Why Do We Follow The Rituals Blindly
About Eid al-Adha- Festival of the Sacrifice
How can killing of an animal, or a human being for that matter, be justified in the name of God?
Can we call ourselves sane and intelligent living beings if we really think that killing an innocent creature will please God?
Sometimes, I am just this far from an outburst after listening to the length and breadth of human stupidity. It is hard to fathom how some people really lack basic rational and emotional intelligence. As they say, common sense is not that common.
So, what is Eid Al-Adha or Eid Al-Zuha?
Eid al-Adha is the culmination of hajj ceremonies (pilgrimage) in Minā, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, although Muslims around the world celebrate them. It is also known as the festival of the sacrifice.
During the event, families that can allow themselves to sacrifice an acceptable ritual animal(sheep, goat, camel or cow) will do so and then share the meat among themselves, impoverished people, friends and neighbours alike.
Origin of the Sacrifice Festival
‘Bakrid’ traces its origins back to 4,000 years ago when Prophet Abraham saw Allah in his dreams instructing him to sacrifice something that he loved the most. After giving much thought, Abraham decided to sacrifice his son Ismael (it is said that at that time Abraham had only one son).
Reluctantly, on the next day, he took his son Ismael to Mount Morea to sacrifice him on the altar to show his love for Allah.
As he was about to kill his son, pleased with this act, Allah sent a ram and told Abraham that he has proved his love to Allah and need not sacrifice his son anymore and could instead offer the ram as a sacrifice.
The takeaway from this parable is to sacrifice what one loves the most because that is the thing that one is attached to the most.
The takeaway from this parable is to sacrifice what one loves the most because that is the thing that one is attached to the most.
What does Prophet himself has said
According to Quran, 22:37 verse,
It is not their meat nor their blood (of the animal) that reaches God; it is your piety.
One Hadith quotes Prophet Muhammad as saying
A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being
So, how can we selectively choose to follow something said by Allah in Prophet Abraham’s dreams and comfortably ignore the direct proclamation by Prophet Muhammad himself.
Why Fast or sacrifice
Even I hold fast as a way of worship to God. When I asked my parents and scholars about the reason of fasting, I got to know that it not only helps our body physically and mentally, as science has now proved it, but the concept of fasting started as an offering, obeisance to God.
To show God how much we love him, we sacrifice eating that thing which we are most attached to, for one day. Well, real fasting would be applicable to not only the changes in our dietary habits but also to how we speak and behave.
But, the crux behind all of this is to teach us how to get rid of attachments. For we know, attachment is the root cause of every suffering.
But, the crux behind all of this is to teach us how to get rid of attachments. For we know, attachment is the root cause of every suffering.
Where we, as human beings, are going wrong
The problem with us, as human beings and not as a Hindu, a Muslim, or a Christian ,etc. is that we take words too literally and miss the whole point. We get so fixated with God’s word that we almost completely overlook what it is that God wished to convey with his words, and what the actual intention was.
The most important message is mostly hidden between the lines.
Also, we do not take into account two most important things:
- The words or the teaching of the God has been passed down the ages orally for so many decades. It is only natural that some of the meaning is lost in the transmission.
- The language used at that time was so different to what is used today. Even a work published in French when translated to English lose some of its essence and fragrance. It is but natural that the word of God pronounced centuries ago have lost its meaning and relevance in translation.
Conclusion
As I have said in my other post as well, we all are spiritual human beings first and then a Hindu, Muslim, or a Christian, etc.
We, as human beings, need to start applying a little bit of common sense to everything we do and all the things that we are told to do and see happening around us and question and reflect on them critically. We don’t have to follow all the rituals, traditions blindly.
I have no disrespect or hatred towards any religion or any of its customs and rituals, I just want us to ask what is the reason behind these rituals and if due to change in circumstances and changing times if we have to change our approach and thinking towards it.
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