Muslims all over the world are spiritually preparing themselves to rejoice Eid Al Adha, the Eid of Sacrifice. By and large, Muslims derive spiritual as well as physical pleasures out of their two celebrations. But, the present pandemic situation has shrunken the pleasure derived out of outdoor celebration.
Eid Al Adha is a festival of commemoration of a sacred sacrifice carried out by Prophet Ibrahim (A), towards obedience to the Order of his Lord, Allah, to slaughter his loving son, Prophet Ismail (A). Quran explains the breathtaking scene of his fulfilment of the dream.
“O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what thy view is!” (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 has already fulfilled the vision! Thus indeed Do We reward those who do right.” (37:102-105)
Having contented with the attempt of fulfilling the dreams of Ibrahim, His Lord ransomed with a momentous sacrifice as a blessing for him among the generations (to come) in later times. (37:107-108)
Thus, the most important act on the day of Eid Al Adha has become the sacrificing of animals. Believers by slaughtering animals on the day of Eid Al Adha, are declaring sincere solidarity to the Path of Prophet Ibrahim (A).
While celebrating Eid Al Adha, Muslims all over the world cannot but remember the performance of Haj, the fifth pillar of Islam. Muslims from all over the world gather in Mecca to perform Haj.
Both Haj and the celebration of Eid Al Adha drive the souls of Muslims to a spiritual journey to observe and inspire the trials and triumphs of Prophet Ibrahim (A) which date back to more than 4,000 years. In actual fact, the entire life of Prophet Ibrahim (A) was synonymous with the core and meaning of Islam “SUBMISSION”. About his readiness of submission to the Will of his Lord, Allah, Quran says: “When his Lord said to him, submit (ie, be a Muslim), He said, I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the Worlds.” (Mankind, Jinn and all that exists) (2:131).
As a result of his total obedience to the Will of his Lord, Allah, Prophet Ibrahim’s life from the cradle to the grave became full of trials and threats; starting from his own father Azar until he was thrown into the blazing fire of King Namrud. But, by the Mercy of Allah the fire did not burn him; rather it turned into coolness (11.69).
Let us, therefore, renew the message of Eid by confirming our readiness to sacrifice any valuable object and to submit our wills to the Will of Allah. Let me conclude with a prayer to Allah to save the entire humanity from the continuing pandemic situation. May Allah protect our beautiful Bahrain with its entire inhabitants and their wise ruler His Majesty King Hamad.
May all in Bahrain have a happy Eid celebration.
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