7 Friday Sermons in Late May 2026 on the Wisdom of Sacrifice and Tasyrik Days

Friday Sermon #1: The Wisdom and Basis of the Sacrificial Ritual

Friday Sermon #2: Sacrificial Ritual and Social Concern

Friday Sermon #3: The Wisdom Behind the Command to Sacrifice

Friday Sermon #4: Eid al-Adha: Emulating Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) Sacrifice

Friday Sermon #5: Cultivating Empathy and Social Solidarity Through Sacrifice

Friday Sermon #6: Sacrificial Ritual and Eradicating Stinginess

Friday Sermon #7: Sacrifice as a Symbol of Human Equality

Tomorrow marks the last Friday of May 2026, coinciding with the second day of Tasyrik, the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah. Preachers can leverage this unique occasion to deliver relevant sermons.

What are Tasyrik days? According to the book ‘The Mighty Secrets of Universal Energy’ by M Ghofur Khalil, Tasyrik refers to the three days following Eid al-Adha, namely the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah.

During these Tasyrik days, Muslims must observe certain prohibitions, such as fasting. There are also recommended sunnah practices that should not be missed.

In addition to the Tasyrik days, Friday sermons focusing on the wisdom of sacrifice are particularly relevant, especially as tomorrow’s Friday falls within the permissible days for animal sacrifice.

Such topics can be addressed by preachers during Friday sermons. Not only do they remind Muslims of their duties, but they also educate them on the nuances, bringing them closer to the Prophet’s teachings.

Friday Sermon #1: The Wisdom and Basis of the Sacrificial Ritual

Esteemed Friday congregants, may Allah’s mercy be upon you. Let us increase our piety towards Allah. Obey His commands and avoid His prohibitions. Piety is the best preparation, safeguarding us in this world and the hereafter.

May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH). May we be among those who follow his footsteps.

Esteemed Friday congregants, may Allah’s mercy be upon you.

One manifestation of piety is the sacrificial ritual. This is a noble Islamic symbol, rich in faith, teaching obedience and fostering a spirit of sacrifice. Sacrifice is not merely a ritual; it brings us closer to Allah and strengthens communal bonds.

The sacrificial ritual has a solid foundation, with historical and textual evidence. Historical evidence stems from the practices of previous nations, reinforced by the Quran and Hadith. The story of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail is the primary example. Allah states in Surah As-Saffat, verse 102:

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَى ۖ قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِي إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ

’When the boy reached the age of exertion, [Ibrahim] said, “My son, I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you. What do you think?” He replied, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient.” [QS. As-Saffat: 102-107].

This story is rich in wisdom. Prophet Ibrahim obeyed Allah, willing to sacrifice his beloved son. Prophet Ismail submitted to Allah’s command, ready to give his life. Their obedience was extraordinary. Allah replaced Ismail with a great sacrifice, marking the origin of the sacrificial ritual.

The Prophet (PBUH) emphasised this in a Hadith. Narrated by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Majah from Zaid bin Arqam:

قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا هَذِهِ الْأَضَاحِيُّ؟ قَالَ: سُنَّةُ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۖ قَالُوا: مَا لَنَا مِنْهَا؟ قَالَ: بِكُلِّ شَعْرَةٍ حَسَنَةٌ

’They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is this sacrifice?” He replied, “It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim.” They asked, “What is our reward?” He said, “For every hair, there is a good deed.”

With this Hadith, the historical evidence is valid and accepted as confirmed by the Quran and Hadith.

Esteemed Friday congregants, may Allah’s mercy be upon you.

Textual evidence is clear. The Quran commands sacrifice. In Surah Al-Kawthar, verse 2, Allah says:

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ

‘Pray to your Lord and sacrifice.’ [QS. Al-Kawthar: 2].

This verse is concise yet firm. Prayer and sacrifice are acts of gratitude and obedience to Allah. In Surah Al-Hajj, verses 34-35, Allah states:

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكًا لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ۚ فَإِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُوا ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ

‘For every nation, We have appointed a ritual that they may mention Allah’s name over the provision He has given them from livestock. Your God is One God, so submit to Him. Give good news to the humble.’ [QS. Al-Hajj: 34-35].

This verse explains the purpose of sacrifice: to remember Allah, demonstrate submission, and strengthen faith. In Surah Al-Hajj, verse 36, Allah adds:

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُمْ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللهِ

‘We have made the camels part of Allah’s symbols.’ [QS. Al-Hajj: 36].

From the Hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) was explicit. Narrated by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Majah from Abu Hurairah:

مَنْ وَجَدَ سَعَةً فَلَمْ يُضَحِّ فَلَا يَقْرَبَنَّ مُصَلَّانَا

‘Whoever has the means but does not sacrifice should not come near our prayer place.’

This Hadith is a stern warning. Sacrifice is obligatory for those who can afford it. The Prophet (PBUH) also said, as narrated by Imam Ahmad from Jubair ibn Muth’im:

كُلُّ أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ ذَبْحٌ

‘All Tasyrik days are days of sacrifice.’

Esteemed congregants, may Allah’s mercy be upon you.

Sacrifice teaches three key values. First, obedience. Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail are exemplary, giving everything for Allah. Second, self-sacrifice. Sacrifice trains us to relinquish what we love for Allah and goodness. Third, compassion. Sacrificial meat aids the poor and needy, strengthening Islamic brotherhood and creating shared joy.

Sacrifice also purifies the soul. It eradicates selfishness and stinginess, drawing the heart closer to Allah. Every drop of sacrificial blood carries reward. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

بِكُلِّ شَعْرَةٍ حَسَنَةٌ

‘For every hair, there is a good deed.’

Let us understand sacrifice correctly—not merely slaughtering an animal, but improving our hearts, increasing faith, and spreading compassion.

Esteemed Friday congregants, may Allah’s mercy be upon you.

Eid al-Adha is approaching. Let us welcome it.