IN the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Almighty Allah reminds us in Holy Qur’an Ibrahim, 14:35-36, “Remember Abraham said: ‘O my Lord! Make this city One of peace and security: And preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols. O my Lord! They have indeed Led astray many among mankind; He then who follows my (ways) Is of me, and he that Disobeys me, —but Thou Art indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful’”.
The celebration of Eid-el-Kabir festival has come and gone, but the memory lingers on. The commemoration of the ransomness of the life of Prophet Ismail with a ram has come and gone, but the memory of the bliss lingers on. The jollification of the victory of father of faith (Ibrahim) on the Great Test of his faith has come and gone but the memory of the merriment lingers on. The joy of the great annual feast of the faithful has come and gone, but the memory of the spiritual melody lingers on. The display of invaluable gratitude to the Almighty on the great success of the test of trust in Allah has come and gone but the memory lingers on in the physical and mental metabolism of the Faithfuls. The exhibition of thanks to the Creator of the heavens and earth (Al-Khaliq) on divine guidance over the great trial of fear of the faithful in the Almighty has come and gone, but the memory lingers. The displaying of humility in total submission to the will of Allah by Muslims as done by Prophet Abraham, his son Ismaeel; and wife Hagar with the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir has come and gone, but the memory continues to linger. The gentle show of gratitude to Allah on His kindness and favour on the trial of piety has come and gone, but the memory lingers on.
Indeed, the memory that lingers on is embedded in the lessons of the celebration, which goes beyond the killing of goats, sheep, rams, cows, camels and others. It is the lessons that will continue to guide us aright in the display of the virtues of faith, trust in Allah, piety and fear of the Almighty.
Besides, Eid-el-Kabir teaches us to be patient and prayerful and never to lose hope. Prophet Abraham did not only pray for a righteous son, he was persistent in the prayer and had absolute trust and faith in Allah even at over 80 years of age (Q.37:100). And in the fertile land of Syria and Palestine, the good news came to him that a boy would come forth that would be obedient patient and ready to suffer and forbear. The boy came vide the second wife, Haggar and happened to be the firstborn son of Abraham named Ismaeel. According to the Muslim tradition, the name is from the root ‘sami’a’, to hear, because Allah had heard the prayer of Abraham. The prayer was actually granted when Abraham was 86 (Gospel, Genesis 16:16). The Holy Qur’an 37:100-111, says, “’O my Lord! Grant me A righteous (son)!’ So, We gave him The good news Of a boy ready To suffer and forbear. Then, when (the son) Reached (the age of) (Serious) work with him, He said: ‘O my son! I see in vision That I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is Thy view!’ (The son) said: ‘O my father! Do As thou art commanded: Thou will find me, If God so wills one Practising Patience and Constancy!’ So, when they had both Submitted their wills (to God), And he had laid him Prostrate on his forehead (For sacrifice), We called out to him, ‘O Abraham! Thou hast already fulfilled The vision!’ —thus indeed Do We reward Those who do right. For this was obviously A trial— And We ransomed him With a momentous sacrifice: And We left (this blessing) For him among generations (To come) in later times: Peace and salutation To Abraham! Thus, indeed do We reward Those who do right. For he was one Of Our believing Servants.’”
The Holy Qur’an Ibrahim, 37:102-109 confirms the acceptance of Ismail: “Then, when (the son) Reached (the age of) (Serious) work with him, He said: ‘O my son! I see in vision That I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is Thy view!’ (The son) said: ‘O my father! Do As thou art commanded: Thou will find me, If God so wills one Practising Patience and Constancy!’ So, when they had both Submitted their wills (to God), And he had laid him Prostrate on his forehead (For sacrifice), We called out to him, ‘O Abraham! “Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!’ —thus indeed Do We reward Those who do right. For this was obviously A trial— And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: And We left (this blessing) For him among generations (To come) in later times: Peace and salutation To Abraham!”
The whole episode is symbolic; Allah does not require the flesh and blood of animals, much less of human beings, but to test the faith of the faithful (Q. 22:37). Allah only requires the giving of our whole being to Him, the symbol of which is that we should give up something very dear to us, if duty requires that sacrifice, a trial of trust in God and piety.
Much as Eid-el-Kabir has taught us to be true to God and fellow human beings, it has put into focus the correct history of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac.
Apart from giving us the correct version of history about Abraham and his family, Eid-l-Kabir serves as a key rite of hajj where more than five million Muslims from across the world commemorate the ‘ld of Sacrifice where it actually took place centuries ago. The Holy Qur’an 2:197 says, “For Hajj are the months well known. If anyone undertakes that duty therein let there be no obscenity nor wickedness nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do (be sure) God knoweth it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey but the best of provisions is right conduct. So, fear Me o ye that are wise!” It comes up on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah when other Muslims worldwide celebrate.
Eid-el-Kabir symbolises Islam as the only universal religion for mankind where all faithful carry out the same duty to Allah with the same purpose in the same manner in total submission to the will of God (Qur’an 5:3, 3:85; 3:19). The universality of Islam actually transcends tribal, class, gentile, cast, ethnic and other sentiments. The Holy Qur’an 3:85 affirms, “If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).”
Moreover, Eid-el-Kabir has taught us that there is everlasting joy for us if only we could have total commitment to Allah. Today, Abraham stands out as the father of faith and whose prayers were granted. He was not only given Ishmael, and Isaac, but he had descendents in Jacob and Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW). Almighty Allah actually greeted him with salutation of peace as a righteous, faithful and believing servant (Q. 37:109-110; 2:117; 9:114; 11:75).
May Allah grant us true faith in Him and make us learn from the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir (Ameen).
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