This year, like many before it, I found myself reflecting more deeply on Eid-ul-Adha’s essence. I used to visualise it simply as the festival of sacrifice, commemorating Prophet Abraham’s (as) dedication to obey Allah’s command regarding his son Prophet Ishmael (as). The example of sacrifice, obedience and submission is unforgettable. Yet if we only admire it from a distance, we risk remaining at the surface of its true meaning.
Then yesterday, I came across a simple statement that made me pause and think: “Each of us is Ibrahim and each of us has an Isma‘il.”
Reflecting on that statement through the Holy Quran, Hadith and the sayings of the Promised Messiah (as) and Khulafa, I came to realise that everyone’s “Isma‘il” is different – anything that subtly occupies a place in the heart meant for Allah alone.
The Holy Quran describes how Prophet Abraham (as) saw in a dream that he was sacrificing his son. When he shared this divine vision with Prophet Ishmael (as), the son responded with absolute faith in Allah the Almighty:
یٰۤاَبَتِ افۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُ ۫ سَتَجِدُنِیۡۤ اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰہُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ
“O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if Allah please, of those who are patient.” (Surah as-Saffat, Ch.37: V.103)
God Almighty did not want Prophet Ishmael’s (as) physical slaughter as He is free from all needs. Rather, Prophet Abraham (as) was only to prove that his love for Allah was greater than every other attachment.
The Holy Quran also reminds us that everything we possess belongs to Allah the Almighty:
لِلّٰہِ مُلۡکُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ وَمَا فِیۡہِنَّ
“To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them.” (Surah al-Ma‘idah, Ch.5: V.121)
We often think of our children, possessions, achievements and success as our own. But in reality, they are all blessings entrusted to us by Allah the Almighty for a limited time. Nothing truly belongs to us; everything belongs to Him. During an Eid-ul-Adha sermon (31 July 2020), Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (aa), elaborated on this matter in the following words:
“We must take the faithfulness and sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (as) as our model. We must also adopt the sacrifice of Hazrat Hagar (as) as our standard. Every woman should reflect on what she must do to attain that standard.
“When members of Lajna reaffirm their pledge that they are prepared to sacrifice even their children [in the way of Allah], I have learned that some women remain silent at this point, saying that they are not ready for such a sacrifice.
“If one truly places trust in Allah, seeks His pleasure as the ultimate objective and regards the desire to attain His nearness as superior to every other desire, then such thoughts cannot arise.
“The pledge to give precedence to faith over worldly interests is, in essence, a pledge that calls for absolute trust in Allah the Almighty. Having made this pledge, every Ahmadi man, Ahmadi woman, Ahmadi youth and Ahmadi child must strive to fulfil it.”
When Prophet Abraham (as) exhibited complete obedience to attain God’s pleasure and nearness, Allah replaced his son with a ram and declared that he had fulfilled the vision. Allah the Almighty elevated Prophet Abraham’s (as) status and blessed him with His closeness.
Today, most of us will never face the exact test that was faced by Prophet Abraham (as). But every generation has its own sacrifices. To some people, their “Isma‘il” could be wealth while to others, it could be their status and recognition. For some, it could be unhealthy attachments, worldly ambitions or personal pride. For others, it may be prejudices, grudges or desires that prevent them from drawing closer to Allah the Almighty.
The question of Eid-ul-Adha remains as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago:
What would be hardest for me to surrender if Allah asked for it?
The answer to that question may reveal our “Ishmael”. Mainly physical qurbani is a symbol – a mirror – calling us to examine what we can truly place on the altar. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) beautifully explained the reality of sacrifice when he said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ
“Allah does not look at your appearance and wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2564c)
This hadith reminds us that the true value of sacrifice is not in the outward actions but in the inner condition of the heart. An animal may be sacrificed, yet the heart may remain attached to worldly things. Another individual may sacrifice comfort, time, wealth or personal desires for the sake of Allah, and yes, such a sacrifice can carry deep spiritual values. The Holy Quran expresses this principle with clarity:
لَنۡ یَّنَالَ اللّٰہَ لُحُوۡمُہَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُہَا وَلٰکِنۡ یَّنَالُہُ التَّقۡوٰی مِنۡکُمۡ
“Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him.” (Surah al-Hajj, Ch.22: V.38)
The Promised Messiah (as) emphasised that all we require is a sacrifice, the sacrifice of our nafs (inner self) and this sacrifice is otherwise known as “Islam”. Hazrat Ahmad (as) said:
“Islam is the blazing fire that burns up our life and, consuming our false deities, presents the sacrifice of our life and our property and our honour to our Holy God.” (The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, p. 129)
This was the spirit of Prophet Abraham (as) and it remains the spirit of Islam today.
Eid-ul-Adha gently asks us, what is sitting on the throne of your heart right now? What are you protecting with all your strength? What would it mean to truly surrender it?
Indeed, this is easier said than done and exactly that is the point. The trial was never easy for Prophet Abraham (as) or Prophet Ishmael (as) either. But their example still lives on because they put absolute trust in Allah the Almighty and sought His nearness through complete obedience.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa) has explained that alongside the outward sacrifices, we must also develop the spirit that makes us ever ready to sacrifice our lives, wealth, time and honour for the sake of Allah the Almighty. He advises us that a believer should continually assess whether worldly pursuits are taking precedence over faith.
Have our careers become our Isma‘il?
Have our ambitions become our Isma‘il?
Has our desire for recognition become our Isma‘il?
Have comfort and convenience become our Isma‘il?
These are questions worth asking long after Eid has ended. Perhaps one of the greatest lessons of Eid-ul-Adha is trusting Allah enough to say:
قُلۡ اِنَّ صَلَاتِیۡ وَنُسُکِیۡ وَمَحۡیَایَ وَمَمَاتِیۡ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ
“My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.” (Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V.163)
The above words are not easy to utter with complete sincerity. In fact, it may be one of the hardest things a believer can do. But perhaps that is exactly why the story of Prophet Abraham (as) continues to inspire countless hearts thousands of years later.