Some of you may have already made the decision to perform the qurbani ritual this year and have set aside your wealth in order to receive the rewards of qurbani. However, there may also be some of you who are experiencing a dilemma about whether to perform qurbani this year or to postpone it, because there are other needs that take priority. But, you still want to receive the rewards of qurbani. So, what should you do?
The Rising Cost of Basic Necessities
Often, as we grow older, our income increases, but so do the necessities that we need to prioritize in our daily lives, especially when the prices of basic commodities are rising. Quoted from dpr.go.id, not only is the price of cooking oil rising, but a number of basic necessities such as granulated sugar, chicken, beef, shallots, and garlic have also increased by 10-15% since the first week of Ramadan.
For young parents, our priorities are not limited to household needs but also extend to our children, especially those who will soon be starting school. Of course, they must prepare various necessities and costs for their children’s education. Therefore, it is undeniably important to prepare assets for our livelihood. However, some of you may have a desire to perform the sacrifice this year and are facing a dilemma about whether to listen to that desire or not after learning about the expenses required to purchase the sacrificial animal.
Nevertheless, let us reflect again, consciously or not, that life in this world is only temporary and we do not know which deeds will lead us to heaven before the Day of Reckoning. No one knows how much time we have left in this world except Allah SWT, and it would be a great loss if we did not make the most of it, especially as Eid al-Adha approaches.
The reward for sacrifice comes only once a year
Read also: Why Must We Make Sacrifices? You Should Know. Here’s the Explanation
The Eid al-Adha holiday is a blessing full of blessings for Muslims, a worship that has been eagerly awaited by Muslims from all walks of life. For those who are able to perform it, it is strongly recommended to do so. Allah SWT says:
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكًا لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الأنْعَامِ فَإِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُوا وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ
“And for every nation We have prescribed a ritual sacrifice (qurban) so that they may mention the name of Allah over the livestock He has provided for them. Your Lord is One God, so submit yourselves to Him and give good news to those who submit (obey) Allah.”
As exemplary Muslims, we should practice what has been prescribed by Allah SWT and they will receive His blessings, because indeed good news awaits those who perform the Qurban ritual. However, you only perform it once a year, so is it good to delay it and reject its rewards? It has been emphasized in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 148:
وَلِكُلٍّ وِّجْهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّيْهَا فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرٰتِۗ اَيْنَ مَا تَكُوْنُوْا يَأْتِ بِكُمُ اللّٰهُ جَمِيْعًا ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَد يْرٌ
“And every nation has a direction to which it faces. So race to the good. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together. Indeed, Allah is Powerful over all things.”
In our limited lifetime, it is not only our basic needs that need to be prioritized, but also our place in the hereafter, and there is only one way to ensure that we will be at the side of Allah SWT in the hereafter, namely by doing good deeds and carrying out His commands. So, is it right for us to only save for our worldly needs, what about our next life? Therefore, let us seize the opportunity to earn special rewards by drawing closer to Allah SWT through sacrifice.