Interpreting the Proposition of Sacrifice in the Quran & Hadith

Sacrificial worship is one of the important teachings in Islam. The proposition of sacrifice has been explained in the Qur’an and hadith. In Islam, the command to sacrifice comes from the evidence of Prophet Abraham’s love and obedience to Allah Almighty. Prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice Prophet Ismail, until finally Allah replaced the slaughter of Prophet Ismail with sheep. 

The form of Prophet Abraham’s example provides many lessons that we must model and interpret. Behind this historical event is a proposition of sacrificial worship in the Quran and hadith that we should learn and interpret. Let’s look at some postulates for the virtue of sacrifice.

The Proposition of Sacrifice Based on the Quran

  1. Sacrificial worship manifests love for Allah SWT greater than things in the world

ayat kurban

In Surah Aṣ-Ṣāffāt Ayat 102, Allah commands Prophet Abraham (AS) to slaughter Prophet Ismail. As a parent, it never occurred to Prophet Abraham (AS) to do this. However, supported by piety and greater love for Allah Almighty, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was willing to slaughter his son. The sacrificial service teaches us all the meaning of the example of Prophet Abraham who loved Allah Almighty more than worldly pleasures. Worldly things such as having abundant possessions, children, and wives are willing to be abandoned or sacrificed based on a great love for Allah SWT. Like us in the world, we must be able to resist excessive worldly love and surrender to His commandments.

  1. Sacrificial worship manifests piety to Allah SWT

In the Quran, Allah Almighty says, “Then pray for your Lord and sacrifice!” (QS. Al-Kautsar: 2). Allah wants His servants to increase piety and draw near only to Allah. Muslims are always consistently reminded to worship and practice sacrificial worship (ibadah kurban). In their daily practice, may Muslims remember Allah SWT by being more diligent in worship, staying away from the prohibitions of Allah SWT, diligently saving money to buy sacrificial animals, and becoming pious individuals.

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  1. Sacrificial worship is a form of obedience to the commands of Allah SW

ibadah kurban

The proposition of sacrifice is based (Q.S. Al-Ḥajj: 34) as a reminder of Muslims that Allah wants His servants to always be obedient and submit to His teachings. Especially for Muslims who slaughter sacrificial animals to remember Allah Almighty and surrender to Him. God truly desires His people to take sacrificial services seriously and interpret them. May we be part of the people who always obey the commands of Allah SWT by carrying out sacrificial services. Aamiin.

The Proposition of Sacrifice Based on Hadith

“Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sacrificed with two fat goats and horns. I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) put his feet on the shoulders of the goat, then the Prophet (peace be upon him) read basmalah, takbir and slaughtered with his own hands.” (HR Bukhari).

The Prophet gave the Prophet by carrying out the command to sacrifice solely for Allah Almighty. As Muslims, we always emulate the behavior taught by the Prophet of Allah. Slaughtering sacrificial animals will give us meaning that every human being must sacrifice what they have and as a symbol of servitude to Allah SWT. Allah Almighty accepts the proof of our righteousness by slaughtering sacrificial animals intended to worship Allah and observe the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah.

Interpreting the Proposition of Sacrifice in Daily Life

ibadah kurban

After understanding the various propositions of sacrificial worship through the Quran and hadith, we must practice it in our daily lives to increase our piety to Allah SWT. The following are behaviours that we must defend as Muslims:

  1. Increasing spiritualism in worship, one of the postulates of sacrifice

The sacrificial service has many deep philosophies related to the evidence of the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham’s love for Allah SWT. If we interpret the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) so great, it can increase spiritualism in worship. We always remember that the nature of a servant is to love Allah SWT, not to be too enslaved to property, position, and increase righteousness to Allah SWT.

  1. Increase patience

Can we imagine how much patience Prophet Ibrahim (AS) had when he received the command from Allah Almighty to slaughter his own beloved son? Allah SWT will always test the patience of a servant. If we interpret sacrificial worship, there is a spirit of patience that we should model as Muslims, in carrying out His commands. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) gave us concrete proof of how to have extraordinary patience. Hopefully, we can emulate the patience of Prophet Abraham (AS).

  1. Increase love for others

Sacrificial worship is not limited to proof of a servant’s love for Allah SWT but a real act of caring for others. The slaughter of sacrificial animals will benefit people with low incomes who have rarely eaten meat because of its high price. They often feel hungry, and on this Eid al-Adha, they can rejoice and get sustenance. The benefits of sacrificial worship are not only in the form of rewards that we will pursue but benefits that we can give to the surroundings.

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Sacrificial worship gives us meaning in spiritualism and benefits the surroundings. In carrying out sacrificial worship, it takes intention, sincerity in managing finances to allocate funds for sacrifice and sincerity in worship. Can’t wait to donate sacrificial expenses? Come on, realize sacrificial worship through the Dompet Dhuafa institution. You can share cows or goats with your family or friends! Click here (di sini ) to make your sacrificial Service a reality this year.