Eid al-Adha is just around the corner, with only a few days left to count on your fingers. Therefore, some of you may already have made a firm decision to sacrifice animals for Eid al-Adha in order to get closer to Allah SWT. However, among you, some may still be hesitant after seeing the prices of sacrificial animals, which require significant expenses, even if you are able to afford them. But did you know that there are still many out there who have never experienced the joy of Eid al-Adha?
Read also: 5 Virtues of Sacrifice on Eid al-Adha
The Importance of Sharing the Joy of Eid al-Adha
Many Muslims are hindered not because of a lack of desire, but because of circumstances that make it impossible. Among them are those who can only enjoy meat once a year during Eid al-Adha, and in their daily lives can only eat rice with whatever side dishes are available, such as sugar water—simply sugar mixed with water—due to difficult circumstances.
Some of them live in farming villages, but they rarely have the opportunity to eat meat. When Eid al-Adha arrives, they can only sacrifice one cow for the entire village. There are many factors that contribute to this, one of which is the extreme difficulty of accessing these remote villages.
Are we just going to stand by and do nothing for them? Doesn’t Allah SWT teach us to help one another? Although wealth is a basic necessity for daily life, let us remind ourselves that wealth is a gift from the Almighty. Allah SWT says:
آَمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَأَنْفِقُوا مِمَّا جَعَلَكُمْ مُسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ فَالَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَأَنْفَقُوا لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ
“Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend of that which He has made you stewards. Those of you who believe and spend (some of their wealth) will have a great reward.” (QS. Al Hadiid: 7)
Therefore, as Muslims who have devoted themselves to the teachings of Islam, we must use the wealth that has been given to us by Allah SWT as recommended, namely by extending a helping hand to our friends in need.
The blessings of Eid al-Adha only come once a year, namely abundant rewards and forgiveness of sins for those who sacrifice and give blessings to the poor and needy. Indeed, the sacrifice on the day of Eid al-Adha is the most beloved act of worship to Allah SWT, and it would be a great pity to miss it. This is confirmed in Surah Al-Kautsar verses 1-3:
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَۗ – ١ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْۗ – ٢ إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ ࣖ
“Indeed, We have given you (Muhammad) many blessings. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice (as an act of worship and to draw closer to Allah). Indeed, it is those who hate you who are cut off (from Allah’s mercy).”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also said in a sahih hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Imam al-Hakim from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him):
عَنْ َأبِي هُرَيْرَة: َأنَّ رَسُوْل اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ سَعَة وَلمْ يَضَحْ فَلا يَقْربَنَّ مُصَلَّانَا (رواه احمد وابن ماجه)
“From Abu Hurairah, ”The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, whoever has the means but does not sacrifice, then let him not approach (come near) our place of prayer,” (HR Ahmad and Ibn Majah).
Therefore, let us renew our intention to perform the sacrifice for those who are eligible to do so, for indeed there is no loss of wealth if we can draw closer to Allah SWT and spread goodness to others. Let us perform the sacrifice!