The history of sacrificial sharia pertains to the extraordinary drama between Prophet Ibrahim, Siti Hajar, and Prophet Ismail.
By
A Helmy Faishal Zaini
·5 minutes read
The history of sacrificial sharia pertains to the extraordinary drama between Prophet Ibrahim, Siti Hajar, and Prophet Ismail. The story of the three then becomes a theological foundation for the teaching of sacrifice in Islam.
The story is recorded in the Qur\'an Surah As-Shaffat Verses 100-106: "O my Lord, grant me a pious child. Then We gave him good tidings of a forbearing child. And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, Ibrahim said to him, \'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I (must) sacrifice you. Then, consider what you think? ’"
The son said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast."
And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, "O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial.”
The verses clearly describe how the dialogue that took place between Ibrahim and his beloved son, Ismail, about the sacrifice order. One dialogue that is very touching and at the same time can thrill the faith.
The teaching of sacrifice
Sacrifice, sincerity, patience and humanity are symbolically-metaphorically illustrated through dialogue involving three chosen people. All three, namely Ibrahim, Siti Hajar, and Ismail, had to undergo a very heavy phase of life. The three were tested by Allah SWT.
An ideal Muslim is a Muslim who is able to align vertical rituals with his horizontal dimension of social worship. The Quran clearly touches on the balance of these two aspects: ritual and social. For example, we can find a verse of the Quran that says: "Establish prayer and pay zakat (alms)". The order has a very clear content, namely the message to maintain balance in vertical worship in the form of prayer and horizontal worship in the form of zakat.
Ali Al-Jurjawi in Hikmatus Tasyri Wafalsafutuh underlined the background of the pensyariatan (legality) of Islamic teachings, including the wisdom on the legality of the sacrifice. At least two lessons have been revealed by Ali Al-Jurjawi about the legality of the teachings of sacrifice.
What was done by the Prophet Ibrahim at the expense of his beloved child (Prophet Ismail) is a manifestation of the totality of obedience to Allah SWT.
First, Idharu tamamit tha\'ah lil Khaliq or reveal the perfect obedience of the Creator. What was done by the Prophet Ibrahim at the expense of his beloved child (Prophet Ismail) is a manifestation of the totality of obedience to Allah SWT.
Second, al-qiyam bis syukri ala ni\'matil fida\' as an expression of gratitude and at the same time redemption to Allah for all the pleasures so that it can be shared with others. Why be grateful and atone for? Because, if only the Prophet Ismail was slaughtered, without being replaced by a goat by Allah SWT, then what will happen to humans afterwards? God commanded Gabriel AS to replace Ismail with a goat with wisdom so that we slaughter the animal elements within us.
Social care
In a hadith it is said, khairunnasi anfauhum linnas. The good people are those who benefit others. In the language of Ibn Arabi, what is useful for others is called love. Love in my opinion is always the paradigm of giving and giving.
Always giving and giving. Always a passion for sharing and sharing. In love there is no take and give paradigm. The latter paradigm is said to only apply in commerce and trade. Love is not traded. It only knows sharing. This is the essence of love.
On the other hand, it is important for us to contemplate that in the midst of an epidemic situation like today, there is wisdom in it. One of them, we can make this quarantine momentum as a vehicle to sow the spirit and the concept of baity jannaty, namely the concept of home as a paradise that manifests in real life.
We can build a good society, and also embody the spirit of broad social cohesion in the simplest way, namely to start building a cohesive life order, starting with ourselves and our families. Of course, a good society, a strong nation, can be realized from the small pillars of a strong and cohesive family.
The importance of teaching to share with others is illustrated in many of the words of Allah SWT, among others as stated in the Surah An-Nisa Verse 114: La khaira fi katsirin min najwahum illa man amara bishadaqatin au ma\'rufin au ishlahin bainnasi.
If we look deeper, in the Surah An-Nisa Verse 114 above, the order for alms is placed in the first position.
The above verse if translated freely means, there is no point in religious people if he does not do, first, the philanthropic movement in the form of alms, second, continually doing good things, and finally, making transformative efforts towards peace among people. If we look deeper, in the Surah An-Nisa Verse 114 above, the order for alms is placed in the first position. This is a clear proof how the suggestion and teaching to do charity has a very important position in Islam.
Islam upholds the spirit of philanthropism. The spirit to share with one another. In a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim and Abu Hurairah, Rasulullah Muhammad SAW once said, "Verily, wealth will not be reduced because it is given as alsms."
In interpreting this hadith, the expert commentator, Shaykh Ali Ash-Shabuni (2000), said that what is meant by a guarantee that there will not be a reduction in the assets to be given as alms is that Allah will always improve and clean the assets of someone who is willing to give alms.
As a result, Idul Adha must be utilized to increase sensitivity, care, and also improve social ties, especially in difficult times during the disease outbreak, as it is today. May our nation be given strength so that we can all get out of this outbreak safely. Wallahu a’lam bis showab.
A Helmy Faishal Zaini, Secretary-General of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama