Spirit of sacrifice

Eidul Azha for all Muslims is a time to reflect on the spirit of sacrifice. We remember how Prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his son in the name of Allah but at the last minute the son was replaced with a ram. Most Muslims today have taken the literal meaning of this ritual and observe this occasion with sacrificing all types of permitted animals with great gusto. In this, the message of sacrifice is somehow lost. Today we see one competing against the other over the size and value of the animal they have purchased for sacrifice. When it comes to distribution of meat from the sacrificed animal, the best parts are kept for themselves while the less desirable portions of the animal are distributed amongst the poor. There is also great emphasis on sacrificing animals, irrespective of the financial state of the person concerned. All this detracts from this momentous occasion.

The spirit of sacrifice for Muslims should mean that they are willing to give away something that is dear to them in the name of Allah. Buying a goat one day and sacrificing it the next does not seem to fulfill that criterion but given our modern-day compulsions, perhaps this is the best we can do. We can surely make more of an effort.

Sacrifice can also mean how Muslims can give more to the poor and the needy from their own resources — be it their worldly possessions or even their time. The spirit can extend to other possessions too. It is also a time for some much-needed reflection by all of us in terms of the lifestyles we lead. Do we need all the worldly and material possessions we have surrounded ourselves with? Is there some way we can change our lifestyle to make it more simple and more meaningful. These must be some of the thoughts that we should share on Eidul Azha.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2017.

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