Sunday, October 28, 2012

Eid Al Adha, a Celebration For All Nations

This weekend marks the celebration by Muslims of the Eid Al Adha, one of their two most important holidays.  There is a certain "Easterish" feeling about it.  People go out and visit families, there are some celebrations, and it is a custom for women and girls to wear some new clothing.  Since it was a Muslim holiday, we didn't make any special plans for ourselves.  Due to the recent bombing there was also a lot less driving around and visiting friends among Beirutis than normal.  I had never really understood the true significance of the holiday and how much it points to Jesus until a recent discussion with a friend of mine who is a Sheikh.

Eid Al Adha is a celebration of the events recounted in Genesis 22:1-19, where God commands Abraham to take his beloved son and sacrifice him on an altar.  Christians and Jews believe that this was Isaac, and early Islamic accounts will sometimes say "Isaac" or simply "his son."  The Quran does not specify which son, and modern Islamic scholars have adopted the belief that it was Ishmael.


God brings the ram just in the nick of time.


As the Sheikh began discussing his version of the story with me, it became evident that it was very important to him.  They (ideally) slaughter a sheep or goat each year to commemorate the event.  I asked him what is done with the blood of the sheep and he seemed confused.  There is, in fact, a practice in folk Islam of wiping the blood on something to bring a blessing on it.  This is probably derived from some ancient remembrance of the Passover, but the significance of the blood has been forgotten.

Muslims believe that this sacrifice was a test to determine whom Abraham loved more: his son, or God.  I asked him the question "Why was it necessary for God to send the ram to replace Abraham's son?"  He didn't understand my point so I added "Why didn't God just say 'Good job, Abraham, I know that you love me now you can go home.'  Why did God send the Ram to replace Abraham's son after the test was finished?"

"Only God knows," my friend replied.  "Why do you think he sent the Ram?"

Oh, friends, what a question to ask!  Why did God send the ram to replace the son of Abraham?


At just the right moment, while we were still sinners, 
Christ died for the ungodly.

We talked about the blood of Jesus, from Passover to the cross.  He kept asking questions because the story of Jesus is so compelling!

I call on Christians everywhere to give more thought to Eid Al Adha.  This is also our holiday.  It celebrates the day that God sent his perfect lamb to take the place of sinful man there on that Mount.  Next year I will be throwing a feast for Eid Al Adha and inviting my Muslim friends to celebrate and discuss this wonderful story.  If you can, I urge you to find such an opportunity as well.

1 comment:

  1. thank God! You truly have a gift for finding the truth in common

    ReplyDelete