Muslims told to imitate Ibrahim in facing crisis
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Millions of Muslims throughout the country packed mosques for Idul Adha prayers and handed over sacrificial cattle and goats on Sunday in solemn and peaceful observance of the annual Day of Sacrifice.
On this day Muslims across the globe celebrate their victory against evil as shown by the Prophet Ibrahim and his wife Hajar, who were ready to give up their only son Ismail for God.
A Muslim preacher says Ibrahim's obedience of God's order to sacrifice Ismail carries a noble message to people facing hardships.
"One message is that life is an endless trial for those of faith," Lukman Thahir was quoted by Antara as saying in his Idul Adha sermon at Darussalam Grand Mosque in Palu, Central Sulawesi.
He said all human beings experienced problems, such as those experienced by Ibrahim centuries ago.
"In the case of the Prophet Ibrahim, we see how God challenged his family to prove their true faith by ordering him to slaughter his son," he added.
Lukman, who is a lecturer at the Dato Karamah State Islamic Institute in Palu, said people face temptation everyday but they need to be patient and have faith.
Those with powerful positions in society should refrain from misusing their power through corruption, collusion and nepotism, for example, he added.
"What is most important is that we should seek God's approval for every one of our deeds," Lukman said. "If we can maintain this, we will become like Ibrahim and his family, who succeeded in facing their trials," he added.
Lukman said another message embodied by Idul Adha was that in order to be successful in life and to be closer to God, people should stop behaving like animals and rid themselves of immoral ambitions, greediness and lawlessness.
"Slaughtering animals symbolizes that we are required to kill our animal instincts," he added.
The preacher said Idul Adha should inspire people to be ready to make sacrifices if they want to achieve their goals in life.
Similarly, another preacher Abdul Latief told a Idul Adha congregation in Jambi province that the history of Ibrahim and his family represented the sincere dedication of Muslims to God almighty
The symbolic meaning of Idul Adha should serve as a guideline for Indonesian Muslims, he added.
"We can have different opinions but should remain united and cohesive," said Latief from the Sultan Thaha Syaipudin State Institute of Islamic Studies in Jambi.
In Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Muslim scholar Bukhari Daud said Ibrahim's sincerity in sacrificing his son should set an example for all national leaders.
Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail were sincere in accepting and carrying out God's instruction, and they eventually managed to pass their challenges against Satan," he said.
In Jakarta, preacher Muhammad Siddiq said, that as one of the world's largest religions, Islam was not a religion of violence.
"Islam is a long way from violence. If ever there was an idea that Muslims followed that direction, it was simply the incrimination of western countries panicked over the development of Islam in the world," he was quoted by Antara as saying in his Idul Adha sermon at Cut Meutiah Mosque in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
He said that most Muslims at present believed that "love" was the only way to get closer to the Creator.
Meanwhile, Muslim scholar Atho Mudzhor urged the nation to take into account the importance of brotherhood.
"As we are getting closer to the elections, a sense of brotherhood is needed," he said in his sermon at Istiqlal Mosque, Central Jakarta.
"We should remember that whatever the results of this year's general election, we have to keep and protect the integrity and sovereignty of the Unitary State of Indonesia," Atho added.
The Idul Adha prayer was attended by President Megawati Soekarnoputri. The President was accompanied by her husband Taufiq Kiemas, and Vice President Hamzah Haz who later handed over cows to be sacrificed.