Mawlana Hazar Imam: “The shared destiny of the ethos of the Abrahamic tradition….unites Christians, Jews and Muslims….”

The Arabic term ‘Eid’ translates into ‘celebration’ and ‘al-Adha’ as ‘sacrifice.’ Eid-al-Adha is celebrated as an anniversary of the sacrifice that Abraham (Ibrahim) was willing to make upon God’s command. At the moment of the sacrificial act, a merciful intervention spared Abraham’s son’s life. The Qur’an says:

We called to him, “O Abraham,
You have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.
Indeed, this was the clear trial.
And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,
And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:
“Peace upon Abraham.”
Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.
(Sura 37: 104–106)

Eid al-Adha is also an expression of the universal themes of sacrifice, commitment, and faith. For the Qu’ran says,

“It is not flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah, but the devotion from you that reaches Him.” (Sura 22: Verse 37).

Eid-al-Adha marks the completion of the Hajj to Mecca and commemorates the story and symbolic sacrifice of Abraham, the central Prophet connecting Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Through the remembrance of the Prophet of Allah, Eid al-Adha also links the ethical heritage shared by the Ahl al-Kitab — the People of the Book.

Mawlana Hazar Imam has reminded us that
“The shared destiny of the ethos of the Abrahamic tradition that unites Christians, Jews and Muslims is governed by the duty of loving care to help nurture each life that is born to its God-given potential.”
Banquet hosted in Honour of Governor Perry, Houston, Texas
June 23, 2002
Speech at Press Centre, AKDN

He also said that
“There are those who say that faiths divide. This may be true. But today we must explore every opportunity to have different faiths come together in addressing the problems of our respective societies. We come from the same common religious heritage, descendants of Abraham, and it is enjoined on us to address the problems of society on the same ethical premises.”
Signing Ceremony of the Protocol of Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Portugal and the Ismaili Imamat, Lisbon, Portugal
December 19, 2005
Speech at Press Centre, AKDN

Sources:
Azim Nanji, Dictionary of Islam, Penguin Books, London, 2008
TheIsmaili.org

Compiled by Nimira Dewji