Orient Islamic School pupils, from left, Humzah Mansoor, M Abdullah Amod, Yusra Desai, Hidaya Hussein, and Abdullah Paruk together with the editor and staff of the POST wish our Muslim readers and advertisers a blessed and joyful Eid-ul-Adha
Image: Supplied
Eid ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, a profound celebration in the Islamic faith that teaches the values of obedience, selflessness, and compassion, will be celebrated on Thursday (May 28).
Moulana Ridwan Bayat, of the Jamiatul Ulama KZN, said the festival celebrated by Muslims across the world, commemorated the remarkable devotion and submission of Prophet Ebrahim (Peace Be Upon Him) and his family to the command of the Almighty.
“Prophet Ebrahim (Peace Be Upon Him) was commanded by the Almighty in a dream to sacrifice his beloved son, Prophet Isma’eel (Peace Be Upon Him). Despite the immense emotional difficulty of this command, both father and son submitted wholeheartedly to the will of the Almighty.
“As Prophet Ebrahim (Peace Be Upon Him) prepared to fulfil the command, The Almighty replaced Prophet Isma’eel (Peace Be Upon Him) with a ram, thereby demonstrating that the true objective was not the sacrifice itself, but rather the sincerity, obedience and devotion behind it.
“This profound incident remains a timeless lesson for humanity. Eid-ul-Adha reminds us that true faith requires us to sacrifice our desires, pride, greed, sins and attachment to worldly distractions in order to attain closeness to the Almighty,” he said.
Bayat said eligible Muslims sacrificed animals on this day in commemoration of the sacrifice of Prophet Ebrahim and Prophet Isma’eel (Peace Be Upon Him).
“The meat of the animal is distributed among family, friends and the less fortunate, thereby promoting compassion, generosity and social solidarity.
“Beyond the outward rituals, Eid-ul-Adha carries a deeper spiritual message. It calls upon Muslims to reflect on their relationship with the Almighty, their commitment to righteousness and their responsibility towards humanity,” he said.
Bayat added that Eid-ul-Adha also coincided with the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj, during which millions of Muslims gather in the blessed city of Makkah.
“Regardless of race, nationality or social status, pilgrims stand united in worship, symbolising the universal brotherhood and equality taught by Islam. In a world increasingly affected by conflict, materialism and division, the message of Eid-ul-Adha remained as relevant as ever.
“It teaches selflessness over selfishness, obedience over arrogance and compassion over indifference. As we celebrate this blessed occasion, our hearts and prayers also turn towards those suffering across the world due to war, oppression, poverty, displacement and various calamities.
“We make sincere dua (prayer) that the Almighty grants relief, protection and ease to all those enduring hardship and suffering in any way, in places such as Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere in the world, including our own country, South Africa.
“May this Eid-ul-Adha inspire greater faith, unity, kindness and peace within our homes, communities and society at large,” he said.