MediaBantenCyber.co.id (MBC), Opinion — Every Eid al-Adha, Muslims again undergo the ritual of slaughtering sacrificial animals. At first glance, this ritual seems simple. However, in the Sufism tradition, every act of worship is not only understood from the external side, but also from its inner meaning. Therefore, sacrifice is not just the slaughter of animals, but also a human’s spiritual journey to understand himself.
The story of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail can be read as a story about man’s relationship with his ego and sense of ownership. This is where Eid al-Adha becomes very close to the lives of modern humans who often feel they are able to control everything.
Today humans live in an era that places great emphasis on self-efficacy. Advances in science, technology and rational thinking have made humans increasingly believe that they can determine their own lives. Humans feel capable of managing their future, building their identity, and even determining the meaning of their life independently.
In modern philosophy, especially since the thought of René Descartes with his expression “I think, therefore I am”, humans are placed as the center of consciousness. Everything is measured from the perspective of “I”. From here comes the belief that humans are the center of reality.
However, Sufism sees this issue differently.
For Sufis, humanity’s greatest problem is not just a lack of knowledge, but attachment to the illusion of self. Humans are too busy seeing themselves as a source of power, even though they are only recipients of a greater source.
In kalam science, the concept of meaningful attributes is known, namely the seven attributes of God’s perfection: qudrah (strength), iradah (will), ilm (knowledge), hayat (life), sama’ (hearing), basar (seeing), and kalam (saying or speaking).
Humans are indeed given a small reflection of these qualities. Humans have the ability to act, choose, think, hear, see and speak. All of this enables humans to live their lives in the world.
But herein lies the problem.
Humans are given abilities, but that does not mean they are the absolute owners of those abilities.
Sufism reminds us that the ego is born when humans forget to distinguish between the reflection and the source of light. He began to feel that power came entirely from himself, knowledge came from his mind alone, and life was completely under his control.
However, all human abilities are very fragile.
Strength can be lost due to age or illness.
Knowledge can collapse when humans are faced with realities that cannot be explained by reason.
Even life can stop at any time without being able to stop it.
Therefore, spiritual awareness in Sufism begins when humans realize their limitations. He realizes that he is not the center of everything, but is a creature who is completely dependent on Allah.
It is at this point that sacrifice takes on a deeper meaning.
Prophet Ibrahim was not only tested to slaughter his son. He is tested to release his deepest sense of ownership. Meanwhile, Prophet Ismail symbolizes total surrender to Allah’s will without ego resistance.
So in the view of Sufism, sacrifice is not primarily about the blood of animals being shed, but rather about the destruction of the illusion of “I”.
“I” feel the most powerful.
“I” is the one who feels most decisive.
The “I” who feels that his knowledge is sufficient to understand everything.
In Sufi terms, this process is close to the concept of fana, namely the melting of the ego in the face of awareness of the greatness of God. Fana does not mean that humans disappear physically or lose their identity, but the loss of inner pride that feels like it is the most important.
With this perspective, sacrifice can be understood as a symbol of returning everything to its source.
Power is returned to Allah, the Owner of the qudrah.
The will is returned to God, the owner of the will.
Knowledge is returned to Allah, the Owner of knowledge.
And life is returned to God, the Owner of life.
This message feels very important for modern humans. Today humans are too busy building self-image, pursuing recognition, strengthening personal identity, and glorifying individual achievement. As a result, humans often forget that they have limits.
Sufism does not invite people to hate the world or abandon their abilities. Sufism actually teaches balance: humans can have abilities, ideals and achievements, but they must not be trapped in arrogance as if all of this came entirely from themselves.
Perhaps because of this, the deepest essence of Eid al-Adha lies not in what is slaughtered by the hand, but in what the heart is willing to give up. Because the human spiritual journey is ultimately not about being the center of everything, but rather about realizing that everything in oneself comes from God and will return to Him.
Author: Mohammad Romli
Lover of Philosophical and Sufism Texts.
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