The Charity of Sacrifice
The Charity of Sacrifice
(Speech given to members of the South Valley Islamic Community, Morgan Hill, California, on the occasion of the Eidul Adha, Sunday December 31, 2006 at Gavilan College, Gilroy, California.)
Praise be to Allah that we are able to gather on this crisp Sunday morning, the last day of the year, to celebrate Eidul Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, in peace and prosperity! We are fully aware that there are millions elsewhere who are not so blessed or fortunate.
We are able to enjoy our freedom, peace and prosperity today because those before us have made their sacrifices. When Prophet Muhammad (May peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him!) received his first revelation from Allah, he was fully aware of the awesome responsibilities and the sacrifices that he would have to make to fulfill Allah’s mission. We owe much to those early Muslims who sacrificed much and endured monumental tribulations to spread the message of Allah.
One central message of Islam is our equality in the eyes of God. This is symbolized by the pilgrims attired only in their white ihram performing one of the Hajj’s important rituals, kings beside commoners, the rich alongside the poor, and the ulama side by side the novice.
The Founding Fathers too gave much of themselves to rid America of the tyranny of colonialism, and thus ushered in our freedom. Later, leaders like Martin Luther King gave the ultimate sacrifice in bringing the reality of the hallowed assertion in our Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Today we get to enjoy these freedoms.
Our forefathers too gave much of themselves. It took more than just courage to uproot themselves from the warmth of their family, friends and familiar surroundings in search of a better future in a distant country. They had faith in themselves and in God that their sacrifices would have meaning and consequence. That sustained them in the ensuing uncertainties.
Those like me who were not born in this country but choose to live here share and understand this sentiment. It is a tribute to the greatness of this nation that it is welcoming of new immigrants. The only difference that my great grandchildren could rightly claim decades hence would be that their ancestors came to this great country in a Boeing 747 instead of a steamship or schooner.
Today on this Eidul Adha we celebrate with our fellow faithful in Mecca as they complete their Hajj pilgrimage. Praise be to Allah, that this year we have three members of our congregation, Brs. Amir, Sohair and Merchant, together with their families undertaking their Hajj. May Allah accept their pilgrimage and give them safe passage.
As part of the rituals of Hajj, the pilgrims will reenact the ultimate sacrifice that was asked by Allah of Nabi Ibrahim. What made Nabi Ibrahim endure the searing emotion of having to sacrifice his only son was the supreme belief in Almighty Allah, in the justness of His command, and that there must be a greater meaning to the sacrifice. It was this faith that sustained him through his anguish.
Following this congregational prayer, we will ritualistically reenact that ultimate sacrifice offered by Nabi Ibrahim on the command of Allah by slaughtering an animal and sharing the meat with our friends, family, and the needy. This act of sacrifice is thus also an act of charity, a major pillar of faith, together with the more familiar ones of prayers, fasting, and the Hajj.
The physical aspect of the sacrifice is readily apparent and appreciated. Equally important are the sacrifices that we must charitably make in our spirit, deeds, and words. While it would be easy for us to make the sacrifices for and be charitable to those we like and agree with, the greater sacrifice would be to do the same thing to our adversaries and to those with whom we disagree.
A kind word to or deed upon those we do not like or our enemies requires a much greater sacrifice on our part precisely because it is so much more difficult to undertake. Yet those are the most charitable of deeds that we can perform. The benefits that would accrue not only upon us but also on the recipients of our generosity as well as on our community are immense. At the very least we could then reassure ourselves that we have done our part and salve our conscience; at best it may very well change minds and behaviors.
The effect on our community of such individual acts of charity and sacrifice is self-reinforcing and self-multiplying. The adage, good will begets more goodwill, rings true.
Just as the freedom and prosperity we enjoy today are the consequences of the sacrifices of those before us, so too we must contribute our share of sacrifices so those following us would also get to enjoy theirs.
Today we have our Eid prayers in a rented hall. Insha’ Allah, we look forward to one day of having not only our own masjid but also a facility to educate our young and house our elders. Our community has embarked on the ambitious Cordoba Project on a 16-acre parcel in San Martin. We envisage a community center in the fullest sense, a place for learning, for our congregational prayers, to take care of our elders, and a center of our community’s activities.
Our goals are lofty and the challenges are great. They demand much of us: much work and even greater sacrifices. Let us all do our part. I wish you Eid Mubarak and Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2007 at 4:53 am
As Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Eid Mubarak from me, too. May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala accept this years sacrifices and especially those of the Hajjis taking a journey of a lifetime.
Was Salam
Muhtaj-e-Du’a
January 2nd, 2007 at 8:59 pm
When do I get to see my 72 virgins???
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:26 am
Al Jihad,
When you stop asking the question and start thinking and focusing on what ails our country.
2007 is going to be a rather difficult year for the world. Being an exporting nation, Malaysia too will be adversely affected if the US economy slows down. Even China is dependent on the state of the US economy.
If we are all affected (as we certainly will be) and our Government cannot implement counter-cyclical measures, I do not think you will not be able to afford even a single virgin. You will need bank financing and lots fo stamina to manage the balance of 71 virgins.
Please, let us get real and appreciate Dr. Bakri’s message to his brothers and sisters at Morgan-Hill, California and reflect on our present situation with floods continuing to cause severe damage to the livelihood and homes of Malaysians in Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Pahang. Now we are on the alert in Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan.
January 3rd, 2007 at 8:14 am
Al Jihad,
The answer to your question is very straight forward. Here it is: when you drop dead!!
January 3rd, 2007 at 8:15 am
Al Jihad,
The answer to your question is very straight forward. Here it is: when you drop dead!!
January 4th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Greeting from Kompong Speu, Cambodia.
Mr Al-Jihad,
Why do you ask such a stupid question? You are concerned about 72 virgins!! Is sex all that important to you? Are all Muslims in Malaysia like you?
You should be worried about the challenges facing the Ummah in the 21st century. I rather hear what you have to say about how we all can revive and motivate Muslims to embrace modernisation, put a premium on the quest for spiritual understanding and secular knowledge in the sciences and to recognise the need to be competitive.
For me, the Number One Priority is knowledge. Quality Education must be given to all Muslims without regard to gender. It is not education defined by the Taliban and the Mullahs. Dr. Bakri, whose writings I read with great interest, has written a book on Education in Malaysia. He is kind enough to make it available on his website for readers like me who cannot afford to order his book via amazon.com.Why is it so difficult for your authorities to adopt some of his ideas?
Cambodian officials are now reading his book for some ideas about how our education system can be changed and made more relevant to the needs of foreign investors. We are emphasing the use of English for business and public administration. I am confident that we can overtake Malaysia in the next 20 years, if Malaysians like you are focused on your 72 virgins and nothing else.
You and your types in Malaysia fail to appreciate how difficult it is for us in Cambodia to have access to good schools and other basic infrastructure. This is perhaps because you were spared from the tragedy we experienced in our country in the 1970-1990, and you also fail to appreciate how fortunate you are today compared to us. Having said that, I feel that your country can do better, given all the resources available to your Government and your private sector.
From my reading of articles and comments on the website and others, you have poor leadership, ultra-conservative Islam, and a colonial type civil service which requires urgent reform. But I am encouraged by the fact there is an active blogger community in Malaysia which is making critical yet useful comments on many issues. If only your Government and the bureaucrats can be humble enough to listen and learn, your country will not be in a limbo as it is today.
The above is a view from a friend of Malaysia who admires your previous Prime Minister, Mr. Mahathir, very much.
January 4th, 2007 at 8:51 am
A new Al Jihad had highjacked my name. Never mind, he or she (its a he) has only one goal in mind - the hands of the gullible virgins in Heaven. Wonder whether there are any left now that Sadam had joined the ranks.
To Pak Din aka Anonymous aka Al Akal aka Vibol, the genuine Al Jihad has not interest in virgins. He is fine with his Mak Virgin on planet Earth.
Have fun in Cambodia or is it KL?
January 4th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Al Jihad,
Virginity is just like age. It is a mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. I reckon you realy mind about having not one but 72 virgins. Virgins are for virgins. If you have been screwing around, don’t expect any befall to you.
January 5th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Dear Din,
I wish I had RM5,000 to help out the flood victims. My hometown Muar was one of the worst hit. The Korban period is not over yet. Happy New Year and Salam to you and BM.
January 7th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Dr Bakri
Idil Adha not only signify the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail. The sacrifice of Siti Hajar is overlooked. Siti Hajar was left with Prophet Ismail in the desert. In search of water Siti Hajar ran between the two hills Safa and Marwah. Prophet Ismail struck his feet into the ground and todat we have the Zam Zam well. The sacrifice of Siti Hajar signify the sacrifice of all Muslim women and this needs to be recognized when we celebrate Idil Adha.
January 7th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Dear Shrek:
You are absolutely right about the sacrifices of Siti Hajar. I betrayed my male-centric focus by not pointing that fact out. Thank you for the timely reminder!
M.Bakri Musa