Qurbani means giving up your comfort
“You're putting yourself out of your comfort zone.”
The spirit of qurbani is sincerely giving up what is most precious, especially time and convenience, to obey Allah, while embodying the sunnah rather than reducing it to an overseas payment.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Introduces the blessings of Dhul Hijjah and presents qurbani as an opportunity for those not performing Hajj.
- Recounts Ibrahim and Ismail’s obedience and the ram provided in place of Ismail.
- Explains that every act of worship has both an outward form and an inward spirit.
- Applies sacrifice to modern life, emphasizing time, convenience, patience, and doing qurbani personally when possible.
- Distinguishes qurbani from charity and urges families to revive the sunnah by involving their children.
In the khateeb's words
“The spirit was to demonstrate that, "Ya Allah, whatever you want from me, I'm willing to do that. Whether it's difficult for me, whether it's uncomfortable for me, I'm willing to do that."”
“Your half of your day of Eid is gone. You're going, you're putting yourself out of your comfort zone. You have to wait, you have to display patience.”
“Every aspect of our deen, every pillar of our deen is something that we need to strive to do ourselves and only in the most dire of circumstances.”
“I encourage everybody, go and try to revive this sunnah with you. Take your children along.”
For the dinner table
Mufti Wahaaj explains that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are especially blessed, and that Hajj and qurbani come from Ibrahim’s complete willingness to obey Allah. The sacrifice is not only about obtaining meat or sending money; it is meant to awaken a spirit of giving up what is precious, including our time and convenience, for Allah. He encourages families, where possible, to arrange and participate in qurbani themselves and to bring their children so the faith is lived and remembered. The lesson is to honor both the outward act and its inward purpose: sincere submission, patience, and keeping the sunnah alive.
- What is one convenience you could give up to do something pleasing to Allah this week?
- Why do you think the khateeb wants families to involve children in qurbani?
- How can a worship action have both an outward form and an inward spirit?
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