What is sacrifice?

Assalamu’alaikum and Greetings! Hope that everyone is well and safe.

MashaAllah. This year we have been blessed with an opportunity to reunite with our love ones. Restrictions have been lifted and we get to strengthen our silaturrahim once more. Alhamdulillah ala Kulli Haal.

It was indeed refreshing! The feeling to walk with other Muslims to the mosque for Raya Prayer, praying shoulder to shoulder. Praising Allah in unison. The laughter we share at house gatherings. To meet the faces of new family members, who’s birth, we missed out due to COVID lockdowns. Embracing the ones who have been separated from us for far too long. These are the little things that we have been taking for granted.

These little things are what we have to sacrifice to ensure the safety of our family members. Sacrifice comes in all forms. It can be giving the last piece of biscuit that you have been saving, or risking your life to protect another. Sacrificing is about give something or part of yourself without having to think about your loss. Sacrifice of a father is to provide, to protect, and to guide the family. Sacrifice of a mother is to give live and risking hers, to love and nurture unconditionally. Sacrifice of a child to obey his parents, to protect his siblings, and to care for his elders. All these sacrifices, are Lillahi Ta’ala.

Nabi Ibrahim a.s was commanded to slaughter his son, Nabi Ismail a.s. It was a sacrifice that he had to make. Despite the disturbance from syaiton, he went through with what was commanded. In return of his sincerity and loyalty to Allah, Allah has switched his son to a sheep. SubhanAllah. Allah will only test you to bring you closer to Him.