Hajj and Udhiya: Two Exceptional Actions
• Last Updated on July 15, 2021 @ 10:51 pm by Islaminlife Admin
For a Muslim Hajj and Udhiya (Qurbani) are two exceptional good deeds. They teach amazing lessons. The lessons have great innate wisdom. Average Muslims like us should make best efforts to realize the fact why Allah has provided us with such worships.
The foremost lesson is love for Allah Subhanu wa Taala. Another lesson is sacrifice for the ultimate Beloved, Allah Subhanu wa Taala. The mentality and mindset to pursue Allah’s love and make any sacrifice for His pleasure is NOT possible without being obedient to Him. We will be able to achieve all these feeling successfully when we become sincere believers. To become a sincere believer we need to follow the righteous people. People like Sayyeduna Ibraheem alaihis salaam. From this noble Prophet, the ritual of Hajj and Udhiya (Qurbani) has been made compulsory for this Ummah. These are the Sunnah or practices of Sayyeduna Ibraheem alaihis salaam commanded for the Ummah of the Last Prophet ﷺ.
The power of Allah’s love, sacrifice for Him, obeying Him, sacrificing for Him, doing all these with sincere believer and doing all these following the Prophetic footsteps is exceptionally high! Hajj and Udhiya (Qurbani) symbolize and portrays these facts altogether.
In one word, Hajj is an awe-inspiring worship. Udhiya (Qurbani) is the display of sincerity and ready-love for Allah. These inner matters link to the deep faithfulness of an obedient servant. Sayyeduna Ibraheem alaihis salaam did it in a stylish way – just as ordered by Allah! He got completely ready to slaughter and sacrifice his beloved son. His son was also very patient. Sayyeduna Ismail alaihis salaam, the son of Sayyeduna Ibraheem alaihis salaam assured his respected father that he is too ready to fulfill Allah’s command. How wonderfully has Allah described Sayyeduna Ibraheem’s noble work:
قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا إِنَّا كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ
Sura As Saffat: 105
Meaning: You (O Ibraheem!) have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, I thus reward the doers of good.
The Holy Quran’s wording is very broad. Allah Subhanu wa Taala is praising Ibraheem alaihis salaam’s good deed and also giving glad tidings to all the good-doers. All the praise is due to Allah!
It is only then possible for us, the Muslims, to perceive and really practice in this blessed way if our hearts are impacted by the lessons and teachings. They bear both matters of belief and matters of doings (deeds). It is shocking to see that majority of us have forgotten and lost the original purpose of these worships. Rather, a big number has just considered Hajj and Udhiya (Qurbani) traditional or customary programs. They have completely become unaware and unconcerned that these are commands of Allah, compulsory worships! Alas, we have underestimated such a crucial matter. May we become aware as soon as possible; may Allah save us. Aameen.
This is the Editorial of Zulhijja 1442 Issue of Monthly Islam In Life Magazine
