worship

The primary purpose of the human being is not to enjoy a transitory sense of happiness; rather, it is to achieve a deep internal peace through knowing and worshipping God.  This fulfilment of the Divine purpose will result in everlasting bliss and true happiness.  So, if this is our primary purpose, other aspects of human experience are secondary.  The Quran states, "I did not create either jinn [spirit world] or man except to worship Me."(Quran 51:56)

Consider someone who has never experienced any suffering or pain, but experiences pleasure all the time.  This person, by virtue of his state of ease, has forgotten God and therefore failed to do what he was created to do.  Compare this person with someone whose experiences of hardship and pain have led him to God, and fulfilled his purpose in life.  From the perspective of the Islamic spiritual tradition, the one whose suffering has led him to God is better than the one who has never suffered and whose pleasures have led him away from God.

Life is a test

God also created us for a test, and part of this test is to experience trials with suffering and evil.  Passing the test facilitates our permanent abode of eternal bliss in paradise.  The Quran explains that God created death and life, "so that He may put you to test, to find out which of you is best in deeds: He is the The-Almighty, The-Forgiving." (Quran 67:2)

On a basic level, the atheist misunderstands the purpose of our existence on Earth.  The world is supposed to be an arena of trials and tribulations in order to test our conduct and for us to cultivate virtue.  For example, how can we cultivate patience if we do not experience things that test our patience? How can we become courageous if there are no dangers to be confronted? How can we be compassionate if no one is in need of it? Life being a test answers these questions.  We need them to ensure our moral and spiritual growth.  We are not here to party; that is the purpose of paradise.

So why is life a test? Since God is perfectly good, He wants every single one of us to believe and as a result to experience eternal bliss with Him in paradise.  God makes it clear that He prefers belief for us all: "And He does not approve for His servants disbelief." (Quran 39:7)

This clearly shows that God does not want anyone to go to hell.  However, if He were to enforce that and send everyone to paradise, then a gross violation of justice would take place; God would be treating Moses and the Pharaoh and Hitler and Jesus as the same.  A mechanism is needed to ensure that people who enter paradise do so based on merit.  This explains why life is a test.   Life is just a mechanism to see who among us are truly deserving of eternal happiness.  As such, life is filled with obstacles, which act as tests of our conduct.

In this regard, Islam is extremely empowering because it sees suffering, evil, harm, pain and problems as a test.  We can have fun, but we have been created with a purpose and that purpose is to worship God.  The empowering Islamic view is that tests are seen as sign of God’s love.  The Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, "When God loves a servant, He tests him."[1]

The reason God tests those whom He loves is because it is an avenue to achieve the eternal bliss of paradise—and entering paradise is a result of Divine love and mercy.  God points this out clearly in the Quran: "Do you suppose that you will enter the Garden without first having suffered like those before you? They were afflicted by misfortune and hardship, and they were so shaken that even [their] messenger and the believers with him cried, ‘When will God’s help arrive?’ Truly, God’s help is near." (Quran 2:214)

The beauty of the Islamic tradition is that God, who knows us better than we know ourselves, has already empowered us and tells us that we have what it takes to overcome these trials.  "God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear." (Quran 2:286)

However, if we cannot overcome these trials after having tried our best, God’s mercy and justice will ensure that we are recompensed in some way, either in this life or the eternal life that awaits us.

Knowing God

Having hardship and suffering enables us to realise and know God’s attributes, such as The-Protector and The-Healer.  For example, without the pain of illness we would not appreciate the attribute of God being The-Healer, or the one who gives us health.  Knowing God in the Islamic spiritual tradition is a greater good, and worth the experience of suffering or pain, as it will ensure the fulfilment of our primary purpose, which ultimately leads to paradise.

Greater good

Suffering and evil allow a greater good, also known as second-order good.  First-order good is physical pleasure and happiness, and first-order evil is physical pain and sadness.  Some examples of second-order goodness include courage, humility and patience.  However, in order to have a second-order good (like courage) there must be a first-order evil (like cowardice).  According to the Quran, elevated good such as courage and humility do not have the same value as evil: "Say Prophet, bad cannot be likened to good, though you may be dazzled by how abundant the bad is.  Be mindful of God, people of understanding, so that you may prosper." (Quran 5:100)

Free will

God has given us free will, and free will includes choosing evil acts.  This explains personal evil, which is evil or suffering committed by a human being.   One can ask: why has God given us free will at all? In order for the tests in life to be meaningful, there must be free will.  An exam is pointless if the student is obligated or forced to answer correctly on each question.   Similarly, in the exam of life, human beings must be given adequate freedom to do as they please.

Good and evil lose their meaning if God were to always ensure we chose good.  Take the following example into consideration: someone points a loaded gun to your head and asks you to give charity.  You give the money, but does it have any moral value? It does not, for it only has value if a free agent chooses to do so. - islamreligion.com

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FOOTNOTES:

[1]Tirmidhi

PARTS OF THIS ARTICLE


READ PART 1 - Is God Merciful? Islam’s Response to Evil & Suffering (Part 1 of 5)
READ PART 2 - Is God Merciful? Islam’s Response to Evil & Suffering (Part 2 of 5)READ PART 3 - Is God Merciful? Islam’s Response to Evil & Suffering (Part 3 of 5)

WHAT IS EID UL ADHA?

The twelfth month of the Islamic calendar is called Dhul Hijjah.  It is the month that contains one of the greatest pillars of Islam – Hajj or the major pilgrimage.  It also contains one of only two Islamic reoccurring festivals, Eid ul Adha.  These two special occasions, the Hajj and Eid ul Adha, are inextricably linked by one special man, Prophet Ibrahim, known in Jewish and Christian traditions as Prophet Abraham.

Making the pilgrimage is often called following in the footsteps of Ibrahim.  This is due to the fact that the rituals involved in the pilgrimage replicate many of the events in Prophet Ibrahim’s life.  Eid ul Adha commemorates a specific trial in the life of Ibrahim.  He was commanded by God to sacrifice, his son Ishmael.  Eid ul Adha occurs on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the day on which most of the Hajj rites have been preformed and the pilgrims slaughter an animal to honour Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God.

“Surely Ibrahim was an example, obedient to God, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists.  He was grateful for Our bounties.  We chose him and guided him unto a right path.  We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous.” (Quran 16:120-121)

In a divinely inspired dream, Ibrahim saw himself sacrificing his son Ishmael.  All members of Ibrahim’s family demonstrated complete trust in God, therefore Ibrahim revealed the dream to Ishmael.  He readily agreed that his father must carry out the command of God.  Together they went to the place of sacrifice and offered Ishmael’s life to God.  Ibrahim prepared to sacrifice his beloved son.  At this point the shaytaan (satan) tempted Ibrahim trying to make him disobey God, but Ibrahim resisted and drove the shaytaan away.  Ibrahim looked down at his son for what he believed was the last time but as the blade came close to Ishmael’s neck God stayed his hand and revealed that there was no need for Ibrahim to continue.  His sacrifice had already been fulfilled.

Giving up something big for the sake of God, such as the life of your child, must seem like a huge and unimaginable sacrifice.  Today even going without something small, such as a cup of coffee, to donate the money to charity seems like a large sacrifice.  Try to imagine  how Ibrahim must have felt as he held the blade above his child’s neck.  In the last moment he was relieved of his duty to follow God’s commands.  Having complete trust in God, knowing with certainty that God knows and wants what is best for us is often difficult, but it should not be.

“…And whosoever fears God and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).  And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine….” (Quran 65:2-3)

God replaced Ishmael with a sheep and it is for this reason that Muslims sacrifice an animal on the celebration of Eid ul Adha; however it is more than a celebration, it is a reminder.  We are reminded of our own submission to the will of God.  Those Muslim’s who are not making the pilgrimage and who can afford it sacrifice an animal in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s test.

“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you….” (Quran 22:37)

The act of animal sacrifice is often misunderstood.  God has no need for the blood or the meat; in fact God has no need for any of our acts of worship.  However for our own benefit God commands us to turn to Him and obey Him.  God looks for our piety, our goodness and our charity.  The animal sacrificed is usually a sheep, a goat or a cow. 

Distributing the meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha strengthens many of our efforts to please God with our piety.  Usually, a portion is eaten by the immediate family and relatives, a portion is given away to friends and neighbours and a portion is donated to the poor.  The act symbolizes our willingness to give up our bounties to strengthen ties of kinship and friendship and our enthusiasm to give up things that are of benefit to us in order to help those who are in need.  In the sacrifice we recognize that all blessings come from God.

Eid ul Adha commences on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah.  For those who are not at the pilgrimage, it begins with an extra early morning prayer performed in congregation, called the Eid prayer. It is a time of celebration, a time to visit family and friends and thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.  It demands contact with relatives, kindness to family and neighbours, and empathy and compassion for the poor. Above all Eid ul Adha reminds us that God is great and that He is the source of all bounties.  Through the good times and the trying times God is the source of all comfort and all peace, and submission to Him brings the greatest benefits of all. -islamreligion.com