He said: O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you

"He said: O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you"

The Glorious Qur'an mentioned to us a realistic story that is beyond imagination from the human prospective, but it truly happened. Its heroes were a father and his son: Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them).

Prophet Abraham was an old man who was given a son in old age and was his only child. The child grew up and became of age and became very helpful to his father.

When they both started to enjoy the company of one another and each one felt the need to the other, the command of Allah (may He be Exalted) came to His Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) with: "And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to Allâh). So, look what you think! He said: O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Inshâ 'Allâh (if Allâh wills), you shall find me of As-Sâbirûn (the patient)." [Surat As-Safat: 102].

That weird story was a sign from Allah (may He be Exalted) to Abraham to slay his son Ishmael. It was a vision and the visions of the Prophets were true and correct. So, Abraham (peace be upon him) surrendered and obeyed the command of Allah without hesitation or inquiry; it is just execution. The execution was accompanied by satisfaction and acceptance without rushing or disturbance to get rid of that matter and end it fast to be easy for himself.

Prophet Abraham reviewed the matter to his son calmly, asking for his opinion. So, Abraham did not want to slaughter his son by surprise or without his knowledge because he wanted to hear from Ishmael his approval and submission in order to receive the reward of obedience and taste its sweetness.

Then the answer of that forbearing son came in magnificence and wonder, he said: O father, by all kindness and affection, execute the command of Allah and -by the will of Allah- I shall be obedient and helpful, and I shall observe patience for this hard matter.

Then it came the stage of true execution by action not by words. Abraham, the father, throw his son Ishmael on the ground and put a knife on his neck, and moments before the execution the command of Allah (may He be Exalted) came to Abraham to stop the execution because the objective was done; it was a test for the father and the son. They passed and got an "A" mark despite the horrible situation. Allah (may He be Exalted) described the matter as such: "Verily, that indeed was the manifest trial." [Surat As-Safat: 106].

Abraham sacrificed his only son in obedience to the command of Allah and seeking His Garden and Satisfaction, and that terrific boy responded calmly in obedience to Allah and to please his father.

Where are we from those sublime meanings? Many people sacrifice the obedience of Allah (may He be Exalted) and ignore His Commands for the sake of their children as they think: They eat usury and bribes, conceal the truth, and testify falsely. When they are asked about these matters, they seek excuses because of their children, financial obligations, and great responsibilities that made them sacrifice their world and Hereafter for the sake of their children.

Should not we take Abraham (peace be upon him) as a model example to us, not to sacrifice our children, but to learn the jurisprudence of balance and the jurisprudence of priorities, and to understand the meaning of sacrifices, and the least of which is the sacrifice of `Eid which many people hesitate to perform.