In the ancient land of Mesopotamia, amidst the bustling city of Ur, there lived a man named Ibrahim. Ibrahim was not an ordinary man; he was chosen by Allah to be a prophet, a guide for his people.
Ibrahim’s heart was pure, his faith unshakable. He spent his days in prayer and contemplation, seeking to understand the will of Allah. One night, as he lay in deep slumber, Ibrahim received a divine vision.
In this dream, he saw himself standing on a barren hill, his beloved son Isma’il by his side. A voice, powerful and resolute, echoed through the darkness.
“يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ” (Quran 37:102)
“Ibrahim,” it said, “take your son, your only son Isma’il, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him as a sacrifice to me.”
Ibrahim awoke with a start, his heart heavy with the weight of his dream. Could it be a message from Allah? Trembling, he sought solace in prayer, seeking guidance and understanding.
“When he reached the age of running with him, he said,
‘يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ‘ (Quran 37:102)
‘My son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. What do you think?’ He said, ‘Father, do as you are ordered, and Allah willing, you will find me one of the steadfast.'”
When dawn broke, Ibrahim knew what he must do. With unwavering faith, he approached his son Isma’il and shared the vision that had troubled his sleep. To his amazement, Isma’il, though young, showed a depth of faith and understanding beyond his years.
“To every community We have made their actions seem fair. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them of what they used to do.”
“كَذَٰلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِم مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ” (Quran 6:108)
Together, father and son set out on a journey to the land of Moriah. The path was long and arduous, but their hearts were filled with a sense of purpose and determination.
As they reached the appointed place, Ibrahim built an altar, his hands shaking with emotion. Isma’il stood by his side, his eyes filled with trust and love for his father and for Allah.
“And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said,
‘يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ‘ (Quran 37:102)
‘O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.’ He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.'”
With tears streaming down his face, Ibrahim raised the knife, ready to fulfill Allah’s command. But before he could strike, a voice rang out from the heavens, clear and unmistakable.
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” “وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ” (Quran 37:107)
“Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision. You have shown your willingness to sacrifice that which is most dear to you. But know this: it was never my intention for you to harm your son. Your faith has been tested, and you have proven yourself worthy.”
As Ibrahim lowered the knife, a ram appeared, its horns caught in a thicket nearby. With grateful hearts, Father and Son offered the ram as a sacrifice in place of Isma’il, a symbol of their obedience and submission to the will of Allah.
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” “وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ” (Quran 37:107)
From that day forward, Ibrahim and Isma’il were blessed by Allah, their faith unwavering, their bond unbreakable. And the story of their sacrifice became a lesson for all believers, a reminder of the importance of trust, obedience, and submission to the divine will.
“And We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a prophet, one of the righteous.”
“وَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِإِسْحَاقَ نَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ” (Quran 37:112)
And so, every year, Muslims around the world commemorate the sacrifice of Ibrahim and Isma’il during the festival of Eid al-Adha, offering prayers and sacrifices of their own, as a testament to their faith and devotion to Allah.
