MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir reminded Muslims that the true meaning of Eid al-Adha goes beyond the ritual of animal sacrifice. The essence of sacrifice, he said, lies in piety and the willingness to let go of worldly attachments for the sake of Allah and the good of others.
Haedar quoted surah al-Hajj verse 37, Lan yanallaha luhumuha walaa dimaauhaa walakin yanaaluhuttaqwa minkum (Neither their meat nor blood reaches Allah. Rather, it is your piety that reaches Him) .
“What we own in this life, such as wealth, power, and all our pleasures, is temporary. Allah teaches us to sacrifice, to use our worldly possessions for worship and for the greater good, not just to collect and hold onto them out of greed,” said Haedar on Thursday, June 5.
Haedar explained that those who sacrifice sincerely are freeing themselves from selfish desires. By giving what they value to serve a higher purpose, they offer their heart, soul, and all they have for the sake of Allah’s pleasure.
Haedar also pointed out a deeper human tendency, the desire to control and collect more. He warned that no amount of wealth or power ever truly satisfies those who are consumed by it. In many cases, this leads to unethical behavior like corruption or abuse of authority.
People who are greedy will never feel satisfied, not even when they already have more than enough until the day they die. Haedar referred to surah at-Takathur verse 1-2, al-hâkumut-takâtsur, ḫattâ zurtumul-maqâbir (Competition for more ˹gains˺ diverts you ˹from Allah˺, until you end up in ˹your˺ graves).
Haedar encouraged everyone, whether or not they participate in animal sacrifice, to reflect on their own lives, whether they are living with contentment, or they are driven by ambition, greed, and pride that cloud their sense of right and wrong.
“Let go of selfish interests and choose what is right for the good of others and the greater good of society. If we can do that, animal sacrifice becomes a way to free ourselves from worldly temptations and live a meaningful, balanced life that brings benefit in both this world and the hereafter,” said Haedar.
