As the days of qurbaani draw closer, and the livestock selection and deliveries commence, we are once again reminded of the legacy of the great Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala – Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam).
As represented by the slaughter of animals on the of day of ‘Eid, the legacy of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) is the legacy of sacrifice for the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala. Throughout his life, Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) faced different tests, yet on every occasion, he passed the test with flying colours, always giving preference to pleasing Allah Ta‘ala over anyone and everyone else.
Though the test of slaughtering his beloved son, Nabi Ismaa‘eel (‘alaihis salaam), is the test directly commemorated on the auspicious occasion of ‘Eidhul Adha, there is another series of tests which Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) underwent which should not be forgotten.
Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) grew up in a society and community of idol worshippers. His very own father was the manufacturer of the idols which people would worship as gods. As such, one of the very first tests Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) faced was the test regarding his father.
In the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala makes mention of the respectful and kind manner in which Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) addressed his father and invited him to Islam. Yet, his father not only rejected his da’wah, but went as far as threatening to stone him if he did not cease his da’wah efforts. Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) then made the sacrifice of leaving the home of his father in order to please Allah Ta‘ala.
Similarly, Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) had invited his community to worship Allah Ta‘ala alone, and he explained the foolishness of idol worship to them, yet they too remained stubborn and adamant in their disbelief.
Finally, when Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) saw that the people were not prepared to repent from idol worship, he decided to make the great sacrifice of moving away. Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) left his community and his hometown, departing for the land of Shaam. This great sacrifice which he made was carried out solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala.
In many places of the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala describes the way of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) using the word ‘haneef’. The ‘Ulama explain that the word ‘haneef’ refers to one who is completely averse and opposed to all the false religions, while only inclined to the Deen of Islam.
Hence, Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) emphatically declared to his people, “Indeed, we completely disassociate ourselves from you and from that which you worship besides Allah. We reject you, and enmity and hatred has arisen between us forever – until you bring imaan in Allah alone…” (Surah Mumtahinah v4)
This declaration of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam), of his allegiance being solely to Allah Ta‘ala, and not having any friendship with the kuffaar, was so beloved to Allah Ta‘ala, that Allah Ta‘ala enshrined his words in the Quraan Majeed, until the Day of Qiyaamah, and encouraged us to emulate him, saying that it is an excellent example to follow. Hence, while fulfilling the rights of every human being and dealing with everyone with justice and kindness, the heart of a believer will only be attached to a mu-min.
At the time when Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) left his community and every familiar face behind, departing for an unknown land, he made du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala. The Mufassireen mention that the du‘aa which Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) apparently made was for Allah Ta‘ala to remove the effects of loneliness and separation from him, as he departed from his family and people.
Allah Ta‘ala accepted this du‘aa of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) by blessing him to be the father of many Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam). Allah Ta‘ala blessed him with his son, Nabi Ishaaq (‘alaihis salaam), and from him, his grandson, Nabi Ya’qoob (‘alaihis salaam), and via him, all the other Ambiyaa of the Banu Israa-eel. Hence, Allah Ta‘ala granted him a family of Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) and righteous people, in the place of his family that he left (for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala). (Adapted from Ma‘aariful Quraan vol. 6, pg. 36)
In the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala says, “Then when he left them, and that which they were worshiping besides Allah, We bestowed to him Ishaaq and Ya’qoob, and each (of them) we made a Nabi.” (Surah Maryam v49)
In the very same way, the sacrifice which each one of us needs to make, not on the day of ‘Eid but every day, is the sacrifice of shunning and rejecting the ways of the disbelievers. Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) physically distanced himself from the disbelievers by moving to a different land altogether. Since this is difficult for us today, at the very least, we must distance ourselves from them in our ways and our culture.
Whether it is our dressing, hairstyles, homes, businesses and dealings, wedding functions, holidays, activities to remain fit and healthy, education, or any other aspect of our lives – our lifestyle must reflect that we are ‘haneef’ – dedicated to the way of Islam and the sunnah, and completely distinct and different to the ways of the disbelievers. Together with cutting the throat of the sacrificial animals, we must cut any inclination that we have to the disbelievers and their ways.
If we bring this into our lives, and make this sacrifice to please Allah Ta‘ala, then just as He blessed Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) with a far better replacement in lieu of that which he sacrificed, Allah Ta‘ala will also bless us, in this world and the next, with such happiness, blessings and bounties which we cannot comprehend.
May Allah Ta‘ala accept our qurbaani, and assist us to lead our lives according to the pristine sunnah at all times, aameen.