The Symbol of Devotion to Allah: Sacrifice

We are all subjected to countless trials as human beings, we who have been given life with His grace and nurtured by His generous blessings. The most common subjects of these trials are our loved ones whom we cherish and hold close to our hearts: our children, family, and ourselves... In other words, what Ibrahim (alayhissalam) was tested with.

Allah Almighty put Ibrahim (alayhissalam) through a trial to show us his devotion and obedience as a good example. First, He put him to the test by not giving him a child. Ibrahim (alayhissalam) yearned for a child and prayed for a suitable successor who could guide people to the righteous path. He patiently bade his time for his heart’s desire to be fulfilled, but what he wished for did not come true. He was too old to have a child, his hair and beard had turned gray, and he was over eighty years old. One day, he took a vow: “If Allah gives me children, I am going to sacrifice the one I love the most for His sake.”

“Do not forget your promise”

After a time, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) gave him a son. He tells this in the Qur’an al-Karim: “(...My Lord! Bless me with righteous offspring. So, We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy.” (As-Saffat, 100-101)

However, Ibrahim (alayhissalam) forgot his promise as part of the trial he would face. Finally, this righteous son turned seven years old and reached the age where he could travel with his father. One day, Ibrahim (alayhissalam) had a dream in which he was told: “O Ibrahim! Did you forget your promise? Sacrifice Ismail!”

Suddenly, Ibrahim (alayhissalam) was startled. The trial was still going on. Prophets’ dreams are true and righteous, so he had to obey the command. Indeed, the task in front of him was excruciatingly difficult, but he surrendered to Almighty Allah without hesitation. He decided to tell his beloved son, Ismail (alayhissalam), about what awaited him. Even uttering the words, “I was commanded to sacrifice you,” was enough to make him shudder. He intended to say it many times, and every time, he said “Ismail…” but he could not bring up the rest of the words. Finally, one day he gathered his courage and said: “O my little son! I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So, tell me what you think?” (As-Saffat, 102)

Ismail (alayhissalam) understood this was a holy command from Almighty Allah. So he submitted to it and accepted it faithfully. Then he fondly looked at his father’s face and said: “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. You will find me, inshaAllah, (if Allah wills) one of those who endure patiently.” (As-Saffat, 102)

“Do as you are commanded”

This was the manifestation of faith. This was the zenith of submission. The father was commanded to sacrifice his son but, without hesitation, forged ahead with determination to obey Allah Almighty’s command. On the other hand, his son was showing absolute devotion and an excellent example of submission, so much so that he helped his father perform the holy command and said: “O my father! When you do what you are commanded, tie me tightly lest I cause any difficulties. Sharpen your knife to make death easy and slight for me. Be swift when you cut my throat so that it ends quickly for me, because death is grim and difficult. Make me lie face-down so as not to look at my face. Otherwise, you might see me, and your heart would soften, and this could stay your hand from what you have to do.”

In the Quran al-Karim’s words: “Then when they submitted (to Allah’s will), and Ibraham laid him on the side of his forehead (for sacrifice.)” (As-Saffat, 103)

Of course, what happened there and then is too far removed from our understanding of reality for us to imagine accurately. We do not and cannot know how the great prophet implored his Lord Almighty and what feelings filled his son's heart, who was also a prophet, lying there on the ground and waiting to be sacrificed. But we can understand the moral of this story; we are all subjected to countless trials as human beings, we who have been given life with His grace and nurtured by His generous blessings. The most common subjects of these trials are our loved ones whom we cherish and hold close to our hearts: our children, family, and ourselves... In other words, what Ibrahim (alayhissalam) was tested with. Our Almighty Rabb wants our hearts to be devoted only to His divine personage. Everything else will find its place beneath that divine love for Him, as a pittance that could easily be sacrificed for His sake when weighed against His commands. Here, we have a symbol of submission that reminds us of two prophets’ devotion: the act of sacrifice.

Returning to the story, Ibrahim (alayhissalam) started to go through with what he knew he had to do, but the knife refused to cut the flesh as if it was not tender skin in front of the blade but an iron plate. He sharpened his knife, again and again, but nothing happened. He thought that maybe his hand failed him or the knife didn’t have a sharp edge, so he tried cutting a stone, which split into two pieces. At that moment, he understood that something extraordinary was happening. Then, Allah the Most High spoke to him: “We called out to him, ‘O Ibrahim! You have already fulfilled the vision. Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers. That was truly a revealing test.’” (As-Saffat, 104-106)

Ibrahim (alayhissalam) withdrew immediately. He saw that Jibril (alayhissalam) was at his side with a ram. Then he told his son, who was still lying on the ground: “Stand up, son! There is a ransom here that has been sent down for you by Allah Almighty.” After that, he slaughtered the ram there, in Mina, as a sacrifice.

Salam be upon those who submit!

Allah the Most Merciful did not want to shed human blood. As stated in the ayah, this was just a trial. Father and son, the two blessed prophets, cleared the trial with peerless virtue and honor. To accentuate this, Allah the Exalted stated: “…and blessed Ibrahim (with the honorable mention) among later generations: (That mention is) Peace be upon Ibrahim. This is how We reward the good-doers. He was truly one of Our faithful servants.” (As-Saffat, 108-111)

Let’s pray and settle the purpose in our hearts that we may, with Allah's help, come out of our trials with commendable results. May our sacrifices be a means for achieving closeness to Allah (jalla jalaluhu).

Siraceddin Önlüer