The Essence of the Holy Qur’an

Eid-ul-Adha and Purity of Intention

Neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus He has subjected these animals to you that you may magnify Allah for the guidance He bestowed upon you. And give glad tidings (O Prophet!) to those who do good.
(Surah No. 22, Muhammad, Verse No. 37)

Only Piety Reaches Allah
Dear Friends, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and is followed by three days of continued celebration. On this sacred occasion, we commemorate the profound devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who was willing to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah’s command.

It is important to remember that in pre-Islamic times, the Arabs would offer the flesh of sacrificed animals at the altars of idols. Islam rejected this practice. The Qur’an reminds us that neither the flesh nor the blood of the sacrifice reaches Allah; rather, it is the taqwa—our piety and sincerity—that matters. When a person offers a sacrifice out of deep gratitude and pure intention for the sake of Allah alone, that sincere devotion is what reaches Allah. Without this inner purity, the physical act of sacrifice loses its spiritual value in Islam.

Magnify Allah
Allah does not need the animal or its blood—He desires our obedience, submission, and gratitude. We should be thankful to Him for guiding us rightly, especially in matters where many others have gone astray. It is our duty to magnify and glorify Allah, to uphold the true beliefs, and to spread virtue and charity in our communities.

The Righteous in the Sight of Allah
True righteousness lies in doing good solely for the sake of Allah, not for recognition, praise, or fame. Every deed must align with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and be performed with sincerity. Those who act with this pure intention are the true muhsineen—the doers of good—in the sight of Allah.