Every year, Muslims around the world prepare for one of Islam’s most important celebrations: Eid Al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice. It’s a three-day holiday that commemorates how Abraham obeyed God.
In Genesis 22, we read that the Lord told Abraham to sacrifice his own son as a burnt offering. Abraham feared God and took steps of obedience. The Lord saw this and intervened at the last moment by providing a ram to sacrifice in place of the boy.
Muslim families honor Abraham’s obedience by performing their own animal sacrifice on Eid al-Adha.
AN ESTIMATED 100 MILLION ANIMALS ARE SACRIFICED ON EID AL-ADHA.
In the days leading up to the celebration, men go to the market to buy an animal. Those who can afford it will purchase a cow. Others settle for a goat, sheep, or ram. Before buying their animal, they make sure it has no flaws and blemishes.
Meanwhile at home, the entire house gets cleaned, special foods are prepared, and the best clothes are laid out for the celebration.
On the feast day, Muslim men rise before sunup. They go to the mosque to pray and listen to a sermon. Then they return home to sacrifice their purchased animal on behalf of their entire family.
The oldest man in the family performs the deed. Other family members help by holding the animal down on its left side, its throat pointing toward Mecca. With a swift cut at the neck, its blood is shed.
An estimated 100 million animals are sacrificed on Eid Al-Adha.
But God’s story of redemption didn’t end with the ram Abraham sacrificed in place of his son. Abraham’s act foreshadowed the Lamb, God’s own Son, who came as the ultimate sacrifice that covers all our sin.
- Pray that Muslim men and women will recognize the insufficiency of an animal sacrifice to cover their sins.
- Pray for entire families to hear the Gospel and have the chance to discover Christ, the perfect Sacrifice.
- Ask God to open doors for Frontiers workers to share the Good News with Muslims and invite them to follow Jesus.
Each year, Arif celebrates Eid al-Adha, a feast commemorating Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. But when a Frontiers field worker encourages him to read the biblical account of this story, he’s challenged to step out in faith.