Eid-ul-Adha: Teaching Our Children about the Essence of Devotion

By Umm Ahmed

In the rich tapestry of Islamic tradition, the story of Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham), peace be upon him, willingness to sacrifice his son stands as a profound testament to unwavering faith and ultimate devotion to Allah. This narrative, commemorated annually during Eid-ul-Adha, provides us with deep insights into the essence of true devotion and submission to the divine will. As Muslim parents, understanding and conveying this story to our children can offer invaluable lessons in faith, trust, and obedience.

 

 Parenting Tip

Muslim parents have an obligation to teach their children about the beauty of Islam. The upcoming Eid-ul-Adha holiday provides a tremendous opportunity to reflect on the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his family, and about what true devotion and obedience look like.

 

Eid-ul-Adha: A Legendary Celebration of Family

By Wendy Díaz

When we think of Eid-ul-Adha, the first things that come to mind are the Hajj pilgrimage, udhiya (sacrifice), and the blessed first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah. Eid-ul-Adha is a festival commemorating everything about the an important pillar of Islam – Hajj. But the historical foundations of Hajj are closely tied to a different kind of journey: parenting. The very rituals of the pilgrimage honor the sacrifices of both a father and a mother – namely Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and his wife, Hajar, may Allah be pleased with her.

 

Duaa

The best dua on the Day of Arafat is:

لا اله الا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير

La ilaha ila Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd, wa huwa `ala kulli shay’in qadir

There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, alone, without partner. His is the sovereignty, and His the praise, and He has power over everything.
Gain the Max Rewards on Day of Arafat

  

 

 

Pearls of Wisdom from the Story of Prophet Ibrahim

By Miriam Mohamed

As we commemorate Eid-ul-Adha and the story of Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice, we are reminded of the timeless principles of faith, submission to Allah's will, perseverance in adversity, and unity within the Ummah. It illuminates the depth of Ibrahim's legacy and the enduring relevance of his teachings in navigating life's trials and striving toward spiritual excellence. Through reflection, renewal, and action, believers can embody these pearls of wisdom in their lives, enriching their faith and contributing to the greater good of humanity.

 

Quranic Guidance

The story of Prophet Ibrahim is mentioned in various parts of the Quran including:

"And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you.' He said, 'O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.'" 

(Surah As-Saffat, 37:102)

 

This Eid, Give the Gift of Belonging

By Laura El Alam

When writer Laura El Alam celebrated her first Eid al Adha, she and her husband had recently relocated and found themselves alone. The couple was introduced to some new friends who warmly welcomed them into their home and hearts. She recounts that as a new Muslim, she “found that their kindness and hospitality had an enormous impact on me, strengthening my faith and teaching me life-changing lessons about how Muslims should treat each other with the best of intentions and generosity.” Consider giving someone who might usually spend the day alone a very special gift this Eid - a sense of belonging.

 

Interesting Facts 

Check out these detail about recent Hajj attendance.

  • In 2023, some 1.85 million Muslims performed the annual pilgrimage.
  • Nearly 90% (1.66 million) of pilgrims came from abroad, with the remaining 184,000 living in Saudi Arabia.
  • Asian countries contributed 1.05 million pilgrims, making up 57% of the total, followed by Arab countries (346,000) and African countries (222,000).
  • Male pilgrims numbered 969,694 (52.6%), while females were 875,351 (47.4%).
  • This year, More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims arrived in Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage.

More interesting facts and figures can be found online in this Al Jazeera article.

 

Book Review: Hamza Learns About Eid-ul-Adha

By Zahirah Lynn Eppard

The commemoration of the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid-ul-Adha provide a great opportunity each year for us to learn more ourselves and to share these lessons with our children. It is important to use the teachable moments to relay stories of our beloved prophets and also to discuss what obedience to Allah and His guidance look like in everyday life. If you have ever had trepidation about sharing the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s ultimate sacrifice, particularly with young children, Hamza Learns About Eid-ul-Adha by Asna Chaudhry is the perfect choice to open up dialogue. The book is part of the Deen Kids series and the whimsical illustrations and simple text make for a fun story and learning experience.

 
 

Online Resources

The Prophet’s Last Sermon: An Amazing Teaching Tool for Parents - Make a plan to read and learn from the advice provided in the Prophet’s Last Sermon delivered on the Day of Arafat.

Gain the Max Rewards on the Day of Arafat - Learn six reasons why the day is significant and check out a schedule of activities from before Fajr to Maghrib that can bring significant rewards.

7 Ways to Make Eid Special for your Children - There are nice suggestions in this article to brighten up your Eid day.

 

Adam's World Video: Adam & Aneesah Celebrate Eid-ul-Adha

Join Adam and Aneesah as they celebrate Eid-ul-Adha in the style of our Prophet Muhammad! The dynamic puppet duo have put together a catchy song to identify all of the important parts of this holiday. It’s a fun way to learn! (2:46)

 
 

Make the summer empowering for local youth!

 
 
 
 
 
 

The Sound Vision Foundation has been a trusted source of Islamic knowledge for more than 30 years. Our work with the world-renowned puppets Adam and Aneesah pioneered creative programming for Muslim children, encouraging them to learn about and love their religion. We continue to bring sound content and engaging programs that stimulate minds, touch hearts, and strive to fulfill our mission of raising better Muslims, better neighbors, and better citizens. This latest effort is designed to support and empower Muslim parents to do the same.

Share This

© 2024 Sound Vision Foundation. All rights reserved.

27 E. Monroe St., Suite 700, Chicago, IL. 60603, USA
Sound Vision is a not for profit tax exempt 501 (C) 3 organization

www.SoundVision.comwww.AdamsWorld.org • www.MuslimNetwork.tv

Connect & Socialize
Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences