Sacrifice is an ancient and deeply rooted ritual in human history that has existed in most religions and civilizations, with various forms and intentions.
According to Ashura News, quoted by Mehr reporter, today is the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, Eid al-Adha. Sacrifice is an ancient and deeply rooted ritual in human history that has existed in most religions and civilizations with various forms and intentions. This act has been a symbol of approaching, gratitude, atonement for sins, and expression of servitude to God. In heavenly religions, especially Islam, the position of the sacrifice is of particular importance and includes a deep philosophy.
Sacrifice is considered one of the most important acts of worship in Judaism. Jewish religious books detail the customs and traditions of sacrifice. Jews performed bloody sacrifices, such as slaughtering animals to atone for sins or as thanksgiving, and non-bloody sacrifices, such as donating grains and bread. The purpose of sacrifice was repentance, confession, sanctification, and seeking God's approval. The sacrificial ceremony was held on private altars or small temples. In Christianity, the ritual of sacrifice has taken on a mystical and symbolic form. Jesus Christ (PBUH) is the embodiment and symbol of personal sacrifice in this religion. According to Christians, the ascension of Jesus (PBUH) is a type of sacrifice to free humanity from sins and this act purifies man from sins. Therefore, in Christianity, there is less emphasis on animal sacrifice and more emphasis on the sacrifice of the soul and self-sacrifice in the way of God. In the era before the emergence of Zoroastrianism, there was also a sacrificial slaughter. However, in Zoroastrianism, the emphasis on sacrifice shifted more towards the moral sacrifice and purity of the soul. However, in some regions and in recent centuries, sheep were still sacrificed in festivals such as Mehregan.
Divine Test
The story of the sacrifice of Prophet Ishmael by Prophet Abraham (PBUH), which is the origin of Eid al-Adha, is one of the most beautiful and instructive Quranic and historical stories that shows the peak of submission and servitude to the divine command.
Prophet Abraham (PBUH) had been longing for a child for many years, and finally, in his old age, God gave him Ishmael (PBUH). Ishmael (PBUH) was very dear to Abraham (PBUH). On the eighth night of Dhul-Hijjah (known as the Day of Tarawih), Abraham (PBUH) saw in a dream that an angel was saying to him: O Abraham! "Your Lord commands you to sacrifice your beloved son in My way." Abraham (AS) woke up wondering whether this was a dream from Satan or a divine revelation. Hence, this day was called the Day of Doubt and Reflection (Yawm al-Tarawiyah).
On the ninth night of Dhul-Hijjah (known as the Day of Arafah), Abraham (AS) saw the same dream again and became certain that this was a divine command. This day was called the Day of Arafah (Yawm al-Knowledge). On the tenth night of Dhul-Hijjah (the night of Eid al-Adha), Abraham (AS) saw the same dream for the third time and made his final decision.
With a spirit full of trust and submission, Abraham (AS) went to his son Ismail (AS) and shared the divine command with him. It is stated in the Holy Quran: "When he reached the place of pursuit, he said, 'O my son, I Are you in a dream that I will punish you, and look at what you said, O father, do what you are commanded, and you will find, God willing, from the patient ones. (Safat: 102) When (Ismail) reached the age of work and effort, (Ibrahim) said: "My dear son! I have dreamed that I slaughter you; What do you think?" He said: "My father! Do what you are commanded, God willing, you will find me among the patient." This response of Ishmael (AS) showed the height of his faith, patience and submission to the divine command. Like his father, he was also willing to sacrifice himself in the way of God.
Prophet Abraham (AS) and Prophet Ishmael (AS) moved towards the altar (the place of Mina in the land of Mecca). On this path, Satan appeared many times in different forms to Abraham (AS), Ishmael (AS) and Hagar, Ishmael's mother, and tried to prevent them from carrying out the divine command by tempting them.
Satan told Abraham (AS) that this dream was from Satan and how could a father sacrifice his child? But Abraham (AS) drove Satan away with complete faith. Satan told Ishmael (AS) that your father intends to kill you, do you accept it? Ishmael (AS) replied firmly that this is the command of God and I submit to it. Satan went to Hagar and told her that Abraham intended to sacrifice Ishmael. Hagar replied that if this is God's command, I am satisfied. On this path, Abraham (AS) and Ishmael (AS) threw stones at Satan at three points and drove him away. This act is a symbol of the battle against Satan's temptations and the determination of the will in the way of God, which is performed by pilgrims today during the Hajj ceremony.
Prophet Abraham (AS) took Ishmael (AS) to the altar. Ishmael (AS) asked his father to tie his hands and feet tightly so that he would not move at the moment of slaughter and would be in complete submission, and also to sharpen the knife so that the work would be done quickly and he would suffer less. He also asked his father to return his shirt to his mother Hagar to comfort her. Abraham (AS) placed the knife on Ishmael's (AS) throat and began to slaughter in the name of God. But the knife did not cut at God's command. This was a great miracle and divine sign. In this way, God confirmed the sincerity of Abraham and Ishmael's (AS) intentions and ultimate submission in the divine test.
At this moment, the trustworthy angel Gabriel (AS) descended with a large, fat ram from Paradise and called out to Abraham (AS): “You have fulfilled your dream (you have fulfilled your duty); thus do We reward the doers of good.” (As-Saffat: 105) Then Gabriel (AS) replaced the ram with Ishmael (AS) and Abraham (AS) sacrificed it by divine command. This ram was a ransom from God for Ishmael (AS), and since then, the tradition of sacrificing on the day of Eid al-Adha was established in the land of Mina and for the pilgrims, in memory of this great sacrifice.
By sacrificing, a person gives part of his wealth in the way of God and helps others, especially the needy. This act strengthens the spirit of altruism and sympathy in society. In addition, sacrifice in Islam is a reminder of the great sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) in the way of God and is considered a revival of the tradition of this great divine prophet. Also, slaughtering an animal in a religious way not only makes the meat halal for consumption, but from a spiritual perspective, it is also considered a kind of purification and cleansing of the soul of the sacrificer. In some cases, sacrifice is performed with the intention of expiating sins or warding off calamities and diseases, which indicates the spiritual dimensions of this act.
In order for the slaughter of an animal in Islam to be halal, certain conditions must be met, the most important of which are the following:
The slaughterer must be a Muslim (in the case of sacrifice, not just a sacrifice).
Saying the name of God (Bismillah) during slaughter.
Using a sharp and cutting tool (knife).
The four main veins of the animal's neck are completely cut in a special way.
The animal is facing the Qiblah during slaughter.
A sufficient amount of blood is drained from the animal's body.
The story of Eid al-Adha and the slaughter of Ishmael is not only a historical event, but also a great lesson in monotheism, submission, patience and sacrifice. This story shows that in the way of God, a person must be willing to sacrifice his most precious possessions and only piety and sincerity are accepted in the court of God. Eid al-Adha is a reminder of this great divine test every year and a renewal of the covenant with God for pure servitude and obedience.
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