Eidil Adha

Haroon Mosque  Eidil Adha 1433

Brothers and Sisters,                                Friday October 26^th. 2012

          Hajj demonstrates the essence of Islam - the true religion believing in Allah Alone.  All the ceremonies and places the pilgrims have gone to rehearse a great deal of history of Tawheed, or believing in Islamic Monotheism.  Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime. The Prophet (Sal) said, "He who performs (Hajj) with no obscenity or evil practices will come out as a newly born baby - free from all sins." (Bukhari & Muslim)

          This day, many thousand years ago, Prophet Ibrahim (As) sacrificed his only son to fulfill his loyalty to Allah Alone and the same day Allah (Sub) saved Prophet Ismail (As) life, instead a ram was provided for the sacrifice. 

      

Surah Al-Hajj  22:37….It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him…

          On this day of Eid Al-Adha, the pilgrims select Ismail for sacrifice.  His Ismail can be anything that is causing an obstruction for him to reach Allah. It can be wealth, job, rank, power, lust, greed.  Anything that is dear to him as Prophet Ismail (As) was to Prophet Ibrahim (As). We are also sacrificing an animal, bear in mind that we are in fact, sacrificing that dearest thing in our life and telling Allah (Sub) that: “Anything dearest to me in life, will not hinder me from reaching You and acquiring Your pleasure.”

                
The essence of throwing pebbles is to disconnect with Satan.  We have to follow the path of Prophet Muhammad (Sal) in order to stay away from the footsteps of Satan.  Remember his visit to Taif, in the early years of Islam.  He went there to try to save the people from worshipping idols and to worship Allah Alone. But they drove him out of Taif and left him injured and bleeding. The angel of mountains appeared and offered to destroy the city of Taif in an earthquake. “No, no! he (Sal) pleaded. “Don’t destroy them. Perhaps their children will one day accept my message.”    That’s the kind of merciful example we must follow. Perhaps the children of today’s Islam haters will be sitting amongst us.  Anything is possible for Allah! Don’t let our anger lead us into Satan’s footsteps.   We cannot defend Islam by burning flags, temples.

Surah As-Saff 61:8 They intend to put out the Light of Allah (i.e. the religion of Islam, this Quran, and Prophet Muhammad SAW) with their mouths. But Allah will complete His Light even though the disbelievers hate (it).

        
Allah can defend His religion. The history of Islam shows that many Islam’s worst enemies became the most outstanding Muslims.   Umar ibn al Khattab (Rd) was on his way, sword unsheathed, to kill Prophet Muhammad (Sal). When he heard the opening verses of Surah Ta Ha, his heart melted and he became an outstanding Muslim as the second Caliph and conqueror of Jerusalem.    Amr ibn al As (Rd) wanted the King of Abyssinia to return the Muslims to Mecca where they were being persecuted. Later Amr accepted Islam, within 2 weeks he led Muslim armies to conquer Egypt.  Khalid bin Walid (Rd) fought against Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Uhud and later led the Muslims to conquer Roman and Persian armies.  Allah knows, what we do not know. We should stop behaving like judge or executioner. Remember that Allah is the best of planners.

Surah Al-Imran 3:32 Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW)." But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers.

          Turn controversy into an opportunity to share Islam with others. Tell our non-Muslim neighbors, friends about Prophet Muhammad (Sal). Tell them how he transformed a band of uncivilized community into a nation of civilization.  Tell them how he established women rights, caring the weak and showed kindness even to his enemies.  He was courteous to people of other faiths.  And most importantly, make sure that we get to know our own Prophet well. 

Surah Al-Maidah 5:3…“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”…

          Prophet Muhammad (Sal) would take one route to the place of worship and took another route while returning to meet and wish relatives and friends along the way.  And we also should exchange Salaams among us. May Allah strengthen our Muslim relationships and improve our conditions in our communities and our countries too.