The animal sacrifice performed during Hajj and Eid al-Adha is, in fact, akin to devoting oneself to the divine mission at the level of sacrifice. It is, indeed, an external manifestation of an internal spirit.
The purpose of settling Hajar and Ishmael in the desert in such a manner was to produce a new generation. The urban settlements of that time were deeply entrenched in a polytheistic culture. Anyone born in that environment would inevitably be influenced by polytheistic beliefs. Consequently, understanding the message of monotheism was difficult for them. Hajar and Ishmael were settled according to a plan, in the remote desert, far away from civilized cities. This was done so that in the natural surroundings, their descendants could be raised, free from the influences of polytheism—a generation that would be entirely untainted by polytheistic conditioning. Through procreation generation after generation, this process continued until the nation of Ishmael came into existence.
Within the same nation, in the year 570 CE, the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib, was born. In 610 CE, God Almighty appointed Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a prophet. Following this, he started the mission of monotheism. Among the descendants of Ishmael, he found those precious individuals who are known as the Companions of the Prophet. With the support of this strong team, he accomplished something unprecedented in history. He carried the call of monotheism forward, advancing it from the intellectual phase to the stage of revolution.
The worship of Hajj is a rehearsal of the great dawah plan set in motion by Prophet Abraham. It can be seen as a reenactment of that very plan. During the specific dates of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims from all corners of the globe come together, reliving the historic event involving Prophet Abraham and his descendants.
In this manner, Muslims worldwide renew their commitment each year to faithfully follow this exemplary model established by the Prophets, according to their circumstances, in every era, they will continue the practice of inviting others towards God, ensuring its continuity until the Day of Judgment.
In this act of Abraham, sacrifice occupies a central position. The spirit of sacrifice is indispensable for its successful performance. To ensure the continuity of this spirit of sacrifice, Muslims across the globe perform the sacrifice of animals at their respective locations and during the time of Hajj. They perform this sacrifice on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, and pledge to keep this spirit alive by making God a witness to their actions. The animal sacrifice performed during Hajj and Eid al-Adha is, in fact, akin to devoting oneself to this divine mission at the level of sacrifice. It is, indeed, an external manifestation of an internal spirit.
Human beings possess five senses. Psychological research has revealed that when a situation engages all of a person’s senses, it has a more profound impact on his mind. Merely contemplating the spirit of sacrifice in an abstract manner does not leave a lasting impression. Animal sacrifice serves as compensation for this limitation.
When a person willingly engages in the act of animal sacrifice, with the sincere intention to dedicate oneself to the divine cause, all of his senses are actively involved. He thinks with his mind, sees with his eyes, hears with his ears, touches with his hands, and after the sacrifice, he also tastes it. Through this complete sensory engagement, he grasps the essence of sacrifice at a deeper level. He becomes capable of fully embracing the spirit of sacrifice, which becomes an integral part of his being.
