Qurban: When God’s Will Takes Precedence
In a world increasingly placing humans as the measure of all things, Eid al-Adha presents a different message. Through the act of qurban, Islam teaches that not everything must submit to human desires. There are values that demand humans submit to their Lord.
Therefore, qurban is not merely a ritual of animal slaughter and meat distribution. Behind it lies lessons on devotion in worship, obedience to Allah’s commands, gratitude for His blessings, and compassion for others. These teachings have been passed down since the earliest days of the prophets.
The first story can be found in the tale of Prophet Adam’s two sons. The Quran recounts that both offered sacrifices to Allah, but only one was accepted. Islamic scholars explain that one offered his best, while the other presented what he deemed worthless. The latter performed the act merely to fulfill outward requirements, not as sincere worship.
This story shows that qurban demands sincerity and total commitment. What is offered to Allah should be valuable and cherished by the giver, not merely discarded leftovers.
Thus, when the Quran states that Allah only accepts deeds from the God-fearing (Quran 5:27), this piety is reflected in a servant’s willingness to give their best and prioritise Allah’s pleasure over personal interests.
The next lesson is even more profound in the story of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail. Here, qurban reaches its highest meaning: sacrificing what is most beloved.
What was tested in Ibrahim was not merely the courage to slaughter, but the ability to place love for Allah above all else. Remarkably, Ismail displayed the same obedience—no refusal, no bargaining, no attempt to find a middle ground with Allah’s command.
This is where one of qurban’s greatest messages lies. True obedience is not tested when Allah’s command aligns with human desires, but when a servant must choose between their own will and God’s. True submission means remaining obedient even when it requires sacrificing what is most cherished.
This lesson remains relevant in modern life. Religion is often understood only insofar as it aligns with personal preferences. When teachings are comfortable, they are accepted; when they demand sacrifice or disrupt interests, there is often a desire to adapt them to contemporary tastes. Qurban reminds us that not all values must yield to human will.
There are times when humans are called to submit to a higher will than their own.
Qurban’s meaning reaches its fullest form in the shariah brought by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. If Adam’s sons’ story teaches total offering and Ibrahim’s story teaches obedience and sacrifice, Islamic qurban legislation unites all these values while linking them to gratitude and social concern.
The Quran explains that Allah has subjected livestock for human benefit and commanded people to invoke His name over the provisions given to them (Quran 22:34). Thus, qurban is an acknowledgment that all blessings come from Allah.
The animal sacrificed, the wealth used to purchase it, and even the ability to worship are all gifts from Him.
Therefore, qurban is fundamentally an expression of gratitude. Through this act, a Muslim acknowledges they are merely recipients of blessings, while Allah is the Owner and Giver of all gifts. This awareness is reflected in the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer during slaughter: “Allahumma hadza minka wa laka” (O Allah, this is from You and for You). The sacrificed animal comes from Allah, the wealth to buy it comes from Allah, and the worship is done to seek His pleasure.
However, qurban’s legislation does not end at the individual dimension. The meat is shared with family, neighbours, and especially those in need. Here lies the beauty of qurban legislation. Piety does not remain a private spiritual experience but manifests as tangible compassion. Eid al-Adha’s joy is not monopolised by those who can afford to sacrifice but shared by all layers of society.
Moreover, qurban teaches that wealth is not life’s purpose but a means to attain Allah’s pleasure. It serves as an annual exercise to free humans from excessive material attachment and cultivate sensitivity towards others.
Ultimately, the hardest part of qurban is not buying the animal or performing the slaughter. The hardest part is slaughtering one’s ego: the ego that refuses to give the best, the ego that obeys only when religious laws align with desires, and the ego that resists sharing blessings with others.
No wonder the Quran states that it is not the meat or blood that reaches Allah, but the piety of those who perform it (Quran 22:37). The meat may be consumed and distributed, but the values of devotion, gratitude, and social care born from this act should endure long after the festive days end.