On December 8th in just about two weeks, PB peoples will be celebrating Eid al-Adha. Are you familiar with this Islamic holiday? Below is information describing the holiday. The first section "The Feast of Sacrifice" is informative and will help you understand what PB peoples will be celebrating in two weeks. The second section "Sound Familiar?" focuses on what Muslims believe about this holiday.
Before you begin reading the two sections below, here the prayer requests for these next few weeks. As you read below, perhaps the information will give you insight as to what PB peoples and other Muslims around the world believe.
* Please pray for salvation for the PB peoples.
*Please pray that during this holiday God would reveal His truth to PB peoples, that Jesus was and is the perfect sacrifice for their sins. Pray that God would remove the blindfold from their hearts and souls.
* Pray that the PB team and national partners would share during this time that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ ALONE.
* Pray that teaching of Truth would go forth from the PB team and national partners.
* Please pray that God would open eyes, ears, hearts, and souls of the PB peoples toward Him and His Truth. May today be the day of salvation for the PB people!
The Feast of Sacrifice
(this information taken from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/islamicholidays.html)
Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the prophet Abraham's willingness to obey Allah by sacrificing his son Ishmael. According to the Qu'ran, just before Abraham sacrificed his son, Allah replaced Ishmael with a ram, thus sparing his life.
One of the two most important Islamic festivals, Eid al-Adha begins on the 10 day of Dhu'l-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Lasting for three days, it occurs at the conclusion of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims all over the world celebrate, not simply those undertaking the hajj, which for most Muslims is a once-a-lifetime occurrence.
The festival is celebrated by sacrificing a lamb or other animal and distributing the meat to relatives, friends, and the poor. The sacrifice symbolizes obedience to Allah and its distribution to others is an expression of generosity, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Sound Familiar?
(the following information taken from islam.about.com/od/holidays/f/holidays.htm)
Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?
During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.
Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.
The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.
It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)
The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.
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The confusion that people can please God by sacrificing is a common issue amongst our PB people. And similar to what the writer of Hebrews said to Jewish people after the new covenant in Christ. See Hebrews 9 below.
Hebrews 9:11-14
"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."