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Home: Islam
Resources: Straight Path series: Sacrifice
Discerning the Straight Path regarding...
The Feast of SACRIFICE (Id-al-Adha)
1. A Christian should not think that the Muslim
Feast of Sacrifice has nothing to do with him or her for the following
reasons:
a. This feast commemorates a Biblical event—the
time when Abraham nearly sacrificed his son (Gen. 22).
b. One may be offered sacrificed meat to eat. A Christian must
decide whether it is okay to accept this meat or not.
c. The story behind the Sacrifice is an opportunity to share God’s
truth. We can be equipped to share Christ in an appropriate way
with Muslim neighbours and friends.
2. The Qur’anic version of this event is found
in Surah Saffaat 37:102-111.
a. Big Difference-- The son’s name is not
mentioned but Muslim scholars say the son was Ishmael.
b. Big Similarity -- The essence of the story is the same. God
stops Abraham from harming the son.
3. The sacrifice symbolizes dedication to God’s
will like Abraham.
“This custom of holy sacrifice is nothing but a testimony of
man’s self-sacrifice and humble submission to the will of God;
his implicit faith and belief in Him, his determination and courage
to bear the burden of sacrifice.”
4. The sacrifice is only an act of worship. Orthodox
Muslim belief states that the blood of animals cannot take away
sins. (Qur’an 22:38)
5. It has parallels to an Old Testament sacrifice
called the “fellowship” or “peace” offering
found in Lev. 3 and 7--
a. It was offered to give worship and thanks to
God.
b. It was not offered to obtain forgiveness of sins.
c. The offerer himself could perform the sacrifice, instead of
a priest.
d. The offerer and his family partook of the meat.
6. Is it okay to accept sacrificed meat, since God
never commanded this particular sacrifice?
a. It is neither offered to an idol, nor does
accepting it mean you are accepting Islam.
b. In the early church, some Christians participated in Jewish
sacrifices even though they knew that Christ’s sacrifice
ended the need for any other. (Acts 21:26)
c. Sacrificed meat is given as a gesture of friendship. You should
thank God that your Muslim acquaintance values you enough to desire
to include you in his circle of friends and family.
7. How does the Feast of Sacrifice point to Jesus
Christ?
The Biblical roots of this Muslim festival are unmistakeable. Check out George's online gospel tract which uses the Feast of Sacrifice as a springboard to teach the substitionary atonement of Christ. Click here.
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