The Sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim [pbuh]

One night Prophet Ibrahim [pbuh] had a dream. He dreamt that Allah has told him to sacrifice Ismail. The next night Ibrahim [pbuh] had the same dream. Ibrahim [pbuh] knew that Allah would only ask him to do such a thing if he had good reason. Even though he loved his son dearly, he was prepared to do this difficult thing for Allah. Ibrahim [pbuh] told Ismail [pbuh] they had to go to Mount Arafat. He took a knife and a rope with him. On the way they passed a place called Mina. The devil, Shaytan, came to Ibrahim [pbuh] and tried to talk him out of sacrificing his son [pbuh]. Ibrahim [pbuh] turned his back on him and would not listen, when he wouldn’t dismiss Ibrahim [pbuh] and Ismail [pbuh] threw stones at him. When they reached Mount Arafat, Ibrahim [pbuh] told Ismail [pbuh] what Allah wanted him to do. Ismail listened and accepted what was to happen. He was an exceptional child. He too was a great prophet. Ismail told his father to tie his hands and legs and blindfold himself so he would not struggle and make his father even more upset than he was going to be and Ibrahim [pbuh] was blindfolded so he would not see his son suffer. Ibrahim [pbuh] as Ismail [pbuh] had said. He [pbuh] then took the knife and did what Allah had told him [pbuh] to do. When he [pbuh] took the blindfold from his eyes he looked down, not at his son but at a dead lamb. Ismail [pbuh] was at his side. Ibrahim [pbuh] was afraid. He thought he had disobeyed but then he heard a voice telling him not to worry. Allah looks after his followers. Ibrahim [pbuh] and Ismail [pbuh] had passed a difficult test.

Each year, during the month of Dhul Hijjah, many Muslims, from all over the world, travel to Makkah, remembering what Ibrahim [pbuh] and Ismail [pbuh] did. Similarly in the month of Dhul Hijjah pilgrims go to Makkah, Mina and Arafat. They sacrifice animals just as Allah commanded Ibrahim to do in memory of the deed.

 We must obey Allah's commands as Ibrahim and Ismail did. We obey by doing the things we know are right, praying, obeying our parents and always telling the truth.