Qhutba Jumu’a 139^th

Dec. 14^th 2007 – Zul Hijjah 04^th 1428

Introduction:

Eid Al Ad'ha is celebrated on the tenth day of Zul Hijjah that is a day after staying in the fields of Arafat for the purpose of Hajj. According to the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Ad'ha falls in the 12^th and the last month of Zul Hijjah. Eid Al Ad'ha is a great and unique festival of sacrifice embedded with joy and celebration in commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s devotion to Almighty Alloh and our own will to sacrifice. It would probably make sense to only those who understand that the feeling of sacrificing your beloved animal for the cause of Almighty Alloh and then sharing the joy of giving its meat to others that touches others' lives is far greater and deeper than the joy keeping to self.

It is the tradition of Prophet Abraham (PBUH) and a strongly recommended Sunnah. A lamb, sheep, goat, cow, buffalo, or camel can be offered as the sacrifice. There are seven shares in a cow, buffalo and camel. The sacrifice should be accomplished by slaughtering the animal after Salat-al-Eid. The sacrifice also called Udhiyah or Qurbani last for three days starting from 10th Zul Hijjah until the sunset of 12th Zul Hijjah. The meat should be divided into three shares: one for the family the second for relatives/friends and the third share is for the needy.

The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Alloh's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.

The Qur’anic Evidence:

Eid Al Ad'ha is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Messenger Prophet Abraham's (ASW) willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael for Almighty Alloh. One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Alloh to sacrifice his only son at the time. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Almighty Alloh's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Almighty Alloh revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superseded all others that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to Alloh. 

"When he (the eldest son Ishmael) grew enough to work with him, he (the father Prophet Abraham) said: "My son, I see in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What do you think"? He said: "Oh my father, do what you are commanded to do. You will find me, God willing, patient". "They both submitted, and he put his forehead down (to sacrifice him). We called him: "Oh Abraham: You have believed the dream".  We thus reward the righteous. That was an exacting test indeed. We ransomed (Ishmael) by substituting an animal sacrifice. And we preserved his history for subsequent generations (in the form of Eid Al Ad’ha). Peace is upon Abraham. We thus reward the righteous. He is one of our believing servants" {The Qur’an – Surah As Saffat (Chapter: The Arrangers) 37:102}.

This trial for Abraham (PBUH) was of the greatest trials throughout history. The principle of this trial was to clear his heart from love for things other than Almighty Alloh (SWT) and to fill it with love for Alloh. That would have not been fulfilled unless Prophet Abraham (PBUH) had rejected Satan for the love of Almighty Alloh.

However, to accomplish the plan for Abraham (PBUH), make him give a sacrifice to Alloh (SWT), and fulfill his wish, Alloh (SWT) sent him a huge sheep to sacrifice instead of his son and to leave this tradition in the ceremony of "Hajj" in the land of "Mina" for the future generations.

It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. But following the tradition, sharing the meat, righteous actions by us and our own sense of piety are good elements for us:-

"The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by Alloh for your own good. You shall mention Alloh’s name on them while they are standing in line. Once they are offered for sacrifice, you shall eat there from and feed the poor and the needy. This is why we (your Lord) subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation. Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches Alloh. What reaches Him is your righteousness. He has subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation by glorifying Alloh for guiding you. Give good news to the charitable" {The Qur’an – Surah Al Hajj (Chapter: The Pilgrimage) 22:37}.

Ahadiths on Eid Al Ad’ha:

Narrated Al-Bara’a (RTA) that the Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Whoever slaughtered (the sacrifice) after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims" [Sahih Bukharie: Volume 7, Book 68, and Hadith Number 453].

Narrated Jundab bin Sufyan Al-Bajali (RTA) the Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before offering the Eid Al Ad’ha prayer, should slaughter another sacrifice in its place; and whoever has not slaughtered their sacrifice yet, should slaughter now" [Sahih Bukharie: Volume 7, Book 68, Hadith Number 469].

Conclusion:

v      Every adult must offer Udhiyah (Qurbani) if he/she is paying Zakat.

v      Every Muslim must conform to the tradition of Abraham (PBUH) by following the path of Muhammad (SAW).

v      The adult sacrificing an animal for the Eid Al Ad'ha must share the meat with relatives, friends and the needy.