Following the footsteps of Ibrahim (as)

On the 10^th of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims around the globe will be celebrating Eid al-Adha – commonly referred to as “The festival of sacrifice.” The day marks the occasion Ibrahim (as) was prepared to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah.
 As we decorate our homes and prepare fun and games for a memorable day for our children, it is also important to foster an awareness of the true spirit behind this celebration:

• Convey the significance of the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah – Increase in your Ibadah just as you would in ramadan and encourage children to fast and perform extra good deeds. This allows parents to create a build-up to the special day and a sense of reward and celebration.

• Teach children about hajj – Discuss the different rituals involved for the pilgrims and undertake activities that will familiarise them with the kabah, special dress code (ihram) etc. Emphasise that, despite not everyone being able to perform Hajj, Allah has given us all the opportunity to earn some great reward.

• Begin Eid with the remembrance of Allah – Fulfill a sunnah and make every effort to attend the Eid salah as a family.  This is a simple way for your child to feel a part of the ummah, thus strengthening their identity as a Muslim. 

These subtle lessons in submission, sacrifice and loyalty serve as a reminder of the commitment of Ibrahim (as) and should resonate with our children on this special day.