Health is not only physical. Regardless
if we belong to a certain religion, there is an important dimension in our
wellbeing that we should take care of. It is the spiritual dimension.
Tomorrow is Eid-ul-Adha, a Holy festive celebrated by Muslims and Muwahhidun (Druze) in honor of Abraham's sacrifice of his own son for God. Whether we belong to Islam, Muwahhidun (Druze), or not, it is very enriching to learn from the wisdom and faith of each other in nurturing our spiritual health. For this purpose, let us have a closer look at Eid ul Adha and see what it has to reveal to us.
What is Eid-ul-Adha?
In the Quran, "Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and told him to sacrifice his son Isma'il. Just as Ibrahim was about to kill Isma'il, Allah stopped him and gave him a ram to sacrifice instead1".
The Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible2 also discuss the story of Abraham with few differences from that in the Holy Quran.
You might be asking yourself, "How come God asks Abraham to kill his son? Doesn't that negate our human rights?"
At the time of Abraham, offering your first son to serve God was mentioned in the law3 and in the Mosaic covenant4, and the sacrifice would be an animal. However, in Abraham's case, God wanted to test his faith.
How is Eid-ul-Adha celebrated? What is its spiritual meaning?
In this festive, Muslims are asked to perform the Holy Pilgrimage.
"And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah5".
For them, Eid-ul-Adha is a time to remember Abraham's obedience and sacrifice and, most importantly, contemplate about one's obedience to God. It is also a time when those who can afford will sacrifice an animal and share one third of it among the family, one third among friends and the other third with the poor. Donating money to the poor is also common1.
On the other hand, the Muwahhidun (Druze) do not have the Pilgrimage obligation. For them, this holiday is "a celebration of God’s act of mercy" and "a reminder that materialism is an obstacle to entering the presence of God". It is a time to focus more on the deeper, long-term goals than on the short-term pleasures. It is a time to evaluate one's contribution to the community's benefit and appreciate God's blessings. It is a reminder to "cultivate truth, forgiveness, and love" in one's life6.
The Jews and Christians do not officially celebrate this holiday. Nevertheless, they consider Abraham a remarkable example in faith and obedience to God.
Reflections inspired by Eid-ul-Adha:
Below are few thoughts that we can reflect on during this Holy Eid:
- Am I aware of my spiritual needs?
- Am I taking time to reflect on my life, my decisions, and my actions?
- Am I frequently told that I am selfish?
- Am I proactively listening and responding to the needs of others and those of my community?
- Am I sacrificing my health and entire life searching for money and immediate pleasures to later spend the money on regaining my health?
On a final note, HINT wishes every Muslim Eid Mubarak and the Muwahhidun (Druze) “Inshallah bitkunu min al-ayyadin al-maqbulin wa EID Mubarak alaykum6".
Happy Eid.
References:
1. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/e/eiduladha.asp
2. Torah and Holy Bible: Genesis 22
3. Torah and Holy Bible: Exodus 34:30 and Numbers 18:15
4. Torah and Holy Bible: Exodus 22:29
5. Surat Al-Baqarah verse 196
6. http://www.druzeworldwide.com/EidAlAdha.html
Tomorrow is Eid-ul-Adha, a Holy festive celebrated by Muslims and Muwahhidun (Druze) in honor of Abraham's sacrifice of his own son for God. Whether we belong to Islam, Muwahhidun (Druze), or not, it is very enriching to learn from the wisdom and faith of each other in nurturing our spiritual health. For this purpose, let us have a closer look at Eid ul Adha and see what it has to reveal to us.
What is Eid-ul-Adha?
In the Quran, "Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and told him to sacrifice his son Isma'il. Just as Ibrahim was about to kill Isma'il, Allah stopped him and gave him a ram to sacrifice instead1".
The Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible2 also discuss the story of Abraham with few differences from that in the Holy Quran.
You might be asking yourself, "How come God asks Abraham to kill his son? Doesn't that negate our human rights?"
At the time of Abraham, offering your first son to serve God was mentioned in the law3 and in the Mosaic covenant4, and the sacrifice would be an animal. However, in Abraham's case, God wanted to test his faith.
How is Eid-ul-Adha celebrated? What is its spiritual meaning?
In this festive, Muslims are asked to perform the Holy Pilgrimage.
"And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah5".
For them, Eid-ul-Adha is a time to remember Abraham's obedience and sacrifice and, most importantly, contemplate about one's obedience to God. It is also a time when those who can afford will sacrifice an animal and share one third of it among the family, one third among friends and the other third with the poor. Donating money to the poor is also common1.
On the other hand, the Muwahhidun (Druze) do not have the Pilgrimage obligation. For them, this holiday is "a celebration of God’s act of mercy" and "a reminder that materialism is an obstacle to entering the presence of God". It is a time to focus more on the deeper, long-term goals than on the short-term pleasures. It is a time to evaluate one's contribution to the community's benefit and appreciate God's blessings. It is a reminder to "cultivate truth, forgiveness, and love" in one's life6.
The Jews and Christians do not officially celebrate this holiday. Nevertheless, they consider Abraham a remarkable example in faith and obedience to God.
Reflections inspired by Eid-ul-Adha:
Below are few thoughts that we can reflect on during this Holy Eid:
- Am I aware of my spiritual needs?
- Am I taking time to reflect on my life, my decisions, and my actions?
- Am I frequently told that I am selfish?
- Am I proactively listening and responding to the needs of others and those of my community?
- Am I sacrificing my health and entire life searching for money and immediate pleasures to later spend the money on regaining my health?
On a final note, HINT wishes every Muslim Eid Mubarak and the Muwahhidun (Druze) “Inshallah bitkunu min al-ayyadin al-maqbulin wa EID Mubarak alaykum6".
Happy Eid.
References:
1. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/e/eiduladha.asp
2. Torah and Holy Bible: Genesis 22
3. Torah and Holy Bible: Exodus 34:30 and Numbers 18:15
4. Torah and Holy Bible: Exodus 22:29
5. Surat Al-Baqarah verse 196
6. http://www.druzeworldwide.com/EidAlAdha.html
