In Islam sacrifice, commonly known as Qurbani, means slaughter of a permissible animal in the name of Allah on the 10th, 11th or 12th of the Islamic month of Zilhij. It is the fulfilment of 'Sunnat-i-Ibrahimi,' when one night Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) dreamed that 'Allah' had ordered him to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail (AS), who was dearest, to him. 'Allah' just wanted to test the feelings of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS).
When he told Hazrat Ismail of what he dreamed, he found him steadfast, resolute and asked his father to carry out, what was ordained by 'Allah', but, 'Allah' was so much pleased with his obedience to Him, that Angel Gabriel was ordered to replace a fat sheep at the time when Hazrat Ismail was under his father's knife.
Since, then every Muslim, on whom 'Sadqai Fitr' is (Wajib) has to sacrifice an animal every year to commemorate the great event for his or her communion with 'Allah'. It is an essential religious rite in memory of the sacrifice performed by Prophet Abraham. Generally, slaughter of goats, sheep, rams, cows and camels is offered. One third of the meat must be given to the poor in charity, while the rest can be distributed among friends, family and neighbours.
Eid-ul-Azha brings joy to the rich and the poor alike. Even the poorest Muslim tries to wear new clothes, shoes and uses perfumes, before going for the congregational prayers and sacrifices an animal or takes a share in a cow, bullock, buffalo or a camel, on his return from the prayers.
The occasion of Eid-ul-Azha clearly demands that we renew our faith in the principles of piety, devotion and sacrifice in the way of Allah. The path of Islam is not an option of convenience and its pursuit is not possible without a clear choice, single-minded devotion, steadfastness and compliance with the command of the Creator.
Actually the Islamic fraternity as a whole must resolve anew at this juncture to emulate Hazrat Ibrahim's example if it seeks to reap the Divine reward and resume its ordained role.
When we slaughter an animal we should not forget that Ibrahim's life and career were marked by a series of sacrifices. He rebelled against the idolatrous order of the time, challenged the false gods and championed the cause of monotheism against polytheism. The divine flame of faith in him could not be extinguished by the direst of threats.
He chose to abandon his home, not his mission. No wonder he earned the coveted title of "Khalilullah" (Friend of God). Those who claim to follow his example of devotion and sacrifice even symbolically should search their souls. If they do this, in some measure, they would be able to tame the animal within.
This message is driven home in the Quran, which says: "It is not their (animals') meat nor their blood that reaches Allah. It is your Taqwah (piety) that reaches Him."
In Pakistan we are passing through a difficult phase and facing a formidable challenge. The need to steer clear of extremism and adopt the concept of moderation is manifest. The bane of sectarianism must be rooted out and mutual tolerance as a fundamental principle of Islam must be accepted and practised. We should aim at higher and nobler ideals.
Alleviation of poverty, want and deprivation call for sustained efforts. Pursuit of knowledge ought to be our top priority since knowledge is not only enlightenment but power.
If the Muslims wish to transform themselves into a forward-looking, dynamic force, they will have to summon forth the same spirit of sacrifice and steadfastness that Hazrat Ibrahim displayed and as a reward earned the Divine promise that "I will make thee an Imam to the Nations". No wonder the prayer taught by Allah to His last Messenger ran thus: "Say O' Muhammad, verily my Lord has guided me to a path that is straight, a religion of right, the path trod by Ibrahim, the true in faith and he certainly joined no gods with God. Say truly 'my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are all for God'."
Islam lays great emphasis on 'Huqooq-ul-Ibad' after the 'Huqooq-ul-Allah'. Safai (cleanliness) is 'Nisf Iman'. But it is observed that most of us are very mindful of 'Huqooq-ul-Allah' and pay little heed to 'Huqooq-ul-Ibad'. We are so eager for 'Qurbani' that our civic and social obligations are thrown to the winds in the excitement of 'Qurbani'. On every 'Eid-ul-Azha', everybody likes to get his animal sacrificed nearest to his or her residence. Blood, offal and other waste, after an animal has been sacrificed, is thrown out, which comes under the feet of the pedestrians and the motorists. Blood washed from the residences, creates small pools of blood on the roads and in the streets. Offal, kept outside a house, is dragged by dogs or the naughty children pelt it with stones to burst the offal.
Maintaining cleanliness in front of your own house, means shifting your problem to your neighbour. Care should, therefore, be taken that your neighbour is not inconvenienced by your actions. Cleanliness is 'Nisf Iman' but it is not evidenced in any locality on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
Civic agencies involved in keeping an area clean by their quick attendance, should be awarded by the Municipal Committees on the performance of their duties. 'Khatibs' in the mosques should also emphasise the importance of keeping the area clean, after sermons on the importance of 'Eid-ul-Azha' and all other aspects linked with 'Qurbani' are over. The news and the electronic media may launch campaigns, before the actual advent of Eid-ul-Azha to educate the masses the importance of 'Huqooq-ul-Ibad'.
The message and mission of Hazrat Ibrahim thus reached the culminating point through the life (seerat) and tradition (sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Eid-ul-Azha is, thus, the most appropriate occasion for us to revive this spirit and reaffirm the responsibilities that go with it. Let us pray for the fortification of our faith, for strengthened fraternal ties, for the unity of the Islamic world and for the liberation of our brethren in distress and under alien subjugation.
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