Sacrifice indeed - Eidul Adha

Sacrifice and commitment are two things which human find it difficult to do or do it in frequent basis. Moreover, to sacrifice yourself for the One, who created you is somehow out of question for some of us. This Eidul Adha signifies the sacrifice and commitment made by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) A.S by offering his son, Prophet Ismail A.S as the sacrifice lamb upon a command from Allah through his dream. But this was a test from Allah, so before he could slaughter his son, the angel replaced him with a sacrificing animal.

Allah always tests us in many ways that we don't even think it is actually a test either when we are happy or in the least despair mode. Allah said in the Quran:

Do men think that they will be left alone on saying “We believe” and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false. (29:2-3)

Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned (21:35)

Even Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

Anyone for whom Allah intends good, He makes him suffer from some affliction. (Bukhari)

Eidul Adha is not all about charity but how it reminds us to be modest and celebrate it together from all walks of life and have a major feast as it makes us become one! The poor can feels how it is like to be rich upon the meat they got and the rich can feels the other way around because of their sacrifice and mingle with the poor. Not only that, it reminds us how we sacrifice our time and energy for Allah through our actions. Have we done enough in our 'ibadah towards Him? Do we regularly remind ourselves to do good deeds for Him? Are we spreading His words? When will we go and find the correct path? Have we sacrifice our evil deeds and bad habits for greater good of ourselves? These are questions that we must ask ourselves over and over again.

There are few examples that we can take from the life of Prophet Abraham A.S and people around him. As in the Quran, Allah said:

"Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim (Abraham) and those with him..." (60:4)

1. Always have good faith towards Allah

In 'Anbiya' Allah' book by Ahmad Bahjat, there is a story where Prophet Abraham A.S left his wife, Siti Hajar and his son, Prophet Ismail A.S out of nowhere in the dessert because Allah ordered him to. But still, this couple kept their composure well to endure it. They knew Allah already set good things for them and accepted His orders.

2. Find 'halal' and good fortune

We may have heard the story where Siti Hajar, wife of Prophet Abraham A.S went back and forth from Marwa Hill to Safa Hill seven times to find water and in the end she found it. As we can see, to find 'halal' and good fortune, every effort is counted and we can only found it if we do it for Allah sake effortlessly and pray for His help.

"And when the prayer ends, spread out in the land and seek Allah’s munificence, and profusely remember Allah, in the hope of attaining success" (62:10)

3. Sacrifice for Allah

This is the story where Prophet Abraham A.S wanted to sacrifice his son upon the command from Allah but the angel changed him with sacrificing animal. Without Allah permission the thing that we seek can't be obtained and only through sacrifice and full commitment, success is in our hand.

"So offer the prayers for your Lord, and perform the sacrifice" (108:2)

4. Educate your family

Prophet Ismail A.S didn't become a very patient person by himself, simply because from what he has been taught by his parent. To educate a child and family members is not an easy task and it may takes longer time than you expected. That's why it is such an obligatory to educate ourselves first then our family and don't rely on others to do it for you because we are the one who gave birth and close to them and it is our responsibility to nurture them as how Allah wants us to do.

"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Hellfire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded" (66:6)

Here is a video on how a change of words can help a person without sacrifice much as we think. It is indeed a beautiful day! HAPPY EIDUL ADHA!