RELIGION + LOVE
THE LOVE LESSONS of Eid al-Adha...
by Sabah el Fizazi
June 16th, 2025
I believe stories FROM Muslims ABOUT Islamic topics are more important THAN EVER. We can’t cure islamophobia, but we can try to BEAT it! For this reason, the next story is dear to MY HEART, it’s about Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. Eid al-Adha takes place on the tenth day of the last month of the LUNAR calendar.
The reputation of Eid al-Adha isn’t doing well in the PUBLIC eye. Most people believe it is all about KILLING sheep. Or let me put it like this, Eid al-Adha became THE BLACK SHEEP of our celebrations. While the message behind this day is one of HUMANITY, charity and true unconditional LOVE.
“EID AL-ADHA BECAME LIKE THE BLACK SHEEP OF OUR CELEBRATIONS.”
Dream
It all started with A DREAM. The PROPHET IBRAHIM (aka Abraham), who devoted his whole life to the ONE true GOD, received a message in his dreams. He was ordered by GOD to sacrifice his SON; Ismaïl (aka Isaac). Like every father Abraham LOVED his son, but because HE loved his CREATOR more he OBEYED.
Lesson 1: The Almighty comes before everything. Never get too attached to anything or anyone, because if you lose it, you won’t be able to survive
When ISMAÏL was told about the dream, he reminded his father that GOD WOULD NEVER LET THEM DOWN and urged him to obey GOD. Eventually, GOD replaced Ismaïl with a RAM from HEAVEN. On the DAY of Eid al-Adha, Muslims REENACT this moment and SACRIFICE a ram to worship the One GOD. By doing so MUSLIMS acknowledge that the Almighty is THE OWNER of all that we possess.
Lesson 2: Give charity during the days before Eid al-Adha
Charity
The nine days BEFORE Eid al-Adha, Muslims are urged to give CHARITY. This might be as simple as giving A SMILE to a stranger or CUDDLE a child. Often people feed the POOR and support ORPHANS (in their homeland). Some of my inner circle helped building WATER WELLS or pay off DEBTS people have. Also, during this time it is important TO VISIT family, friends and help NEIGHBORS. WE are reminded that those small deeds are much LOVED by GOD.
Lesson 3: Share your wealth like you share your sacrifice
Sharing is caring
Muslims divide the sacrifice into three parts, as our PROPHET MOHAMMED (pbuh) said: “A third you can eat from. A third you give to family and friends. And a third dedicate it to the poor.” This concept goes also for our wealth outside of Eid al-Adha, we need to SHARE from whatever we HAVE.
The whole intention behind Eid al-Adha is to become A BETTER PERSON, and to improve the personal RELATIONSHIP with THE ALMIGHTY and with EVERYONE around us. It is a reminder that we are all BROTHERS AND SISTERS no matter what color, rank or religion one has. And it’s for this reason that I LOVE this day.