EID UL AD’HAA: CELEBRATING THE BEST HUMAN QUALITIES- BY PROFESSOR TIMEHIN OLUROTIMI

In less than three days from now, we shall throng out in millions to various centres for Eid ul Ad'haa prayers. As we look forward to the day of sacrifice, our brethren who are assembled in the sacred precinct of the holiest place on earth are making the final preparations to commence the series of activities that constitute the real Hajj experience. Since our devotions during hajj and our slaughtering of sacrificial animals are commemorative of Prophet Ibrahim and his devotion to Allah, I ask Allah to clothe you and me with the garb of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and his total submission to Divine Majesty.

I implore you on this day to reflect on Ibrahim’s iconic surrender at the threshold of Divine Power and his selfless emptying of all personal preferences in favour of the Divine preference. This is not only proverbial; it is also legendary. He became honoured among men and in the Divine Assembly to such an extent that the Noblest Soul that ever walked on the surface of this firmament became one of his progeny.

The eid ul Ad’haa holds deep spiritual significance beyond the physical act. It is rooted in submission, gratitude, and remembrance of Allah. It commemorates the unwavering obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who was willing to sacrifice his son Isma'il (AS) in submission to Allah’s command.

Allah says:

“When they both submitted [to Allah’s will] and he laid him down upon his forehead, We called out to him, ‘O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the dream.’ Indeed, this was a clear trial.”

(Q 37:103–106)

This episode in the life of Ibrahim (as) underscores the importance of sincerity in submission and true Taqwa (piety and God-Consciousness) in the life of a true believer. Allah obviously did not intend Ibrahim to slaughter his child. He is a Loving God, and He did not need to take an innocent soul to prove any point. He only intended to test Ibrahim’s devotion after He had been granted the gift of a child, which was his greatest need in his old age.

Allah did not instruct him through the medium of an Angel nor through spiritual telepathy. He only saw himself in a dream slaughtering the child. 

As a Prophet, Ibrahim (as) knew that his dream was a kind of divine communication, so, he took it as such and communicated it to Ismail, the child, who, himself, was well-bred and taught in religious tenets. 

Ismail, surprisingly, unlike most children, agreed and promised that he would cooperate with his father in submission and obedience to Allah. When therefore, Ibrahim laid his son down by his side, intending to slaughter him in reality, Allah told him that he had already fulfilled the dream. What was intended to be slaughtered had been slaughtered. The divine intention was that he should slaughter his attachment to others and his love for his child for the sake of Allah. His readiness to truly kill the child had already conveyed his submission. Hence, the declaration “O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the dream”.

The replacement of the child with an animal was symbolic for later generations that would commemorate the incident as the greatest trial of faith. Our rams are mere symbols of our possessions - everything we possess: our lives, spouses, children, wealth, property, knowledge, time, honour, etc. The objects of sacrifice do not matter. What matters is the intention and piety behind the sacrifice. Allah declares: 

“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is the taqwa (piety) from you that reaches Him...”

(Q 22:37)

Slaughtering the animals, therefore, reminds us of the value and essence of life. By offering a life in Allah’s name, you are reminded of the sanctity of life and the need to express gratitude for Allah’s provision. This teaches you humility and acknowledges that all life is a trust from Allah, and all provisions are His blessings.

When the meat of the sacrificial animal is divided and shared with family, neighbours, and the needy—promoting generosity, unity, empathy, and care for others, it fosters compassion, equal distribution of blessings.

In Islam, the animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha is, therefore, not just a ritual—it is a powerful spiritual exercise in faith, submission, and compassion. It reminds the believer that true devotion lies in the heart, that sacrifice is the essence of worship, and that we must be ever ready to give for the sake of Allah. That we commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (as) shows that Muslims are the true heirs of his spiritual heritage. Of all the Abrahamic family of faith, only Islam celebrates this landmark incident with such grandeur. It is a psycho-spiritual affirmation of the connection between Ibrahim (as), the primordial ancestor, and Muhammad (saw), the final legislative heir of the Divine Law. How lucky was the ancestor and how great was the offspring!  

In light of this, the Ibrahimic essence should reflect in us all. We only need to submit as he did; surrender as he did; persevere as he did, and glorify the Divine with our conduct as he did, so that we can soar as he did in endless orbits of Divine Favours.

Like Ibrahim therefore, I implore Allah to bend your heart in submission to Him and in awe of Him; may your body organs be consecrated to His worship and service; may your spirit be lifted by His Mercy and Favours; may your soul be illuminated by the radiance of His Eternal Light.

By His Glory, your deeds shall be adorned by His Grace, your steps shall be guided by His Love, and your essence shall be defined by His Benevolence. His Power shall subdue your fears, allay your anxieties, suppress your worries, remove your challenges, grant your requests, and fulfil your desires. 

Eid Mubarak in advance

© PROFESSOR TIMEHIN SAHEED OLUROTIMI

- NIGERIA