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Page 1 of 2  This is the auspicious day of sacrifice. The day on which Hazrat Ibraheem (Alayhis-Salaam) was tested to sacrifice his beloved son, Hazrat Ismaeel (Alayhis-Salaam). To commemorate this event, Muslims have been directed to sacrifice animals on this day so that all Muslims can remember this incident and learn a lesson from it. Hence, this day, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah( higret month), is known as Eid-ul-Adha.
‘Eid al-Adha' is preceded by the glorious day of ‘Arafah and is one of the important days of Hajj. Among the main themes and messages of Hajj is submission and obedience to Allah. When we read about the remarkable stories of Prophet Ibraheem, Prophet Ismaeel, and Hajar, we witness extraordinary examples of obedience and submission to Allah, which is the core meaning of Islam. Actually, submission is the very meaning of the word "Islam".
So the meaning and essence of Islam are manifested in Hajj, which reminds us of our mission and purpose in life. ‘Eid Al-Adha' is a symbol of obedience. It signifies submission to Allah. On this day, we commemorate together the acts of obedience and submission performed by Prophet Ibraheem and his family when he was commanded to take Hajar and their son Ismaeel to an uninhabited, barren, distant land and leave them there alone. He submitted and obeyed. When Hajar realized what was happening, she cried out, "Ibraheem! Are you going to leave us in this valley where no people live?" She repeated the question yet she received no answer, so she asked him, "Did Allah order you to do this?" He replied, "Yes."
x  So she said, "Then Allah will not let us perish." Thus she submitted. Furthermore, when his son Ismaeel became older, Ibraheem received a command from his Lord to sacrifice him. He submitted and so did his son. The family of Ibraheem was a family of obedience and submission. They were tested and tried again and again, but the result was always submission and obedience. Both ‘Eid al-Adha' and ‘Eid al-Fitr come after performing a pillar of Islam and an act of obedience. Hence ‘Eid Al-Adha and ‘Eid al-Fitr are annual reminders that this life is a test and we must be obedient if we wish to be successful.
Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, social status, and culture are reminded and given the message: Surrender to Allah, submit to Allah. Are we hearing this message? Just as Prophet Ibraheem was tested throughout his life to see if he would submit or not, so will we be tested to see whether we submit to Allah's commands or refuse. Know that toils, struggles, and hardships will accompany our quest to obedience. But if we obey, we will be in the company of the likes of Prophet Ibraheem and his family in Paradise , as Allah says:
"All who obey Allah and the messenger shall dwell in the company of those whom Allah has favored with His Grace: the prophets, the sincere lovers of Truth, the martyrs, and the Righteous who do good. Ah! What a beautiful companionship!" (An-Nisaa' 4:69)
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