Whether you’re a Muslim who wishes to gain more knowledge regarding this blessed holiday, a student learning about world religions, or simply a person who’s interested in knowing more about Islam, then you’re at the right spot.
This is not some ancient dusty tale from a couple of thousand years ago; this is a living tale that continues to inspire and direct over a billion people across the world.
This is a tale of the extremes of parental love, the testing of faith, and the mercy that follows righteous devotion.
In this tale, you will discover how a father’s willingness to sacrifice his well-beloved son was transformed into not a tragedy but a victory of faith, mercy, and community.
The Story of Prophet Ibrahim & Eid al-Adha
Prophet Ibrahim’s Early Years and Finding Allah
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was born in the ancient land of Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) at a time when humankind used to worship idols.
His father, Azar, was not only an idol worshipper but also an idol carver who created idols for mankind. Ibrahim was trained since childhood to wonder about the logic behind worshipping statues that human beings themselves created with their own hands.
The Quran describes Ibrahim’s spiritual journey in Surah Al-An’am (6:75-79).
He gazed at one star one night and said, “This is my Lord.” But when it vanished, he said, “I do not like the ones that vanish.” When he beheld the moon appearing in glory, he said, “This is my Lord.” But when the moon vanished, he said, “Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.” When he beheld the sun rising in glory, he said, “This is my Lord; this is the greatest.” But when the sun vanished, he uttered, “O my people! I am free from your guilt of giving partners to Allah. I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah.”
This logic guided Ibrahim’s search for truth, he cut out whatever was temporal and contingent, knowing that an eternal God had to be independent also.
Ibrahim’s Experience with His People
After realizing Allah to be the one true God, Ibrahim began propagating monotheism to humanity.
He challenged them with the words, “Do you worship what you carve yourself while Allah has created you and what you make?” This led to a confrontation with his people and even his father.
One day, when the people of his town ventured out for a celebration, Ibrahim visited their temple and broke all the idols but the largest.
He placed the axe in the hands of the other idol. When others returned and saw the damage, they immediately suspected Ibrahim.
Ibrahim, when questioned, made a wise statement, “Rather, this-the-largest of them-did it, so ask them, if they speak!” This forced them to admit that idols are not able to speak and protect themselves, yet still, they did not abandon their false worship.
The people decided to punish Ibrahim by throwing him into a massive fire. They made the fire so massive that they had to employ a catapult to throw him into it.
But Allah commanded the fire, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim” (Quran 21:69). Ibrahim sat miraculously in the center of the fire unscathed, sitting as if in a garden.
Ibrahim’s Family Life and Long Wait for Children
Following these incidents, Ibrahim emigrated from his homeland along with his wife Sarah and nephew Lut (Lot). They went to other lands, such as Palestine and Egypt, preaching monotheism.
Despite being righteous and religious, Ibrahim and Sarah were childless for decades. Childlessness was viewed in ancient times as a great ordeal, since children were regarded as one’s legacy and source of support in one’s old age.
When Ibrahim was around 86 years old, Sarah suggested to him that he marry her maid Hajar (Hagar), an Egyptian woman of noble birth.
Sarah was in the hope that perhaps with Hajar, Ibrahim would find the son they had so much prayed for. Ibrahim agreed, and Hajar gave birth to the son Ismail (Ishmael). Ismail is a name interpreted to mean “God has heard,” reminding one of how Allah had heard their prayer for a child.
Then Allah tested Ibrahim once more by asking him to take Hajar and baby Ismail to the barren valley of Arabia (now Makkah) and abandon them there with some water and dates.
This seemed absurd to leave his wife and infant son in the desert with no grass, no water source, and no people.
When Ibrahim began to walk away, Hajar shrieked, “Are you leaving us here to die?” Ibrahim remained silent.
She then asked him, “Did Allah command you to do this?” When he indicated that he had, with a nod of his head, she replied with absolute faith, “Then Allah will not abandon us.”
Their food soon ran out. Hajar ran repeatedly between Safa hills and Marwah seven times in search of water or relief.
On her seventh visit, she noticed a voice and a vision of Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) striking the ground with his wing.
Water erupted, and this is now the Zamzam well, which still runs to date. Birds came around the water, which caught the attention of a passing tribe (Jurhum), who were approached by her with an invitation to come and settle there with Hajar’s permission. This way, the city of Makkah came into being.
The Birth of Ishaq and the Two Sons
Miraculously, Ibrahim was nearly 100 years old and Sarah was 90 when angels appeared and told them that Sarah would bear a son. Sarah laughed with amazement and said, “Shall I bear a child when I am an old woman and this my husband is an old man? Indeed, this is a great thing!” The angels reassured her that Allah so willed it, and she bore Ishaq (Isaac).
Now Ibrahim had two sons – Ismail in Makkah with Hajar, and Ishaq in Palestine with Sarah. He would go to his two families alternately. Both the sons proved to be righteous men and prophets in their own right, too.
Through Ismail came the Arab nations and ultimately Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whereas through Ishaq came the Israelites and prophets like Yaqub (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), and Isa (Jesus).
The Last Test: The Sacrifice Command
When Ismail reached adolescence (Islamic custom sets his age around 13), Ibrahim was subjected to the greatest trial.
He began to have a recurring dream about offering his son in sacrifice. Though dreams can be dismissed by common human beings, for prophets, dreams form a channel of divine inspiration (wahy).
The same dream for three consecutive nights repeated so that the sign was not in any way ambiguous, that it was a command given by Allah.
Consider the weight of this command: Ibrahim had waited 86 years for a child. Ismail was the fruit of generations of supplication, his beloved firstborn, the son by whom Allah had vowed to establish a great people. And besides, human sacrifice was what the pagan cults did – why would the real God issue a command that seemed to be like pagan rituals? But Ibrahim understood this was the final test of submission.
The Quran provides their conversation in Surah As-Saffat (37:102): “And when he came with him [the time of] effort, he said, ‘O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you, so see what you think.’ He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.”
Note that Ibrahim approached his son rather than forcing him; this was a test for both of them. Ismail’s reply illustrated his complete faith and surrender to Allah’s will.
The Journey and Satan’s Attempts
Father and son traveled to the place of sacrifice (located as Mount Arafat or Mina). Islamic history relates that Satan (Iblis) appeared to them three times on their journey, seeking to deter them:
First visitation to Ibrahim: Satan tried to instill doubt in him about this not being from Allah, that Allah would never be cruel to instruct such an action. Ibrahim drove him away with seven pebbles.
Second visitation to Hajar: Satan attempted to frighten her regarding what was occurring to her son. She also drove him away with stones.
Third visit of Ismail: Satan tried to frighten the young man about his death. Ismail also pelted him.
These three sites where Satan was pelted are commemorated during Hajj at the three Jamarat (pillars) in Mina, where pebbles are thrown as a reminder of this family’s resolve against satanic enticements.
The Moment of Sacrifice
When they reached the site of the sacrifice, father and son both prepared for the offering. Ismail, according to many Islamic narratives, requested the following from his father:
- “Tie my hands and feet so that I don’t struggle and make this more difficult for you.”
- “Sharpen your knife well so that it will be quick.”
- “Turn my face down so that you won’t see my face and get deterred.”
- “Get my shirt and give it to my mother as a keepsake.”
- “Give my salutations of peace to my mother.”
These aspects confirm Ismail’s respect for his parents even after death. Ibrahim agreed to his son’s request. Tears welling up in his eyes but steadfast faith in his heart, Ibrahim placed his son on the ground and pressed the knife against his throat.
The Quran informs us of what then happened (37:103-107): “And when they both had submitted and he placed him on his forehead, We called to him, ‘O Ibrahim, You have fulfilled the vision.’ Indeed, we thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was a clear trial. And we ransomed him with a great sacrifice.”
At the crucial moment, Allah dispatched Angel Jibreel with a ram from Paradise. The blade, which had been sharp enough to chop rope, could not chop the neck of Ismail; it had been spiritually restrained. Ibrahim received the heavenly call that he had passed the test, and he sacrificed the ram as a substitute for his son.
The Wisdom Behind the Test
There were various levels of divine wisdom involved in this test.
- The Nature of True Submission: Allah wanted to demonstrate that true faith is complete submission, although we may not see the wisdom in a directive. Ibrahim did not understand why Allah wanted the life of his son, but he trusted in the ultimate wisdom of Allah.
- Breaking attachment to the world: Though it is inherent and necessary for us to love our offspring, nothing should come before our love for Allah. This test would show that Ibrahim would choose Allah over his closest worldly attachment.
- Distinct from Pagan Practice: Pagan people gave humans to their false gods out of fear or favor, but Ibrahim’s sacrifice was due to sheer love and submission to the One True God. Also, Allah’s intervention proved that He does not desire human sacrifice.
- Setting an Example for Mankind: This story became a timeless model for what the believers have to do when they react to God’s calls, with consultation (as Ibrahim did with Ismail), patience, and complete trust.
- Demonstrating Allah’s Mercy: Allah never intended that the sacrifice should be performed. The ram was already killed, showing that Allah’s mercy embraces everything. He tries His servants not to injure them but to elevate their spiritual ranks.
The Establishment of Eid al-Adha
In celebration of this great moment, Allah instituted the tradition of animal sacrifice as an act of worship. According to the Quran (22:37): “Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.”
The Festival Details
Name and Meaning: Eid al-Adha means “Festival of Sacrifice” in Arabic. It is also known as:
- Eid al-Kabir (the Greater Eid)
- Bakr-Eid (in the Indian subcontinent)
- Tabaski (in West Africa)
- Kurban Bayramı (in Turkey)
Timing: It occurs on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. The day is concurrent with the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, bringing Muslims everywhere together with pilgrims in Makkah.
Duration: While Eid prayer and the big celebration occur on the first day, the days of sacrifice (Ayyam al-Tashreeq) last for three days (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah).
The Sacrifice (Qurbani/Udhiyah)
Who is required to do it: The majority of scholars say that Qurbani is:
- Wajib (obligatory) on all adult Muslims with wealth above the nisab amount (the amount that makes one liable for paying Zakat)
- Some consider it a strongly recommended Sunnah (practice of the Prophet)
Eligible animals:
- Sheep or goat (minimum one year old)
- Cattle (minimum two years old) can be distributed among a maximum of 7 people
- A camel (at least five years old) can carry a maximum of 7 people
Requirements for the animal:
- Must be free of obvious defects
- Should not be blind, very thin, or lame
- Should not possess broken horns or cut ears
- Should be of proper age
The process: The sacrifice must be performed in Allah’s name, with the person saying “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” (In Allah’s name, Allah is Greatest). The animal must be well-treated, and the knife must be sharp to minimize pain.
Distribution: The meat is distributed into three portions:
- One-third for the family
- One-third for relatives, friends, and neighbors
- One-third for the poor and needy
This allocation makes it possible for even the lowest rung of society to partake in meat during the occasion, reflecting the Islamic ideals of charity and communal well-being.
Conclusion
Our story of Prophet Ibrahim and Eid al-Adha carries eternal lessons of faith, sacrifice, and God’s mercy. Every year, this festival reminds the whole Muslim world about Ibrahim’s final test, the willingness to sacrifice his very own son, Ismail, and the mercy of God to provide an alternative in the form of a ram. Muslims, through Qurbani, celebrate this fedayeen act by sharing the meat with their relatives and neighbours and the underprivileged. The act of Eid al-Adha is more than merely okay with a cultural undertone, embodying the chronic values of sacrifice, generosity, and trust in divine wisdom that cut across cultures and are forever relevant.
