The Sacrifice

Today I will like to delve into another Islamic tradition which quite a number of people are familiar with. It’s the recently celebrated Muslim festival of eid-ul-adha. The celebration of animal sacrifice is an event in Islamic history that commemorates Prophet Ibrahim or Abrahams utter submission to the Divine Command of Allah until at the last moment Allah sent an animal to be slaughtered instead. According to Islamic literature. This is a manifestation of his devotion to the Almighty. His spirit of unwavering submission to Allah is epitomized every year as Muslims indulge in a similar sacrifice.

It is celebrated as a feast even though it has an underlying spiritual significance attached to the whole celebration.The sacrifice on this occasion is meant to be recognition of the spiritual favours God has bestowed on his creation and should use such an occasion to thank Him by making sacrifices. This occasion of sacrifice is preceded by attending a prayer.

On this day, Muslims attend the Eid prayers. The Eid prayer is a couple of units or rakah's, followed by a sermon, or khutbah, by the imam. After which sacrifices of animals are made, and the meat is distributed to family, friends and the poor.

 It’s quite similar to Friday Jumuah prayers. Only that on this occasion, it’s a celebration. One key aspect of this celebration is the Remembrance of the plight of the poor and giving in charity. There is an valuable lesson to be learned in making a sacrifice and sharing with the community that one lives.

It is heartening to observe the spirit of sharing and giving on this day.