The “Real” Sacrifice

by Asma bint Shameem The ‘REAL’ sacrifice was the conversation between the father and his son.

The ram was just an expiation.

Sadly, we have forgotten about the conversation and only the ram remains….

Eid al-Adhaa is a reminder of that ultimate conversation between Ibraaheem Alaiyhis-Salaam and his son Ismaa’eel Alaiyhis-Salaam and their wholehearted submission to Allaah’s Orders.

The conversation that deserves to be written in gold.

The conversation that is preserved forever in the Qur’aan, for all time to come.

The conversation that showed the sincerest, most unconditional submission to the order of Allaah.

Ibraheem Alaiyhis-Salaam said to his son Ismaa’eel Alaiyhis-Salaam:

‎يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ

“O my son! I’ve seen a dream in which I saw myself offering you as a sacrifice; so look what you think!”

Wait.

Stop here and read the aayah again.

What did Ibraaheem Alayhis Salaam just ask his precious, only child?

“That I have seen myself offering you as a sacrifice”!!

Yaa Allaah! What could be a bigger test for a parent!

And what did the pious, obedient son of the Prophet of Allaah say?

‎يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ

"O my father! Do that which you are commanded.

Insha' Allaah, you shall find me of As-Saabireen.”

(Surah as-Saffaat:102)

Subhaan Allaah!

Right then and there.

He Submitted.

To the Order of Allaah.

Absolute. Wholehearted. Surrender.

No questions asked.

What utter submission!

What complete obedience to what Allaah commanded!

And what ultimate training of a son by his father!

What true unwavering Imaan!

‎قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ

Subhaan Allaah!

Dear brothers and sisters!

In the midst of all the festivities....the takbeeraat, the Udhiyah, the eid prayer….

let us not forget the real reason behind the celebration of Eid al-Adhaa;

the real sacrifice of a father and son, their unsurpassable submission to Allaah and the eternal lessons they left behind....

Islaam means surrender and submission to the Will of the Master and Owner of the heavens and the earth.

Completely.

Unconditionally.

Without disputing;

because the one who disputes has not submitted.

A Muslim does whatever pleases Allaah.

It is the Pleasure of Allaah that is considered as worship....

‎فَإِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُوا وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ

“And your God is One God (Allaah)

so SUBMIT to Him Alone.

And give glad tidings to the Mukhbiteen (those who obey Allaah with humility)”

(Surah al-Hajj:32)

Submit your will to Allaah.

Comply with His Orders.

And success is sure to follow….

Eid Mubarak everyone.

And Allaah knows best.