Bilal and Amna are neighbours and good friends. Today Bilal has come over to Amna’s place to play, but he seems to be upset. Let’s read to know the reason!

“Assalamoalaikum, Bilal! How are you?” Amna enquires.

“Walaikum assalam. I am alright,” Bilal answers.

“No something’s wrong, you seem upset. Doesn’t he, grandpa?” Amna asks her grandpa who is sitting close by.

He looks at the children and then pulls a chair and sits beside them and asks, “What’s wrong, little boy? Amna is right. You do look sad.”

“Hmm … perhaps yes. I am very sad. See Eidul Azha has just passed and everyone got cows, goats or camels to sacrifice on Eid. However, these animals were so expensive that my parents could not afford them this year,” Bilal explains.

“That’s okay! But remember we had fun playing with the goats and cows and I also brought meat for you, like always,” Amna reminds Bilal of the fun time they had together.

“No! It’s not about playing with animals. It is just the feeling that I couldn’t celebrate Eid this year! I wore new clothes because my parents asked me to, but it was useless to wear them because did not do any sacrifice this year!” Bilal says as tears run down his cheeks.

Amna seems confused.

“Bilal, who said you cannot celebrate Eid if you do not sacrifice animals?” asks grandpa.

“Because this Eid was all about animals and sacrificing them and distributing their meat amongst others and we could not do so,” replies Bilal dejectedly.

“Hmm… so this Eid is about sacrificing animals only and not just about the concept of sacrifice itself? Is that what you kids think?” asks grandpa.

Both Amna and Bilal look at each other nodding in confusion, then grandpa holds their hands.

“Yes, we sacrifice animals on Eidul Azha, but that is only a symbol of the real incident that happened long ago. We Muslims do so out of love for Allah Almighty. However, this does not mean that this alone is what sacrifice constitutes.

“Eidul Azha is a day to celebrate any sacrifice you make for Allah and Allah wants us to be humble and kind, sacrifice our little wishes or things to bring happiness to everyone around us.

“He watches our actions and intentions, and not the money or size of the sacrifice. Any sacrifice that you make throughout the year just to obey His commands, reaches Him and Eidul Azha is a day for us to remember those sacrifices, thank Him for giving us the ability to do acts which make us submit to His will, and then celebrate and enjoy the day with our loved ones.

“Tell me some examples of how you two can sacrifice something throughout the year?”

“Oh… I know! Do you remember grandpa, when mum had a fever and headache last week, I did not turn on the television that day so that she could rest well without any distraction? Will this count?”

Grandpa answers, “Yes, my love! This was a very sweet gesture of yours.”

“Umm… so if I see an old lady or man standing on the bus and I get up from my seat to give them a place to sit, is that a sacrifice that I’ll make?” asks Bilal.

“Well, if you really wanted to sit and you leave your seat without anyone asking you to do so, then yes, my boy, that will be one fine sacrifice you will make. Making a sacrifice does not mean that you need a lot of money or need to sacrifice an animal. Anything that you do out of love and humility for others, selflessly, is a sacrifice and Allah appreciates it all!” grandpa replies joyfully.

“However, keep one thing in mind... always keep your sacrifices a secret. Your sacrifices should be a sacred thing between you and God. You should never announce any kind deed that you do to anyone, because then you become proud of it and that is not a sign of care and humility. Do you understand this?”

Bilal and Amna quickly nod in agreement. Their eyes light up as they realise the true meaning of sacrifice.

“Thank you, grandpa, I wish I would have talked to you earlier,” says Bilal as both the kids gave a warm hug to grandpa.

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 6th, 2024