Introductions:
Hajj is an annual Pilgrimage that is the fifth pillar of Islam, which is obligatory for every Muslim who has sound finances and health conditions once in his lifetime. Muslims perform Hajj and Umrah for blessings and spiritual gains. Hajj is a worship that brings all the teachings of Islam together. One of the significant teachings of Islam is patience and sacrifice.
Hajj greatly emphasizes the significance of sacrifice. You can know the importance of sacrifice in Islam, that hajj is not complete without the act of sacrificing animals in the name of the Almighty, to memorize the important lesson of sacrifice for the sake of Allah Almighty. There are a variety of Hajj and Umrah Packages for people from the USA, you can visit Al Madinah Travel and select the package of your choice.
Story of Ibrahim (A.S):
The story of Ibrahim (A.S), Ismail (A.S), and Sara is the central theme of Islamic teaching of sacrifice. The purpose of adding animal sacrifice in Hajj is to remind Muslims of the important lesson of sacrifice and devotion for the sake of Allah’s will. This story is full of unwavering faith, obedience, devotion, and submission to the divine will.
This story begins with the dream of Ibrahim (A.S), which consists of the commandment from Allah Almighty, to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (A.S) for the sake of divine will. Ibrahim (A.S) was blessed with his only son at the age of 80, it was not a small test to submit before the commandments of Allah and sacrifice his beloved son for divine will. No one can sacrifice his beloved son that he got at the old age of eighty years, after lots of prayers. But it was the unshattered faith of Ibrahim, Ismail, and Sara that they decided to accept the will of Allah happily.
When Hazrat Ismail (A.S) presented himself before his father to sacrifice himself for the sake of Allah, Ibrahim (A.S) was about to cut the neck of his beloved son, while covering his eyes with a piece of cloth. So that he might not see his son while cutting his neck. When Ibrahim put the knife on the neck of his beloved son, Jibril (A.S) saved Ismail by placing a ram under the knife of Ibrahim (A.S).
In the symbolic reenactment of Ibrahim, Ismail, and Sara’s sacrifice Muslims perform the sacrifice (Qurbani) of animals. It is a rite and ritual during Hajj to sacrifice an animal with perfect age and health as prescribed in Hadith. Usually, sheep, cows, camels, and goats are sacrificed. This practice of sacrifice in Hajj is done on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah on the holy occasion of Eid ul Adha.
It’s not about Animal Sacrifice but Personal Sacrifice:
Human beings the crown of the creatures are sent to this planet to test them, either they choose the right path or the wrong path. Our nafs and seitan tempt us towards wrongdoings. We do lots of wrong things to fulfill our worldly purposes, neglecting Allah’s will. This sacrifice practice of animals is to remind us and to teach us that we should sacrifice our assets, belongings, wishes, egos, and all worldly gains for the sake of Allah Almighty’s happiness.
Monetarily Sacrifice:
The Hajj pilgrimage is full of sacrifice practices, first of all when you set on this holy odyssey, you spend your hard-earned money on this holy Pilgrimage. This is the first sacrifice you make for performing this worship. This reduces and removes love for money, and gives you happiness, tranquility, and peace by bringing you close to Allah in this world and the world hereafter.
Sacrifice of self Esteem:
Sacrifice in Hajj not only includes cutting and sacrificing animals for the sake of Allah, but it also involves sacrificing the ego and self-esteem before other fellow human beings. Muslims, before setting on the holy voyage of pilgrimage visit their relatives, family, and friends and ask them for forgiveness. For what wrong they did or said to them. This promotes brotherhood and removes egos. This is also a form of sacrifice in hajj, that is in the form of sacrifice of self-esteem.
Sacrifice of Pride and Worth:
There are different kinds of sacrifice in Hajj, shaving the head is the compulsory ritual of Hajj, and this ritual is to signify our nothingness before our creator. Head hair is considered a sign of pride, and shaving our hair indicates our humbleness before our Rab.
Secondly, during their stay in Mina, all of the pilgrims spend their night under the sky. Without beds in the camps. This involves the sacrifice of status and worth before Allah. People from all races, cultures, backgrounds, and sects stay together in these tents in the same way. This is to make them ponder their worth before their creator.
The Practice of Patience:
Hajj is a colossal gathering, and performing its rituals is not an easy game. Millions of Muslims are present, there is a lot of patience required to perform the circumambulation around the holy Kabba, find a place to kiss the Hijra e Aswad (the holy stone), touch the holy Kiswa, through the stones to the devil. It is not easy to perform any ritual of Hajj Pilgrimage. This all requires lots of patience and sacrifice in Hajj, you can please Allah if you push or scold anyone. Your real test and sacrifice here is patience and only patience. If you want to reach any place to perform your obligation, you will be reached there without any hassle with the help of Allah.
What is Sacrifice at the end of the Hajj?
Qurbani (sacrificing of animals) is the last step of the Hajj pilgrimage. Sacrifice at the end of hajj is performed on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, different animals like sheep, cows, and camels are sacrificed and their meat is distributed among pilgrims, to the poor, needy, and less fortunate
What ritual is performed at Hajj?
Tawaf of Holy Kabba seven times in an anticlockwise manner, Sai between Safa and Marwa, Jamarat (stoning to the devil), standing at the mountain of Arafat, spending the night in Mina, and sacrificing animals are important rituals of Hajj.
What is the method of Qurbani in Hajj?
Choose an animal as per criteria of age and health, from the prescribed animal, like it could be a sheep, cow, or camel. Slaughter it humanistic way. And use it personally, distribute it among family, friends, and needy and less fortunate people.
What is the purpose of all sacrifices?
The purpose of all the sacrifices during hajj is to please Allah and to find his will in this world and the world hereafter. These sacrifices strengthen our faith and release us from the material world, ego, worth, and pride. It gives us tranquility, peace, and spiritual gains.
Wrapping up the significance of Sacrifice in Hajj:
The significance of sacrifice in hajj is the central theme of this spiritual journey. This sacrifice in Hajj is to honor the devotion, unshattered faith, and obedience of Ibrahim, Ismail, and Sarah (A.S). This gives us the lesson of selflessness, generosity, and submission to Allah Almighty.
As a Muslim from the USA, who wants to set on the spiritual odyssey of Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage 2024 go visit Al Madinah Travel and have an unforgettable experience of this spiritual journey at the best affordable prices. Contact us.
