Eid al-Adha (Offerfeest)
All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and ask for His forgiveness...
Khutbah for Friday (Jumu‘ah): The Meaning of Sacrifice (Offerfeest / Eid al-Adha) First Khutbah All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and from the consequences of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide; and whoever He allows to stray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger. O servants of Allah, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except in a state of submission to Him. Dear brothers and sisters, We are approaching the blessed days of sacrifice, known as Eid al-Adha, the Offerfeest. These are days filled with remembrance, gratitude, and deep reflection. At the heart of this celebration lies a powerful story: the story of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son Ismail (peace be upon him). Allah tested Ibrahim with a command that shakes the heart: to sacrifice his beloved son. And what was his response? Complete submission. No hesitation. No argument. And what was the response of Ismail? “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient.” This moment teaches us something essential: Islam is not just belief—it is submission. It is trusting Allah even when we do not fully understand. It is putting Allah above our desires, fears, and attachments. But Allah, in His mercy, did not require the sacrifice of Ismail. Instead, He replaced him with a ram. This shows us that Allah does not want our hardship—He wants our sincerity. He does not need our sacrifice; rather, He wants to see our obedience and our hearts. Allah says in the Qur’an: “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.” So when we sacrifice an animal during Eid, the act is not about the meat. It is about taqwa—God-consciousness. It is about asking ourselves: what am I willing to give up for Allah? Is it our bad habits? Our sins? Our ego? Our attachment to dunya? Dear believers, The spirit of sacrifice should not end with the slaughter of an animal. It should continue in our daily lives: Sacrificing time for prayer Sacrificing wealth for charity Sacrificing pride for humility Sacrificing anger for patience And remember, part of this sacrifice is sharing. The meat of the sacrifice is distributed—some for ourselves, some for family, and some for those in need. This reminds us that our blessings are not meant to be kept only for ourselves. Let us use this time to reconnect with Allah, to purify our intentions, and to renew our commitment to Him. I say these words of mine, and I ask Allah for forgiveness for me and for you, so seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds...
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his family, and his companions. O servants of Allah, As we prepare for Eid al-Adha, let us not forget those who are struggling—those who cannot afford to sacrifice, those who are suffering from poverty, war, or loneliness. Our faith calls us to compassion. The Prophet ﷺ said: “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.” So let us give generously. Let us check on one another. Let us strengthen the bonds of family and community. Also, let us remember that the best sacrifice we can offer is a sincere heart. A heart free from hatred, envy, and arrogance. A heart that remembers Allah often. Send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, as Allah has commanded you. O Allah, send Your peace and blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. O Allah, accept our عبادات, forgive our sins, guide our hearts, and make us among those who truly submit to You. O Allah, grant relief to those who are suffering, and bless our community with unity, mercy, and sincerity. Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives, and He forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression. He reminds you so that you may take heed. Establish the prayer.