MARKING June 6 is dedicated to celebrating one of the most sacred events in the religion of Islam, known as Eid al-Adha, where every family comes together to celebrate and thank God for what he has bestowed upon them.
Also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th Dhu al-Hijja (the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar.)
This is to commemorate and to honor Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for the sake of obedience towards God.
Prophet Ibrahim, together with his wife Hajar, was blessed with a son named Ismail after years of praying for a blessed child. While Ibrahim was sleeping, he was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Ismail as a test of faith.
Being devoted to God, he did not hesitate to follow God’s order despite waiting for the long arrival of his son. God is impressed by his readiness, with God later intervening at the last moment by replacing his son with a ram.
The celebration of Eid al-Adha marks the end of Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. It is one of the five pillars in Islam, making it a duty amongst Muslims to do at least once in a lifetime.
To honor Ibrahim’s devotion, Muslims would sacrifice goats and sheep, with the meat to be later distributed amongst their family, friends, or those who are in need.
The story of Ibrahim might have a dark sequence to prove one’s devotion, but this teaches Muslims to have complete trust in Allah no matter how he tests them.
