True sacrifice means submitting to Allah
“It wasn't about the blade, it wasn't about the animal, it was about the iman, the faith, the commitment, the submission that a person has.”
The story of Ibrahim and Ismail teaches that Allah is greater than every fear and desire, so believers should submit to His commands and respond with gratitude.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Opens Eid with prayers for accepted worship, hajj, qurbani, and remembrance of Allah.
- Retells Ibrahim and Ismail’s willingness to sacrifice as a test of loyalty, commitment, and submission resolved by the ram.
- Explains Allahu Akbar as Allah being greater than every fear, obstacle, desire, and human plan.
- Uses the Hijrah and Hudaybiyyah to show that submitting before understanding can lead to protection and victory.
- Teaches gratitude through contentment, resisting envy and comparison, remembering suffering communities, and maintaining worship.
- Closes with prayers for peace and an Arabic Eid khutbah emphasizing qurbani, taqwa, salawat, justice, and remembrance.
In the khateeb's words
“whatever you think is great whatever you think is majestic whatever you think is magnanimous whatever you think is stopping you from your success whatever you think is harming you Allah is far greater than that”
“it wasn't about the blade it wasn't about the animal it was about the iman the faith the commitment the submission that a person has”
For the dinner table
On Eid al-Adha, we remember how Ibrahim and Ismail showed complete trust and submission to Allah. The sacrifice reminds us that Allah values our faith and sincerity, not just the outward act. The khutbah taught that Allah is greater than our fears and that gratitude grows when we stop comparing ourselves with people who have more. We can show gratitude by obeying Allah, keeping up our prayers, and noticing the blessings we already have while remembering people facing hardship. The day ends with prayers for peace, healing, and mercy for suffering communities.
- What does Allahu Akbar mean when you are worried about something?
- What is one blessing you can thank Allah for without comparing it with someone else’s?
- What is one act of obedience our family can strengthen this week?
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