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Ibn Kathir Tafsir of the Glorious Qur'an |
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Qurbaani: a
Subservient Submission
All praise is due to
Allah The Sustainer, and Protective Guardian of
humanity.May His
choicest blessings be upon our Master Sayyidina Muhammad and
upon his illustrious galaxy of Companions.
We once again
commemorate the heroic submission of Ibrahim and the valiant
compliance of Ismail u on this day of Eidul
Adha.
The life of Ibrahim
u serves as an epitome of faith, courage, and compassion.His conduct,
conviction, and submission are the vital traits patently
absent from a society characterised by its indifferent,
selfish, self-centered and voracious ethic.
"The Knife"
"It is neither the
flesh, nor the blood [of the animal] that reaches Allah, but
it is your Allah-consciousness that reaches Him."
The concept of
Qurbaani has a profound impact on, our lives.It is relevant today,
as it was in the day and age of Ibrahim u.The "Knife" as an
implement, has the potential to disconnect, remove, and
extricate. Qurbaani, is really a symbolic declaration to
sever, unfetter, cut off and dispense with extravagant,
self-centred ostentation. The "knife" needs to go beyond the
throat of the animal, it has to be placed onto the heart, and
sever the arteries that sustain sentiments of greed, hatred,
cowardice, hypocrisy, and malice. The melodies of the heart
have to ooze, out like blood that flows from the sacrificed
animal.Allah
needs neither the flesh nor the blood of the sacrificed
animal; He simply ascertains the "Knife" has to be placed on
the beast within you so that it may extricate the venom and
brute passion.
"The
Family"
When he left his
wife and infant son at the foot of mount Safa and Marwa, she
simply responded saying that: "He [Allah] will certainly
never leave us to perish." Likewise, when he concurred with
his son about the dream and its implication, his son responded
by saying: My beloved father, do as you have been
commanded! Allah-willing you will find me from among the
patient." What kind of relationship existed between husband,
wife, and son? How did Ibrahim u command such implicit trust
and dedication from his family? How did they so easily
identify with his values and purpose?
Demeanor!
Communication! Compassion! Three fundamental requirements
for the healthy development of a vibrant, happy, and healthy,
family. How often do you communicate, teach, and display love,
to those around you? Does your conduct warrant
emulation?
"The Submission"
"Verily my prayer, my
sacrifice, my very life, and death is for Allah The Sustainer
of the Worlds.He
has no partner, and with that (belief) have I been commanded,
and I am the foremost of those who submit."
The unparalleled
submission of Ibrahim, Hajira, and Ismail u lays the basis for
our relation with Allah.It highlights the need
to identify with the precept of "Divine Rights and Human
Obligations" No command of Allah can be made subject to
man-made laws.No
command of Allah can be measured against the benchmark of
common law. How consistent is the Qurbaani of Ismail, the
apparent abandonment of Hajira in the burning sand dunes of
Arabia with the incoherent concept of Human Rights and
Gender Equality?
"The
Consequences"
The courage,
determination, and faith of single women paved the history of
the desolate sand dunes of Arabia. The steadfastness of Hajira
u served as the foundation for the eventual establishment of
Makkah. The scorching thirst of an infant led to the
miraculous well of zam zam. What apparently
seemed to be a waste of human life gave rise to the annual
pilgrimage where millions of Muslims converge to pay homage to
Ibrahim
Too often, we stand
petrified of the thunder, oblivious of the potential rain it
brings.We forget
that dark clouds herald torrential rain.
The Law and workings
of Allah are perfect, full of wisdom and are premised on His
Mercy and Benevolence. What at first seems to be difficult, crude and
burdensome, may really be the beginning of lasting prosperity.
Allah says: "Perhaps you may dislike many a thing, whilst
Allah has placed abundant good therein." Qurbaani is
the very antitheses of subjective obedience or convenient
compliance.
May
Allah Ta'aala imbue our darkened souls with the true spirit
of Qurbaani - Ameen.
Islamic
Info
Source: Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)
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