Why Is Animal Sacrifice Required for Eid al-Adha?

Have you ever wondered why animal sacrifice is required for Eid al-Adha? Maybe you know the idea of sacrifice is based on Prophet Abraham’s experience with his son.

Why is sacrifice such an important concept in Islam and Christianity? Why are millions of animals sacrificed every year on Eid al-Adha? Can those sacrifices help us go to Heaven? Send us your opinion here.

Why Animal Sacrifice is Required for Eid al-Adha

In general, Muslims think animals are sacrificed to remember what happened with Prophet Abraham and his son. According to one Muslim website, the purpose is to “. . . give thanks to Allah for the life he has given us.”

Those two reasons are good. The Quran explains, “. . . O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you . . .” (Qs 37:102).

Muslim scholars believe sacrificing animals is more important than giving alms. Why? Is there a deeper meaning we should know?

Background of Animal Sacrifice in the Torah

In the Torah, sacrifice began with Prophet Adam and Eve. After they committed the first sin, Allah “. . . made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them” (Torah, Genesis 3:21). Allah had to sacrifice an animal to cover their shame.

“Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions . . .” (Torah, Genesis 4:4).

After that Allah tested Prophet Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son. But, before Abraham could do so, Allah exchanged a ram for Abraham’s son. “. . . Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son” (Torah, Genesis 22:13).

Prophet Moses also sacrificed animals to Allah. “. . . You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God” (Torah, Exodus 10:25).

David frequently offered sin sacrifices to Allah (Torah, 2 Samuel 6:18; 24:25).

Every major prophet offered sacrifices to Allah. Why? Because “. . . without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Injil, Hebrews 9:22).

Animal sacrifice was required to cover sins. How will your sins be forgiven? Send us your answer here.

Is Animal Sacrifice Sufficient?

Allah’s Word teaches that the blood of animals is not sufficient to bring forgiveness for our sins. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Injil, Hebrews 10:4).

If that’s true, then why were there animal sacrifices? Because the sacrificial system was meant to point us to the perfect sacrifice—Isa Al-Masih.

Isa never sinned (Qs 19:19), so when He was crucified, He became the perfect sacrifice to take away all of our sins!

You could offer thousands of animals to be sacrificed, but they will never be enough to take away your sins. Only by putting our faith in Isa will all of our sins be forgiven.

Do you want Allah to forgive your sins? Those who believes in Isa “. . . have now been justified by his [Isa Al-Masih] blood, how much more shall we be saved from Allah’s wrath through him” (Injil, Romans 5:9).

This Eid al-Adha, rely on the only sacrifice able to save you (Isa) so you can live forever in Heaven!

SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW 

We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:

1. Why do you think most Muslims sacrifice animals every Eid al-Adha?
2. Why did the prophets in the Torah offer animal sacrifices?
3. Why are animal sacrifices not sufficient to cover our sins?
   

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