Abid Hussain Rather
The Islamic calendar starts with the month of Muharram and ends with the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. When we look at these two months, both are marked with acts of sacrifice. On the 10th of Muharram the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Imam Hussain (RA) and his 72 companions sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam. During Dhu al-Hajj, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) agreed to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail (AS). The story is narrated in the Quran as: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. Quran (108:2)Allah accepted Ibrahims sacrifice and put a ram in place of Ismail. We can therefore say that the sole purpose of our life is complete submission before Allah. We should always sacrifice our will before the will of the Almighty, without any doubts or disputes. The Arabic term Islam itself means surrender. A true believer is always ready to surrender his will before Allah and the event of Eid-ul-Azha reminds us of this fundamental duty.When we trace the history of sacrifice in Islam we find that it were the two sons of Prophet Adam (AS), Habil and Qabil, who were first asked by Adam (AS) to make a sacrifice to resolve a different between them. Habil sacrificed his best, well-fed and healthy animal, as he was a shepherd, while as Qabil, who was a land tiller, unwillingly sacrificed some produce grown from his land. Allah accepted Habils sacrifice as he was pious and righteous while Qabils sacrifice was rejected as he was without righteousness and had not made his sacrifice with sincerity. Habil explained to his brother that Allah accepts sacrifice of only those people who have Taqwa. This story illustrates that sincerity and purity of intention are the most important part of the sacrifice. Almighty Allah is not a human being and He doesnt need flesh, blood or meat of the animal. Rather, the essence of sacrifice lies in Taqwa righteousness and piety which has to be attained through the spirit of devotion and sacrifice. It is clearly mentioned in Quran:Their meat will not reach to Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you Quran (22:37).Sacrifice in Islam is a spiritual activity and a beautiful chance to draw us closer to Almighty Allah. Love lies at the roots of sacrifice and love for Allah and His Prophet (PBUH) is vital for a believer. It is the piety of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) which needs to be celebrated rather than the sacrifice of animals.Though the concept of sacrifice in Islam has been criticised by many non-believers, particularly in the Christian world during the age of enlightenment, for example by Immanuel Kant, who argued that Ibrahim (AS) should have been certain about his own moral sense and suspicious about an ostensibly divine voice commanding him to do something as cruel as sacrificing his son. Though Kant was not necessarily advocating defiance of God, he was empowering human reason. The argument of Kant clashes with the basic tenets of Islam where a believer is asked for complete submission. Whenever the will of a believer clashes with the will of the Almighty or with the basic principles of Islam, he has to sacrifice his own will and follow the greater principles. A believer should always believe that Allah has bestowed him with limited knowledge while only Allah has infinite knowledge. So, even the apparently wrong judgements of Allah are never wrong in the true sense. Sacrifice in Islam teaches us to slaughter our innate hatred, jealousy, pride, greed, animosity, and doubts before the will of Almighty Allah.
The writer teaches Geography at GDC, Kulgam. rather1294@gmail.com
Facebook Twitter WhatsAppEmailPrint
Related
Read more:
The Sacrifice of All Doubts - Kashmir Reader
- The Lives of Others [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Aliens and Spiritual Enlightenment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Dreams [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Open Your Eyes [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Spiritual Enlightenment and Grizzly Bears [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- I’m Alive! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Seeing the World [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- First Taste of Spiritual Enlightenment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Pause [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Welcome [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Resurrection Needed for the Catholic Church, not Jesus. Christianity, Islam ... - American Chronicle [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2010]
- The Secret of Kells - Harvard Crimson [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Taylor: The true Easter within - Lake County News [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- CHOICES! Your Go To Source for Enlightenment! / Spiritual Movie Morning - WCNC (subscription) [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Sex Swami duped firangs in the US - NDTV.com [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Girls' school defies Taliban terror - Times Online [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Shen Yun Performers Present Spiritual Connotation with Life - The Epoch Times [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Yoga Draws Criticism - TopNews United States [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Banjamin Bratt: 'I Wanted to Be Anything But an Actor' - Palm Beach Post [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- The History of Buddhism - MPBN News [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Secrets of the Catholic Church - The National Law Journal [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- U-Theatre of Taiwan dance troupe's West Coast debut spotlights its virtuosity - OregonLive.com [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Religion Calendar - Montreal Gazette [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Siquijor conducts recollection for parolees - Philippine Information Agency [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Prayer for guidance - Inquirer.net [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- East Bay Buddhist temple strives to maintain relevance in new land - San Jose Mercury News [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Spiritual Journey: Stay-home mom Melody Melvin - The Huntsville Times - al.com (blog) [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- What Does The Buddha Have To Do With Jesus? - Huffington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Laura Dern and William H. Macy Heading to Cable - Inside TV (blog) [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- American Guru Steven S. Sadleir brings Shaktipat to Spain and Italy - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2010]
- Who and What Is Buddha, Really? - Huffington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- The ACLU works to sap our spiritual strength - The Free Lance-Star [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled by Best-Selling ... - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- All About Kundalini Yoga - EmpowHer (blog) [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Catholic leadership's image tarnished by recurring scandal - Staunton News Leader [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Iowa Swami Who Beguiled the Jazz Age - New York Times [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- More than a spiritual exercise - Nagaland Post [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- Despite media smears, world and faithful have warmed to Benedict - Irish Times [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- The Fool's Story in the Major Arcana - I-Newswire.com (press release) [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Pakistan's pre-Islamic art goes on show in Paris - DAWN.com [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- New author shares emotional enlightenment - The Trinidad Guardian [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- The theft of yoga - Washington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Enter the Realm of the Buddha - Georgetown University The Hoya [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Indian guru arrested over sex scandal: Police - Montreal Gazette [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Life Out Here: Tea Party with a twist - Imperial Valley Press (subscription) [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- April 25: A Turning Point for Today's China - The Epoch Times [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Nityananda bound devotees with non-disclosure agreements - Sify [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Buddhist Extremists in Bangladesh Beat, Take Christians Captive - Pakistan Christian TV [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Liberty and the Death of God - American Thinker [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- A Commentary on Religious Intolerance & the Dalai Lama - Subversify (blog) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- The Fool's Story in the Major Arcana - BigNews.biz (press release) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Review: Seeking Life's Meaning - New York Times (blog) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- An Analysis Of I Corinthians 15 - Blogger News Network (blog) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Luxury in spiritual Ladakh, India - Times Online [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- JD Salinger: A 'Selfish Old Goat,' But Not a Perv - Politics Daily (blog) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Sorry, your patent on yoga has run out - Washington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2010]
- Leggo my ego - Winnipeg Free Press [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2010]
- Church Set to Regain Museum Treasures - The Moscow Times [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The multiple sides of Ricky Williams - San Diego Union Tribune [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The Dalai Lama, Buddhism, and Tibet: Reflecting on a Half-Century of Change - Student Pulse [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The Kumbh Mela: what can it teach us about mental health, consciousness and ... - Psychology Today (blog) [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS (DVD) - Film Threat [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- A Leg Up on “THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE” - FANGORIA (blog) [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The hottest docs at Hot Docs - Globe and Mail [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- Florida Dems shut down state House - Politico [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- Reading Energy Fields with Tanis Day - The Barrie Examiner [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Book flights to India for a luxury mountain retreat - Southall Travel [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- In death, mass murderer sees freedom - Citizens Voice [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Author Becky Walsh on enlightenment through sex - Dscriber [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Is Western Christianity Suffering From Spiritual Amnesia? - Huffington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- The Road That Leads to Nowhere - The Road That Leads to You - New York News Today [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- In Their Words: Her path to inner peace - Times Herald-Record [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- Rielle, Oprah, and Zen America's Truth-Off - Politics Daily (blog) [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- CathBlog - Newman's reasoned faith outshines postmodernism's dark stars - CathNews [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- Light of the Sufis exhibit explores Islam's mystical side - Houston Chronicle [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- The last word: In search of enlightenment, mindfulness and nirvana in Silicon ... - Financial Times [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- 'Light in the Wilderness,' by M. Catherine Thomas - Mormon Times [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Woodrow Wilson and the Progressive-Fascist Distinction - U.S. News & World Report (blog) [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Are You Praying to the Only True God? - WEBCommentary [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Haunting 'Lourdes' Revels in the Poetry of Ambiguity - HollywoodChicago.com [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]