بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ
EID UL ADHA SERMON
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar:
Today is
the day of sacrifice. It commemorates the great sacrifice of Father Abraham, as
he was inspired to sacrifice his only son Hazrat Ishmael, because of what he
saw in a vision. He told his son:
O my son; I see in a vision that I offer you in
sacrifice. Now, tell me, what do you think about it? The boy replied: O my
father, do as you are commanded; you will find me, if Allah Wills practicing
patience and constancy. (37:102)
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar…
Abraham
was prepared to do anything to please his Lord, as Allah tells us in the Qur’an
that Abraham became His friend due to devotion and submission. His entire life
did he dedicated to Allah. He declared the following:
Truly, my prayers and my service of sacrifice, my life
and my death; are all for Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds. (6:162)
Because of
his conviction that there is only One Creator of the skies and the earth, and
that no creature could ever be like the Creator, he was prepared live a life of
submission to the Creator. About his faith Allah says:
Who can be better in religion than one who submits his
whole self to Allah, does good; and follow the way of Abraham, the true in
Faith. For, Allah did take Abraham for a friend. (4:125)
The
sacrifice which we commemorate today is the climax of his manifestation of
sincere appreciation of the favours of the Lord on him.
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar….
Allah
tells us in the Qur’an that Abraham is indeed a model for mankind. He did not
preach tribalism or racism; he was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but one who
firmly believed that no creature could ever be like the Creator. Allah says:
Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to
Allah; true in faith; and he joined not gods with Allah. He showed his
gratitude for the favors of Allah, Who chose him and guided him to the Straight
Way. And We gave him good in this world and he will be in the Hereafter, in the
ranks of the righteous. (16:120-22)
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar…
As a model
for mankind, we know the following from Abraham’s life the following:
1. He was
very obedient to the commands of Allah; e.g. he took his wife and only son to
the barren wilderness of Makkah and left them there alone. He prayed to Allah
and was certain that his Lord would take care of them. His prayer was:
O my Lord, I have made some of my offspring to dwell
in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House, in order, O our Lord,
that they may establish regular Prayer. So fill the hearts of some among men
with love towards them, and feed them with fruits so that they may give thanks.
(14:37)
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar
When the only son became a
teenager, Abraham was ordered to sacrifice him. This he willingly undertook.
Allah says:
Then when the
son reached the age of serious work with him He said. O my son, I have seen in
a dream that I offer you in sacrifice; Now, what is your view (about this). The
boy said: O my father, do as you are commanded, you will find me, if Allah
wills; one who has patience. (37:102)
2. He was firm in his belief
that creatures cannot help anyone. It is only the Creator who helps. Allah
says:
Behold, (Abraham said to his father), O my father, why
worship that which does not hear nor see. Such creatures cannot profit you in
any way. (19:42)
3. He was firm in his belief
that there is only one Creator of the entire universe. Once, he asked his
father and the village folks:
Your Lord is the Lord of the skies and the earth. He
created everything from nothing. (21:50)
4. Abraham was always
grateful for Allah’s mercies on him and his family.
Allah says that he was:
He showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah. Allah
chose him and guided him on the Straight Path. (16:121)
5. Abraham submitted
completely to Allah. He prayed as follows:
Truly, my prayer, my service of sacrifice, my life and
my death are all for Allah the Cherisher of the Worlds. (6:162)
6. He knew how to persevere
with patience. He preferred the fire than to make compromise with the people
regarding their practice of idol worshipping. He prayed patiently for a
righteous son who would be willing to carry on his mission. Because he was so
strong in faith, Allah says about him.
Who can be better in religion than one who submits his
whole self to Allah, does good; and follow the way of Abraham the true in
Faith. For Allah did take Abraham for a friend.(4:125)
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar…
In
addition to knowing about the life of Father Abraham, Muslims are commanded to
perform the Haj; and sacrifice an animal.
Allah says:
And complete the Haj and Umrah in the service of
Allah. (2:196)
The sacrificial camels We have made for you as among
the signs from Allah; in them is much good for you. Then pronounce the name of
Allah over them as they line up. When they are down on their sides, eat ye
thereof, and feed such as live in contentment and as such ask with due
humility. Thus have We made animals subject to you, that you may be grateful.
It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Him. (It is your piety
that reaches Him) (22:36-37)
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar…
As we remember
today, the dedication, humility and willingness to submit to Allah by Father
Abraham and his family, let us all silently make a promise to ourselves that we
will endeavour to live for the sake of Allah and utilize all the gifts He has
been pleased to bestow on us for earning His Pleasure in this life and a place
in the Garden of Bliss in the Hereafter.
