Here’s How Eid-ul-Azha Turns Into A Showoff Parade Instead Of An Islamic Practice

With Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner, it is safe to say that the festivities on this auspicious religious holiday will be celebrated all across the world, especially in Muslim countries like Pakistan.

The religious practice of sacrificing an animal is done in the honor of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S), who willingly on the order of Allah Almighty, was ready to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (A.S).  That is what Islam asks from us, to sacrifice from the heart, in the name of Allah.

Over the last decade, in Pakistan, the trend of Eid-ul-Azha sacrificing has all but changed. It is not about sacrificing in the name of Allah (SWT) from the heart anymore, hitherto, it seems that everybody is locked into a race of who can sacrifice the best and priciest animal, said to be in the name of Allah.

Instead of performing their obligatory religious duty, people of Pakistan tend to go out of the way and their pockets to sacrifice the most expensive animal. It is nowhere written in the Holy Quran or Prophet Muhammad (SAW)’s teachings that you must sacrifice the most high-priced animal in the name of Allah, who doesn’t want your money, but wants your commitment and willingness to spend in his name.

Source: vuhelp.net

Source: vuhelp.net

The scenario is self explanatory. A person buys a bull for Rs. 7 lakh. The bull will be able cater 7[portions. Instead, if the same person bought goat and sheep for the same amount, he would be able to distribute a dozen times more. The point here is simple: if you’re sacrificing in the name of Allah, to feed the poor who worship Him, why must you make it a matter of your own pride? Is your costly sacrifice more important than Allah (SWT)’s Razah?

The concept is simple. Instead of getting into a battle of who can buy the most expensive animal, the battle should be of who can feed more people in the name of Allah, which too should be done without burning a hole in one’s pocket. Some people, just for the sake of showoff, bury themselves in loans which they repay over the year.

Source: wonderfulpoint.com

Source: wonderfulpoint.com

After all is said and done, nobody remembers who sacrificed what. Every single person who sacrifices in the name of Allah (SWT) ends up being content in the heart, except for the person who instead of sacrificing in the name of Allah (SWT), wanted to show off his monetary possession and bank account.

Let us try and change the trend and the mindset. Let us try to change the Draconian concept of Eid-ul-Azha where people turn the religious festivity into a competition of who can buy the best and most valuable animal. Let us, this Eid, sacrifice in the name of Allah and Allah only.

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