Sunna

Qurbani is the Sunna of Ibrahim

MNA Life Style Desk: Qurbani is also referred to as the Sunna of Ibrahim in many texts. It follows the true story of father and son, Ibrahim and Ismail, and their unflinching loyalty and devotion to Allah (SWT). The story serves as a means of motivation, education and inspiration to millions of Muslims around the world today. Here, we will talk about this story at length.

Qurbani or sacrifice is synonymous with surrender. It symbolizes that the person performing Qurbani is willing to sacrifice everything dear to him for Allah. It symbolizes and strengthens the promise with Allah that the person performing Qurbani would be willing to obey all the commandments of Allah and will sacrifice his interests and belongings that come in the way of fulfilling Allah’s orders.

Thus, Qurbani is a great ‘Ibadah’ in Islam and is a source of reinvigorating the pact with Allah if done with proper understanding of its philosophy, history and purpose.

It is said that Ibrahim (AS) had a dream one night, in which Allah (SWT) told him to sacrifice Ismail, his beloved son. At first Ibrahim (AS) thought it was the devil playing tricks on him and he immediately disregarded it.

However the following night, the same dream occurred again commanding him to do the same. Ibrahim (AS) then came to realize that this was no fluke and in fact, a message from Allah (SWT). Ibrahim (AS) loved his son, Ismail (AS). Yet he was fully prepared to follow Allah’s (SWT) command and do as He instructed. He took his son to Mount Arafat along with a knife and rope.

Upon reaching there, he told his son about his dream and what Allah SWT had commanded him to do. Being an obedient son, Prophet Ismail (AS) immediately obliged and asked that his hands and legs be tied so that he may not struggle and that his father blindfold himself so that he won’t have to witness him suffer.

Ibrahim (AS) did as Ismail (AS) had said. Blindfolded and with the knife in his hands, he did as Allah SWT had asked of him. When he took the blindfold off, to his surprise, he saw the body of a dead ram in front of him. Ismail (AS) was completely unharmed standing right next to him.

At first he thought that something had gone horribly wrong and that he had disobeyed the order of his Creator. But then he heard a voice telling him that Allah (SWT) looks after his followers and that he need not worry. Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) had just passed a difficult test from Allah SWT.

Since then, every year, during the month of DhulHijjah, Muslims from around the world perform Qurbani to remember what Ibrahim did. Muslims sacrifice animals (preferably a goat, cow or camel) in memory of the deed.

Qurbani for Muslims is therefore a lesson in obedience. As Muslims, we must obey Allah’s command without pause. We must perform the tasks he has ordained compulsory on all Muslims such as praying Salat, performing Sawm, paying Zakat and embarking on Hajj.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

x

Check Also

people

Cold-related diseases affect 5,852 in 24 hours

MNA Lifestyle Desk: Various cold-related diseases have affected 5,852 people across the country in the ...

Scroll Up