This weekend we celebrated Eid Al Adha, the festival of sacrifice, in the UAE and across the Islamic world. In some countries across the region – Egypt for example – cows and sheep are often slaughtered in the street and the meat is directly distributed among family members and, largely, to the poor.
While you might think this is pretty gruesome, it helps us to remember exactly what this feast is about (and it is not having the malls open for 24 hours a day).
The act of keeping an animal for a few days and then slaughtering it commemorates the trial of the Prophet Ibrahim who was ordered by God to sacrifice his son Ismail. The act also symbolises our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us, or close to our hearts, to follow God’s commands.
While this is a key tenet to the Islamic faith, if you think about it sacrifice should really be part of everyone’s lives.
Aren’t we taught from an early age to share with our peers and siblings? Isn’t it correct etiquette to always offer the guest in your house the lion’s share of the food? And what about the heroes and heroines in most stories, movies or novels – don’t they always win our hearts by sacrificing something they hold dear?
This Eid it would do us all good to remember the blessings in giving up some of our own bounties to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need.
We can do this with material things. For example, we can give to charity or maybe donate an Eid gift to a less-fortunate child. We could also give our time and spend a day volunteering with one of the UAE’s many organisations, or even visit an elderly friend or family member who you know would be pleased to see you.
One thing that I recommend is letting go of grudges and to forgive. For some people reading this, that may seem like the biggest sacrifice of all – to forgive someone who has hurt or wronged you. It may feel like you are giving up a part of yourself, like you are doing yourself a disservice by allowing that person to get away with it. But a wise person once said: “When you forgive, you don’t change the past, you change the future.”
Stubbornness, hateful thoughts and the desire for revenge are toxic emotions and will actually end up hurting you more than the person you are directing them at.
So why not think about making that sacrifice and setting yourself free?
For Muslims, the sacrificial slaughter of an animal on Eid Al Adha shows a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives to stay on the straight path and we also need to remember to forgive, as it is directed for us to do in the Quran.
The Prophet Mohammed was also said to forgive everyone in his heart every night before he slept.
Whatever sacrifice you make this Eid, search inside yourself and realise that, in truth, giving something up can actually make you more complete.
aseaman@thenational.ae