'Eid-ul-Adha is A Symbol of Obedience

'Eid-ul-Adha is A Symbol of Obedience

By Ghazi Abu Umar McKenzie

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-‘ālamīn. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam is His Messenger.

‘Eid Al-Adha is preceded by the glorious Day of 'Arafah and is one of the important days of Hajj. The main theme and messages of Hajj are willfully submission and obedience in complete peace to Allāh Subhanahu wa Ta`ala. In the remarkable stories of Prophet Ibrāhīm, Prophet Isma'il, and Hajar, (`alaihissalam) we witness extraordinary examples of obedience and submission to Allāh Subhanahu wa ta`ala, which is the core meaning of Islām. In fact, submission is the very meaning of the word "Islām". Thus the meaning and essence of Islam are manifested in Hajj, which reminds us of our mission and purpose in life.

'Eid Al-Adha is a symbol of obedience. It signifies submission to Allāh Almighty. On this day, we commemorate together the acts of obedience and submission performed by Prophet Ibrahim (‘alaihissalam) and his family when he was commanded to take Hajar and their son Isma'il to an uninhabited, barren, distant land and leave them there alone. He submitted and obeyed. When Hajar realized what was happening, she cried out, "Ibrahim! Are you going to leave us in this valley where no people live?" She repeated the question yet she received no answer, so she asked him, "Did Allāh orders you to do this?" He replied, "Yes." So she said, "Then Allāh will not let us perish." Thus she submitted.

When his son Isma'il became older, Ibrahim ('alaihissalam) had a dream that Allāh Subhanahu wa Ta`ala commanded him to sacrifice him. He duly submitted it as Allāh’s command and informed his son and his son obediently accepted it. But Allāh replaces it with a lamb to perform a sacrifice. The family of Ibrahim was a family of obedience and submission. They were tested and tried again and again, but the result was always submission and obedience; “I hear I obey”. This is the syiar (testimony, message) of the Hajj and Eidil Adha.

Both, the celebrations of Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr come after performing a pillar of Islām and an act of obedience to Allāh. Hence 'Eid Al-Adha and 'Eid Al-Fitr are annual reminders that this life is a test and we must be obedient if we wish to be successful. Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, social status, and culture are reminded and given the message:  Surrender to Allāh, submit to Allāh. Are we hearing this message?

Just as Prophet Ibrahim a.s was tested throughout his life to see if he would submit or not, we will also be tested to see whether we submit or refuse ourselves to Allāh's commands! Know that toils, struggles, and hardships will accompany our quest to obedience. If we obey, we will be in the company of the likes of Prophet Ibrahim a.s and his family in Paradise, as Allāh says:

“All who obey Allāh Subhanahu wa Ta`ala and the messenger shall dwell in the company of those whom Allāh has favored with His Grace: the prophets, the sincere lovers of Truth, the martyrs, and the Righteous who do good. Ah! What a beautiful companionship!”

[An-Nisā' 4:69]

'Eid contains many wonderful messages among which is that 'Eid is an external expression of the testimony of faith "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh," which means to follow Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) in his commandments, abstain from all that he has forbidden, believe in all that he has informed us of, and worship Allāh with only that which he has prescribed. Allāh says:

“Say: Obey Allāh and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If you obey Him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to convey [the message] in a clear way.”

[An-Nur 24:54]

Consequently if you truly desire Paradise, all that is required of you is obedience because the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) has said Paradise for whoever that follows him: "All of my nation will enter Paradise except those who refuse." His Companions said, "Who would refuse?" He answered, "Whoever obeys me enters Paradise and whoever disobeys me has refused."

[Al-Bukhari]

Likewise, Allāh warns us throughout the Qur’an of the consequences of choosing to disobey Him. For example Allāh says:

“And whosoever disobeys Allāh and His Messenger, and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment.”

[An-Nisā' 4:14]

And among the messages of 'Eid is that all Muslims are one people and one brotherhood; we gather together for the prayer and shares the blessings of the `Eid. During these days we must try extra hard to strengthen our brotherhood and mend our differences upon the truth.

Muslim youth, take the opportunity of 'Eid to be kind to your parents, and know that obedience to your parents is obedience to Allāh provided that it is free of disobedience to Allāh. Stay away from alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, for they destroy the heart, the intellect, and the society.

Women, witness the Solat 'Eid without displaying and flaunting your beauty or wearing perfumes. Fear Allāh s.w.t in regards to your dress code and know that the dress code of the Muslim woman is an honor, not oppression. The dress code is that your clothing should cover your entire body apart from the hands and face; it should not be adorned and attractive in and of itself; it should be loose and opaque. This dress code is to be observed in the masjids as well as in all public gathering places.

We Muslims should take action now toward improving our obedience and submission to Allāh, for time is limited. Remember the ones who prayed with us in the last 'Eid Prayer and ones who have now passed away. We will certainly join them one day. Do not therefore be tricked by the life of this world in which happiness does not last. Death spoils the people's pleasure. Therefore, consider this world a place of work toward the hereafter. As Allāh says concerning the pursuit of Paradise:

“And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for) these, their striving shall surely be accepted.”

[Al-Isrā' 17:19]

And Allāh says:

“And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty.”

[Al-Hijr 15:99]

Allāh states that our obedience and submission must be constant and continuous. So hasten to do good deeds before you regret your negligence and failure to act. No one could delay their death until the time they choose to submit and obey Allāh. Ibrāhim submitted, Isma'il submitted, Hajar submitted, and now we must submit. What are we waiting for? This is the message of Hajj; this is the message of 'Eid. We have heard the message. It's time to submit.

And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

[Via Islam online December 26, 2006]