By Priya, MuslimMirror.com
Eid al-Adha, a festival commemorating Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son as a sign of faith and submission to God not only reminds us of the similarities between Islam and Christianity, but also highlights their differences.
Let’s begin with the similarities. Firstly, in both religions the story of Abraham and his son represents an example of renunciation to material gains to come closer to the Lord. Secondly, both in Islam and in Christianity the issue of human sacrifice poses a moral dilemma. Thirdly, both religions see Abraham as a man of God, and his act of devotion as the ultimate demonstration of faith. Abraham is a model of both spiritual and moral conduct. Having said that, there are fundamental differences between Islam and Christianity when it comes to Abraham’s sacrifice.
Isaac or Ishmael? According to the Bible, it was Isaac who was sacrificed; according to Islam, it was Ishmael. Islamic scholars see contradictions in the way the Bible was transcribed. According to Islam, Isaac was not even born at the time of the sacrifice.
The role of the son: According to the Bible, Isaac did not play an active role in his father’s decision to sacrifice him. On the other hand, Islam gives Ishmael a proactive role. He himself was as willing as his father to comply with the will of the Almighty. He himself was a firm believer and a model of faith and human conduct.
Human sacrifice: The holiness of human sacrifice in Christianity is not only central to the episode involving Abraham, but to story of Christ himself. Christ’s death to redeem human sins is the ultimate selfless human sacrifice. In Islam, Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael shows the opposite: the Almighty does not require such human sacrifice. During the ritual slaughter of the animal in Islam one not only pays homage to Abraham’s faithfulness, but also to the Almighty’s mercy for substituting Ishmael with a ram.
Animal sacrifice: It comes as no surprise that the different narratives regarding sacrifice in Christianity and Islam produce different religious practices. Animal sacrifice is central to Islam, while it is unheard of in Christianity. Christians are reminded of the idea of sacrifice during the Eucharist, when the symbolic body and blood of Christ are blessed. But no actual sacrifice is performed. Christ has replaced ritual sacrifice. In Islam, on the other hand, the actual animal sacrifice remains important. Slaughtering an animal is central to how Eid al-Adha is celebrated in India and throughout the Muslim world, and it has multiple significances: it shows devotion to the Almighty, it demonstrates human willingness to give up material gains, and it provides food to the underprivileged. Sacrifice in Islam is not a mere symbol, it is an actual practice that serves multiple purposes.
Sacrifice in the community: The slaughter of the animal in Islam has, among others, the function of strengthening community ties and feeding the poor. The fact that 2 thirds of the slaughtered animal are offered to family, friends and the underprivileged is not an unimportant detail. Animal sacrifice not only serves to remember Abraham and thank the Almighty, it shows a willingness to give up material benefits and be a responsible member of the community. A good Muslim submits himself to the willingness of God, but also leads a moral family and community life.
In conclusion, the role of sacrifice is central in both Christianity and Islam. In both religions, sacrifice brings closer to God because it reverses the rules of the material world: sacrifice requires renunciation with no immediate or obvious material outcomes; it requires faith and effort. However, there are fundamental differences between the narratives of sacrifice in Christianity and Islam, those differences account for the fact that the practice of slaughtering an animal for Eid al-Adha is exclusive to Islam.
Priya blogs at The Indian Rose.
Good exercise in research and well written.
But there are many layers in the understanding from Islamic perspective.
Prophet Abraham did not immediately get ready to sacrifice his then only son Ishmail borne in his old age, he tried to reason out some other explanation for his recurring dream.
He was no ordinary prophet, but “Father of believers of Abrahamic faith” and the Hajj is a pilgrimage practice started by him and his son and also commemorates his wife Hagar’s sincerity and faith.
When his dream kept recurring, he discussed with his son young Ishmael–who was wise enough to understand what Almighty God was testing his “friend”/Khaleel for; he realised hesitancy on part of his father out of love–and reassured him that he was willing to carry out God’s wish.
Ishmael also probably guessed that since God has no needs, so probably was only testing both of them–who were Prophets and would be followed till Judgement day in the sacred ritual of annual international Hajj.
So God knew that ultimately a ram would be sacrificed and not Ishmael; Ishmael himself probably had guessed it and Abraham was just overwhelmed with the enormity of his test; but he was prepared to sacrifice his dearest son to comply with his recurrent Godly visions–once he had removed all doubts about it and supported by his son’s willingness.
And Almighty Allah knows best!