The true meaning of qurbani

Id-ul-Adha (feast of sacrifice) is not just an occasion for slaughtering animals. It is rather a three-daylong spiritual reminder of the true meaning of qurbani — sacrifice, submission and supplication to God, evoking deep emotions for the needy and hungry people. It offers Muslims an opportune time for serious reflection on the condition of the poor and the destitute, inculcating the spirit of caring for, and sharing with them.

Prophet Abraham’s deeper devotion and complete submission to the will of God are the core values that Muslims celebrate during this festival. Thus, they remind themselves of the Prophet’s willingness to sacrifice anything for the sake of God. Muslims sacrifice the halal (permissible) animals in remembrance of Ibrahim’s devotional sacrifice to God and distribute them to the poor who cannot afford their meals. However, animal sacrifice is not the core essence of this festival. God does not actually take pleasure in flesh and blood, as he says: “Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches him is piety from you.”

Therefore, this solemn occasion should not be confined to animal sacrifice; Muslims must opt for many other ways to express devotion to the will of Allah. Many virtuous and harmonious acts based on kindness and sharing tradition should be performed to achieve the noble objectives of Id-ul-Adha.

Among the various prophetic traditions (sunnats) relating to Id-ul-Adha are greeting and embracing the neighbours, hugging them when meeting or parting, visiting and comforting the sick, offering condolences to the bereaved, exchanging gifts and thus sharing joy and happiness with all means possible. Such acts that strengthen fraternity, brotherhood and charity are greatly valued on the day of Id-ul-Adha.

Id-ul-Adha appears to be a festival for a particular community. But in a broader sense, it is part of the universal celebration of social harmony.

Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi is an alim. He can be contacted

at: grdehlavi@gmail.com