بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

 الحمد لله رب العالمين، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين. 

أما بعد، 

The way of Ibrahim (AS) teaches us that true sacrifice is not only about what we give—it is about what we are willing to surrender for the sake of Allah.

As Muslims around the world prepare to welcome Eid al-Adha, we are reminded of one of the greatest stories of faith, obedience, trust, and sacrifice in human history: the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his family.

Eid al-Adha is not simply a celebration marked by prayer, food, family gatherings, and the sacrifice of an animal. At its heart is a profound spiritual lesson—the lesson of Millat Ibrahim, the way and tradition of Ibrahim (AS).

Allah describes Ibrahim (AS) in the Qur'an:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

“Indeed, Ibrahim was a nation in himself, sincerely obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not among the polytheists.”
(Surah An-Nahl 16:120)

Allah also commanded the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

“Then We revealed to you: Follow the religion of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth.”
(Surah An-Nahl 16:123)

The way of Ibrahim (AS) was built upon sincerity, complete trust in Allah, obedience even when obedience was difficult, and a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Allah.

The Real Meaning of Qurbani

The word Qurbani is connected to the idea of drawing closer to Allah. The sacrifice we make during Eid al-Adha is therefore much more than the physical act of slaughtering an animal.

It is an opportunity to ask ourselves:

What am I willing to sacrifice for Allah?

Allah tested Ibrahim (AS) throughout his life.

He was rejected by his people. He was thrown into a fire. He was commanded to leave his wife Hajar and their infant son Isma'il in the barren land of Makkah. And then came one of the greatest tests of all—the command concerning his beloved son.

Allah tells us:

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ

“And when his son was old enough to walk with him, he said, ‘O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you, so what do you think?’ He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient.’”
(Surah As-Saffat 37:102)

This is one of the most remarkable moments in the Qur'an.

Ibrahim (AS) submitted to Allah's command, and Isma'il (AS) also submitted.

The father did not rebel against Allah's command.

The son did not rebel against Allah's command.

Both demonstrated complete submission.

And when they had submitted wholeheartedly, Allah provided a ram in place of Isma'il (AS).

Allah describes this as:

إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُ

“Indeed, this was the clear trial.”
(Surah As-Saffat 37:106)

The story teaches us that Islam means surrendering ourselves to Allah—even when our desires, emotions, or circumstances make obedience difficult.

Why Do We Mention Ibrahim (AS) in Every Salah?

There is a beautiful connection between Ibrahim (AS) and our daily worship.

In our tashahhud, we ask Allah to bless Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his family just as He blessed Ibrahim (AS) and his family.

We repeatedly say:

اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم

Why is Ibrahim (AS) given such a special place in our worship?

Because his life became an example of tawhid, trust, courage, patience, and submission.

Even as a young man, Ibrahim (AS) stood firmly against the false beliefs of his people. He challenged their worship of idols and demonstrated that these objects could neither benefit nor protect themselves.

His people responded with anger and attempted to punish him by throwing him into a massive fire.

Yet Ibrahim (AS) placed his trust completely in Allah.

His attitude was captured in the famous statement:

حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

“Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”

His trust in Allah was greater than his fear of the people.

That is the spirit of Millat Ibrahim.

Sacrifice What Comes Between You and Allah

Allah makes the purpose of Qurbani clear:

لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ

“Their meat and blood do not reach Allah, but what reaches Him is your taqwa.”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:37)

Allah does not need the meat or blood of the sacrifice.

What reaches Him is taqwa, sincerity, humility, and obedience.

This changes the way we should think about Qurbani.

The animal we sacrifice is an act of worship, but the deeper question is:

What else needs to be sacrificed in my life?

Perhaps we need to sacrifice:

• Our arrogance
• Our pride
• Our anger
• Our sins
• Our attachment to haram
• Our unlawful earnings
• Our addictions
• Our excessive attachment to material possessions
• Our ego when we know we are wrong

Qurbani gives us an opportunity to remember that sometimes the greatest sacrifice is not something we give from our hands—it is something we remove from our hearts.

The Lesson of Hajar: Trusting Allah

The story of Ibrahim (AS) cannot be understood without remembering Hajar and Isma'il (AS).

When Ibrahim (AS) left Hajar and her infant son in the barren valley of Makkah, she asked him whether Allah had commanded him to do this.

When Ibrahim (AS) confirmed that it was Allah's command, Hajar responded with remarkable faith:

“Then Allah will not abandon us.”

What extraordinary trust.

She could see the desert.

She could see the lack of water.

She could see the vulnerability of her infant child.

But she also saw something greater:

Allah's promise.

That trust eventually became part of the legacy of Hajj. The search for water between Safa and Marwah, the well of Zamzam, and the sacred city of Makkah are all connected to this remarkable family.

Hajar teaches us that trusting Allah does not mean that we stop making an effort. She ran between Safa and Marwah searching for help.

Tawakkul means trusting Allah while doing everything we reasonably can.

Qurbani and Our Families

The family of Ibrahim (AS) also teaches us about the responsibility of parents.

Ibrahim (AS) did not simply provide for his family materially. He raised them upon faith, submission, patience, and obedience to Allah.

Today, parents face an enormous challenge.

Our children are surrounded by influences from social media, entertainment, popular culture, and the internet. These influences can shape their values, priorities, language, relationships, and understanding of success.

Parents therefore have a responsibility to teach their children:

• Salah
• Qur'an
• Good manners
• Modesty
• Honesty
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Love of Allah
• Love of the Prophet ﷺ

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Our children's spiritual development cannot be outsourced.

Schools are important.

Teachers are important.

Communities are important.

But the home remains one of the most powerful places where faith is developed.

Qurbani Should Make Us More Generous

Qurbani is also a reminder to care for others.

The days of Eid should not be about ourselves alone.

There are families struggling with poverty. There are widows and orphans who need support. There are refugees and displaced families. There are Muslims around the world facing war, persecution, hunger, and hardship.

The blessing of Qurbani should reach others through generosity.

Give with dignity.

Feed people with kindness.

Share without making others feel that they are receiving charity.

The spirit of Ibrahim (AS) was never selfishness. It was submission, generosity, and service.

Make the Most of the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are among the greatest days of the Islamic year.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

These days should not pass like ordinary days.

We should increase our worship and make the most of this tremendous opportunity.

1. Increase Your Prayer

Protect the five daily prayers and make every effort to pray them on time and, when possible, in congregation.

Also increase voluntary prayers according to your ability.

2. Increase Your Dhikr

Keep your tongue busy with:

Tahlil: La ilaha illallah

Tahmid: Alhamdulillah

Tasbih: Subhanallah

Takbir: Allahu Akbar

3. Spend More Time with the Qur'an

Read more Qur'an during these blessed days.

But do not limit yourself to recitation alone. Reflect upon its meaning and ask how its guidance applies to your life.

4. Give Charity

Use these days to increase your generosity.

Support families in need, help your local community, and remember those facing hardship around the world.

5. Fast When Possible

Fasting during these days is a virtuous act, and fasting the Day of 'Arafah is especially encouraged for those who are not performing Hajj.

6. Repent to Allah

Make sincere tawbah.

Think about the sins and habits you need to leave behind and ask Allah for the strength to change.

Frequently say:

أستغفر الله وأتوب إليه

Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh.

“I seek Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him.”

The Spirit of Ibrahim in Our Time

The Ummah today needs the spirit of Ibrahim (AS).

We need courage when standing for the truth.

We need patience when facing trials.

We need sacrifice when faith demands it.

We need trust when circumstances are difficult.

And we need unity upon Islam.

The lesson of Eid al-Adha is not simply that Ibrahim (AS) sacrificed an animal.

The deeper lesson is that he was willing to surrender everything for Allah.

His life asks us a question:

What is holding you back from fully submitting to Allah?

Is it your ego?

A sinful relationship?

Money?

A habit?

Anger?

Pride?

Fear of people?

Love of the dunya?

Whatever stands between us and obedience to Allah is something we should be willing to sacrifice.

Follow the Way of Ibrahim

Allah says:

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ

“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice.”
(Surah Al-Kawthar 108:2)

Prayer and sacrifice are both acts of worship directed toward Allah.

As we celebrate Eid al-Adha, let us remember that the real spirit of Qurbani is taqwa.

Let us sacrifice our sins.

Let us sacrifice our arrogance.

Let us sacrifice our selfishness.

Let us sacrifice what distracts us from Allah.

Let us strengthen our families.

Let us care for those in need.

Let us increase our worship.

And let us strive to follow the example of Ibrahim (AS)—a man who trusted Allah completely and submitted to Him wholeheartedly.

May Allah accept our Qurbani, our prayers, our fasting, our charity, and our repentance.

May Allah grant us sincerity in public and in private.

May Allah make us among those who follow the way of Ibrahim (AS) with truth and submission.

May Allah bless our families and our children with strong faith.

May He relieve the suffering of Muslims around the world and bring peace, justice, and mercy to those facing hardship.

And may Allah grant us the ability to sacrifice whatever comes between us and Him.

Ameen, ya Rabb al-'Alameen.