Agra: Khateeb of Masjid Nahar Wali, Sikandra, Mohammad Iqbal, while addressing worshippers during the Friday sermon, highlighted the true essence and purpose of sacrifice in Islam. He said that the sacrifice of an animal is only symbolic, while the real sacrifice is the sacrifice of one’s “nafs” (ego, desires, and inner self). The grand gathering of Hajj and its various rituals serve as a powerful example of this message.
He stated that at every stage of life, a person needs to sacrifice their selfish desires and control their inner temptations. The ritual of throwing pebbles at the Jamarat is also symbolic, carrying the message that one must similarly drive away Satan and evil influences from one’s life.
Mohammad Iqbal further said that just as Muslims sacrifice animals in obedience to Allah’s command, they must also strive to follow Allah’s commands in every aspect of their lives. Unfortunately, he noted, people have forgotten the true message of sacrifice and limited it only to the slaughtering of animals. As a result, most attention is now focused on lavish meals and hospitality, while the deeper spiritual message of sacrifice has been neglected.
He said that the Holy Quran describes this as a “great sacrifice.” Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) demonstrated unparalleled obedience to Allah’s command, and Allah made this tradition a lasting practice for humanity until the Day of Judgment.
Khateeb Mohammad Iqbal emphasized that if a positive transformation appears in our lives after Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha, then it should be understood that our worship and sacrifices have been accepted by Allah Almighty. He described this as the true standard for measuring the acceptance of one’s acts of worship. He urged people to shape their lives according to the commands of Allah so that they may attain the true benefits of worship.
