Stories from the quran
the story of the prophet ibrahim and his son ismael
the sacrifice
It is not doubtful that faith and creeds get stronger when it is tested and well passed. The self must reach a point of extreme that it may lose valuable things only because it holds tight on what it deeply believes. This is what happened with the prophet Ibrahim, may Allah be pleased with him, Allah gave him a mind-blowing test. Allah said in His Quran, Surah Al-Mulk, Aya 1, ”He may test you which of you is best in deed” (لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلٗاۚ), so this is the reason behind each test. The prophet Ibrahim had a message vision that he is slaughtering his son, his apple of his eyes. It was to test his devotion and submission to Allah, and the prophet Ibrahim knew this fact once he saw this vision.
This test was not only meant to be for the prophet Ibrahim but also the prophet Ismael was tested. The prophet Ibrahim told his son about this vision, and he submittingly answered his father with approval of the him being slaughtered. Allah said in Surah Al-Saffat, Aya 102 ”And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, 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”. Not only the prophet Ismael’s belief was not shaked for inches, but also he patiently accepted Allah’s Command. Allah continues the story and says ”And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Abraham, You have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial.” Definitely this was a tough trial, no one can ever think of killing his son and sacrificing him for the sake of anything, but that what makes a person a prophets.
Allah gives vow to human beings that whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure, Allah will stand by him. Allah knows our weakness and despair, so He gives us such a promises to fill our hearts with tranquility and peace when it gets so difficult. The prophet Ibrahim and his son were not left alone, as Allah was watching them how they will do through this harsh test. Allah saved the prophet Ismeal from being slaughtered. Blindfolded and with the knife in his hands, he did as Allah asked of him. He did so as he did want to see his son slaughtered, when Ibrahim (as) removed his blindfold, he saw that by the divine grace of Allah (swt) Ismail (as) was safe beside him, and a ram lay in the place of his son. He got worried that something went wrong, and he did not obeyed Allah as he was supposed to do. But he heard a voice telling him that Allah looks after his followers and that he need not worry.
The wisdom of udhyiah in islam?
Offering Udhiya (sacrificial animal) is an established sunnah to show gratitude to Allah and in commemoration of the sacrifice of the prophet Ibrahim when Allah ransomed the prophet Ismael with a great sacrifice. When the prophet Muhammed was asked was asked about the sacrifice, he said “It is the sunna of your forefather Ibrahim.” The companions asked, “What benefit is there for us in it?” He replied, “A reward for every hair on the skin of the sacrificed animal.” They asked, “And for animals with wool?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “A reward for every strand of wool” [Bukhari]. May Allah help and guide us to follow the sunnah of the prophet Mohammed and the prophet Ibrahim.
To read the first part of the story, please click here
