Every Dhul-Hijjah, as Eid al-Adha draws near, millions of Muslims across the world prepare to offer a sacrifice. Animals are purchased, names are assigned, and people gather to witness the act. For many, it’s a familiar tradition almost routine.
But here’s the deeper truth: the Sunnah of sacrifice isn’t just about slaughtering an animal. It’s about rekindling a spirit of obedience, submission, and sincerity the spirit of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Isma’il (AS). It’s a reminder that faith sometimes demands real sacrifice not only of wealth or meat but of the heart’s attachments.
We often hear the story: Prophet Ibrahim (AS) dreamt that he was sacrificing his beloved son, Isma’il. This was no ordinary dream, it was a divine command. Imagine the emotional weight: a father, finally blessed with a child after years of longing, now commanded to let go.
But instead of resisting, both father and son surrendered.
يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ
قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ
“O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So what do you think?” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the patient.” Surah As-Saffat 37:102
What followed was a moment so powerful, Allah immortalized it in our rituals:
وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” Surah As-Saffat 37:107
This act became the foundation for Udhiyah (the Qurbani)a Sunnah that Muslims continue today as a symbolic reflection of obedience and devotion.
In conclusion, it’s easy to think of the Qurbani as just a ritual, you buy a goat, pay the butcher, distribute the meat. But Allah reminds us:
لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ
“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is the piety (taqwa) from you that reaches Him…” Surah Al-Hajj 22:37
So the real question is: What are we offering from our hearts?
Because the meat reaches people but the sincerity reaches Allah.