Eid-ul-Azha brings the message of harmony and sacrifice

Eid-ul-Azha is an occasion of immense significance and deep spiritual meaning in the life of a Muslim. It is a day that marks success in the test of sacrifice and patience. This sacred festival is inseparably intertwined with profound religious sentiment. In Islam, religion and life are deeply interconnected. Thus, for a Muslim, Eid is not merely about luxury or enjoyment—it encompasses a sense of duty, empathy, and brotherhood.

The spirit of unity among people of all social classes makes this occasion especially meaningful. The importance and significance of Eid-ul-Azha are boundless for every Muslim around the world. On the 10th day of the Arabic month of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims globally observe Eid-ul-Azha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. In the Holy Qur'an, Almighty Allah declares: "It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Me, but it is your piety that reaches Me."

Through the act of Qurbani (sacrifice), we demonstrate the depth of our devotion, fear of Allah, and our commitment to His divine command. Allah witnesses the sincerity with which each individual performs this act—how much they are willing to sacrifice and how deeply rooted their God-consciousness (taqwa) is. Regardless of wealth or social status, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in an atmosphere of joy and togetherness. It is a day of great importance for Muslims, a day when hearts converge in collective happiness and spiritual unity.

On this day, Muslims begin by performing the obligatory Eid prayer in the morning, followed by the ritual sacrifice of animals. Both the prayer and the act of Qurbani are avenues to seek the pleasure of Allah. Just as the spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr fades, Eid-ul-Azha arrives with its own profound message. The most significant act of this Eid is the sacrifice itself, which is considered a noble form of worship among the many good deeds in Islam.

Qurbani is performed not merely as a ritual, but as a means to attain the pleasure of Allah. It is carried out because Allah has commanded it—and Muslims fulfill this command in obedience and submission. The outward act of animal sacrifice is not the essence; what matters most is the inner sense of reverence and fear of Allah. That is why the significance and joy of Eid-ul-Azha are so profound. It is a festival deeply connected with sacred spiritual sentiment.

From the perspective of Islam, life and religion are intricately intertwined. Thus, Eid is not merely a celebration of joy—it is deeply connected to a sense of duty, compassion, and fraternity. The spirit of harmony among all levels of society holds particular significance during this festival. Eid carries a profound message of unity, encouraging people to forget their differences and to foster bonds of love and mutual respect.

The act of Qurbani performed on Eid-ul-Azha is a test of the human heart. It is not the blood or meat of the sacrificed animal that reaches Allah, but the sincerity, taqwa (God-consciousness), and devotion residing in the heart. This Eid conveys a message of equality and reveals the compassion within a believer's soul. It inspires the human mind with ideals of altruism and self-sacrifice—this is the true teaching and success of Eid.

Qurbani is a significant form of worship and a vital symbol of Islamic tradition. The essence of this sacrifice lies in offering one’s most cherished possessions solely for the pleasure of Allah—an embodiment of sacrifice, endurance, and submission. Indeed, Eid-ul-Azha returns each year carrying with it a powerful message of self-purification, inner fulfillment, and spiritual sacrifice.

If we embrace the teachings of Eid-ul-Azha, we can protect ourselves from sin, deprivation, social injustice, and the deceptions of the lower self and Satan. The ritual of sacrificing an animal on this day symbolizes the inner sacrifice of the animalistic traits within us—desires such as lust, anger, greed, delusion, slander, and jealousy. These inner vices must be "sacrificed" to attain true nearness to Allah.

Through the ritual of sacrificing an animal acquired with halal earnings, this inner devotion is outwardly expressed. The tradition of Qurbani is as ancient as humanity and religion itself. This sacred practice has existed in every divine law sent by Allah since the time of Adam (AS). The command for sacrifice has been consistently present among the followers of all prophets—each community was required to perform it as an essential part of their worship.

The long history of human civilisation testifies that across cultures and civilisations, people have felt the need to offer their most cherished possessions to the Divine. This is the eternal nature of humans.

The form of Qurbani that has been prescribed for us stems from the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who, in absolute obedience to Allah’s command, prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (AS). In the barren plains of Mina, these two devout servants of Allah set a matchless example of submission and sacrifice. Eid-ul-Azha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, is a commemoration of that unparalleled act of devotion and surrender.

Following in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Muslims around the world symbolically offer their most valued possessions—through the sacrifice of animals—as a testimony of their willingness to dedicate life and wealth in the way of Allah. To immortalise Ibrahim's noble act and to honour his accepted sacrifice, Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) gifted the Muslim Ummah with Eid-ul-Azha and made Qurbani a prescribed practice.

Though Qurbani is also a social custom, it is, in essence, a divine ordinance initiated for the sake of Allah. He alone is the Sustainer whose mercy mankind constantly seeks. Our wealth, our families, our very society—all are dedicated to Him, and Qurbani is a symbolic expression of that devotion. Through sacrifice, one is tested on whether they are truly willing to give up what they love most for the sake of Allah.

Qurbani serves as a continual reminder of this trial. Just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was tested by Allah, so are we—though our tests today are far less severe. We are not asked to sacrifice our own children, as Ibrahim (AS) was prepared to do; instead, by offering a halal animal in sacrifice, we symbolically pass the test of submission. The greater one's success in such spiritual trials of faith, the closer they become to Allah and the more they embody His representation on earth. Such individuals experience the true spiritual joy of Eid, which is directly proportional to their sincerity and success in this test of faith.

Indeed, before the blood of the sacrificial animal even touches the ground, its reward is accepted by Allah—provided the sacrifice is offered with the spirit of pure faith and devotion. This acceptance underscores the real significance of Qurbani: it is not the act itself, but the intention, the sincerity, and the willingness to surrender that matter.

When a believer places the knife on the throat of the sacrificial animal, their heart must resonate with the faith and devotion with which Ibrahim (AS) raised the knife upon his beloved son. If the heart does not echo with that same spirit of surrender and love for Allah, if it does not brim with a deep yearning to submit to Him, then the Qurbani is reduced to a mere ritual—devoid of its spiritual depth.

Ultimately, Qurbani is a powerful symbol. It is a tangible demonstration of the believer’s readiness to sacrifice for Allah—a testament to inner faith, humility, and devotion.

If the lesson of Qurbani inspires a year-round spirit of selflessness—where one seeks nearness to Allah by offering their wealth for the welfare of others—then it can be said that the Qurbani has fulfilled its true purpose, and Eid-ul-Azha has attained its meaning. Otherwise, it remains nothing more than a consumerist ritual, stripped of its deeper significance. Qurbani is not a spectacle nor merely a feast of meat. Without genuine devotion and heartfelt fear of Allah, the opportunity that Eid-ul-Azha offers will be wasted in vain.

Eid-ul-Azha returns to us each year bearing a profound message of self-purification, contentment, and sacrifice. If we can internalize its spiritual lessons, we can guard ourselves against sin, deprivation, social injustice, and the lures of desire or the whisperings of Satan. The sacrificial animal is but a symbol; in truth, what must be sacrificed are the animalistic traits within us—lust, anger, greed, attachment, envy, slander, and jealousy.

This is manifested through the act of sacrificing a halal animal purchased with halal earnings. It becomes a declaration of our willingness to surrender our most prized possessions in Allah’s cause. May this spirit of equality and empathy awaken in us as we stand shoulder to shoulder in prayer and celebration, leaving behind hate, conflict, and division. Let us hope for a society—both individually and collectively—free from fear and uncertainty. May we pledge to come together in unity and compassion, embracing the sacred joy of Eid-ul-Azha. Eid Mubarak to all.

Rayhan Ahmed Tapader: Researcher and columnist