It is a delight to read my article reformated by my friend Susan McKenzie, making the article more meaningful and powerful. Thanks you Susan – Mike Ghouse
MAN OF ALL VIRTUES
The Qur’an describes Abraham as “a man who combined within himself all virtues, devoutly obeying God’s will” (An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:120)
SACRED FAITH, LOVE AND DEVOTION
God wanted to test Abraham’s faith, love and devotion and asked of him what everyone in love asks; “If you love me, you would…”
SACRED COMMITMENT
No one wants the beloved to give up his or her life, but wants a simple assurance and commitment in the relationship.
SACRED LOVE
It was Abraham’s main trial to face the command of God to sacrifice his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to God’s will. When he was all prepared to do it, God revealed to him that his “sacrifice” had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superseded all others that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.
SACRED SACRIFICE
Thus the tradition of symbolic sacrifice began. During the celebration of Eid-al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham’s trials by sacrificing an animal such as a sheep, camel, or a goat.
SIGN UP TO RESPECT
Mike Ghouse says that submitting to God simply means subscribing to the idea of a cohesive environment where each human being is respected for his or her place, nourishment and nurturance.
WE ARE ALL CONNECTED
Mike Ghouse wants to emphasize that we are all connected. He quotes a Native American, Chief Seattle who said: “All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does it to himself.”
ONE WORLD, ONE WEB
The idea of one web encompasses the idea of the world as one family and the oneness that we really are as humanity.
WHAT EID REALLY IS
Mike Ghouse: God does not need one to sacrifice; it has nothing to do with atoning sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin.
WILLING TO SHARE
The act symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties in order to strengthen and preserve the web and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from God, and we should open our hearts and share with others. The meat from the sacrifice of Eid-al-Adha is given away in three ways; self, relatives and the poor. It is a symbolic act of sharing with people who are malnourished and don’t get to eat the meat as we do.
SHARING SHINE
The attitude – a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the right path (subscribing to the oneness of humanity and oneness of creator the God). The creator would be pleased when his creation is nurtured, cared for and sustained. Indeed, to be religious is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence.
BLESSINGS TO YOU – HAPPY EID
Happy Eid
Eid Mubarak
Eid-al-Adha Mubarak
ONENESS BLESSING
B: Blessings to you on this Eid.
L: Love and commitment are at the heart of Eid. Let love reign in your heart and show it in your commitment to God and man.
E: Eid is about the deepest of devoted love, sharing, caring and helping fellow humans. Every moment of our lives we have the opportunity to express love, care and concern.
S: Show your love and commitment through sharing with others, family, friends, and those in need, which is the true essence of Eid and of religion.
S: Sacred and holy is simple love, simple sharing and caring.
S: Sign up to respect: respect for God and for fellow man. Sign up and subscribe to the idea of a cohesive environment where each human being is respected, nourished and nurtured.
Y: You are connected to me and I am connected to you because there is a web of life at work, so don’t rock the boat, keep an even keel as much as you can.
O: One world, One family, One God, One web, so let us be One as much as possible and respect the other.
U: Use what you have to benefit the world and a miracle of good will unfold.
CREDIT: This article was first published by Mike Ghouse at http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/n.php?nid=5168&fb_source=message
About the author
Susan McKenzie is an English teacher with over 20 years teaching experience. Susan has worked in the British Council and Linguaphone, well-known language teaching organizations. Susan is a London-trained lawyer, and has also been an editor in an international book publishing house and a national magazine. In her teens, Susan was a Sunday School teacher and in 2006 was appointed as an Ambassador of Peace by the Universal Peace Federation and Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace. Susan is also a co-author of two law books: English Legal System and Company Law, published by Blackstone, Oxford University Press. For enquiries about the IELTS, practical English and pronunciation courses Susan teaches, email susanmckenzie2003@yahoo.co.uk. FOR DAILY BLESSINGS: www.abetoday.com