By: Abid Ali Khan
Eid al-Adha is one of Islam’s most revered religious festivals, deeply rooted in faith, obedience, selflessness, and sincerity. It commemorates not only Prophet Ibrahim’s (A.S) unwavering submission to the Divine command but also Prophet Ismail’s (A.S) exemplary willingness and sacrifice. Through the ritual sacrifice of animals, we renew the memory of this profound event in human history—an emblem of complete devotion and the ultimate offering for the sake of Divine pleasure. In Islam, the true purpose of sacrifice transcends the mere slaughter of animals. It is about purifying the heart, awakening piety (taqwa), and placing the command of Allah above one’s personal desires. The Qur’an articulates this essence in the following verse:
“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is the piety from you that reaches Him.”
(Surah Al-Hajj: 37)
Jurisprudential Perspective: Worship is Founded on Intention In Islamic jurisprudence, sacrifice is a financial act of worship that becomes obligatory upon every Muslim who possesses the prescribed wealth (nisab). Shariah outlines specific conditions regarding the choice, age, health, and proper method of slaughter. However, the cornerstone of this act remains the sincerity of intention. Without genuine intent, no worship is accepted in the sight of Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated:
“Actions are judged by intentions.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
If a sacrifice is performed for worldly recognition, social status, or fame rather than seeking Divine pleasure, it ceases to be worship and becomes an act of ostentation (riya). The Prophet ﷺ also warned:
“Ostentation is a form of minor shirk (associating partners with Allah).”
(Musnad Ahmad)
Such acts, though outwardly pious, hollow out a person’s faith from within, tainting the soul with spiritual arrogance and hypocrisy. The Sufi View: The Real Sacrifice Is of the Self From a Sufi perspective, the essence of sacrifice lies not in slaughtering an animal but in subduing one’s ego, desires, arrogance, and materialism. Unless a person sacrifices their “nafs” (ego/self), the act of sacrifice remains incomplete. Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (R.A) said:
“True sacrifice is that which brings a servant closer to Allah—and one draws near to Allah only when one distances oneself from the nafs.”
Another Sufi master observed:
“The perfect sacrifice is not that which slaughters an animal, but that which also slaughters the heart’s love for the ego.”
A sacrifice performed for public display, according to Sufi standards, is nothing more than a manifestation of egoism, devoid of true spirituality. Modern Temptations: Social Media and the Contest of Sacrifices. In today’s digital age, even a sacred act like Qurbani (sacrifice) has fallen prey to the culture of social media exhibitionism. Prices, breeds, weights, and rare features of animals are flaunted with such fervor that the essence of worship is often lost to vanity and competition. Some social media posts seem less about faith and more like advertisements, promoting a “show-off culture.” This trend not only dilutes sincerity but also fosters societal inequality and feelings of inferiority.
Social Impact: Sacrifice or Social Stratification?
Such extravagant displays can be emotionally distressing for families who can barely afford a modest sacrifice. Children witnessing others sacrificing multiple cows or camels may develop a sense of deprivation. Thus, an act that should symbolize equality, fraternity, and compassion, begins to reflect social division and class disparity. The foundation of Islamic worship is to unite hearts, not to break them. If our sacrifice leads to someone feeling ashamed, envious, or disheartened, it’s time we reevaluate both our intentions and our methods. The Hallmarks of True Sacrifice True sacrifice is to give up that which one holds dearest, solely for the pleasure of Allah—just as Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) and Prophet Ismail (A.S) did. Their sacrifice was silent, pure, and a sublime example of submission. They neither made a spectacle of it nor invited an audience; they simply bowed to the Divine will with unflinching sincerity. Today, we must strive to rediscover the soul of this sacred act. Let us examine our intentions, shape our practices in the mold of sincerity, and turn sacrifice into a means of spiritual refinement—not an opportunity for likes, shares, or social validation. Refrain from promoting your Qurbani on social media Teach children the spiritual meaning behind the ritual Focus on the Sunnah and true philosophy of sacrifice in sermons and discussions Prioritize distributing meat to the poor, orphans, and needy Celebrate sincerity over size or cost of the sacrifice
Qurbani is an act of worship, not a spectacle.
The sincerity of intent, humility of heart, and presence of piety are what render this offering acceptable in the eyes of Allah. If we reduce this noble act to a mere ritual or public display, its soul will perish—and we may end up sharing meat, but not attaining Divine closeness.
Let us pledge this Eid al-Adha:
To perform our sacrifice with sincerity and simplicity
To avoid pride, ostentation, and showing off
To dedicate our worship solely to Allah—not the world
May Allah protect us from hypocrisy and grant acceptance to our sacrifices, intentions, and deeds in His Divine court.
Ameen
