Eid al-Adha: Why could a loving God ask for the slaughter of an innocent child?

Assalamu'alaikum wr.wb.,

The following are some questions related to the event of Eid al-Adha that have been asked not only by non-Muslims but also by Muslims who might be embarrassed to ask, worrying about being labeled as heretics or have weak faith just because of asking such question. But I believe these questions are related to our fundamental belief as Muslims and need to be addressed especially during the khutbah of Eid al-Adha.

Why could a loving and merciful God ask one of His chosen prophet to slaughter his own son? Isn't that barbaric and sadistic? Has not God himself forbidden the killing of innocent? What sin did the son do that he deserve to be sacrificed? Is it possible that this command based on a dream from Satan who always commands evil things, not from God who never commands anything evil? If it was only a test, why God needed to test Ibrahim with such evil command? Is God already All-Knowing, All-Knowledgeable, who understand the levels of faith of his prophets?


This short article is an attempt to address this question based on the Qur'anic verses related to the event. Any correction or additional insight to this is more than welcome. I hope this short article will be useful for those who need it.

Background Story

There is no a single verse in the Qur'an that states God commanded Ibrahim AS ('alayhis salam – may peace be upon him) to really sacrifice his own son. If we read the verses related to this event (Qur'an 37:102-111), the chronology of the story starts from a specific dream that Ibrahim had. In this dream, he saw himself sacrificing his beloved son (most Muslim scholars say it's Isma'il, which is also my view, but some say it's Ishaq, as in Judeo-Christian tradition, but this is another topic to discuss). Ibrahim loved his son so much since he waited to have a son for a long time until he reached an old age. When his son grew up young and his love for his son grew stronger, he had this dream. Ibrahim then consulted his son about the dream, and his son surprisingly told him to do what he was told no matter absurd this command might seem. Both Ibrahim and his son, knowing well that Ibrahim is God's prophet, believed that his dream was a message from God who knows what best for them. They finally humbly decided to submit themselves to God’s command and went to the mountain to perform the sacrifice.

However, when Ibrahim laid down his son on the altar, God stopped Ibrahim from what he was about to commit. God placed a ram in his son's place to be sacrificed (Qur'an 37:103-107). God explained that it was a great test for Ibrahim (Qur'an 37:106). God could have informed this to Ibrahim earlier but then it would not be considered a test if Ibrahim knew it beforehand. The fact that God stopped Ibrahim from sacrificing his own son shows that God is not a bloodthirsty being who requires the slaughter of son of His beloved prophet to satisfy His own ego as often accused by ignorant people.

Why Test?

But then, why did God need to test Ibrahim? Isn't He the All-Knowing God who knows already the level of faith of everyone especially His own prophets? God knows, but human does not. To make this known to all, there must be an event which could be perceived by them. God already knew that Ibrahim had faith in him, but it was necessary for Ibrahim to prove it through action. God through this event demonstrated that Ibrahim, as His chosen prophet, trusted God completely and placed him above all else, even his own son.

Similar event happened earlier in Ibrahim’s life time, when he received God's message to leave his wife (Hajar) and his son (Isma'il) in the middle of a desert. One might ask the same question, how could the Loving and Merciful God told His prophet to do something like that. But Ibrahim trusted and relied upon God wholeheartedly, and God protected him and his family as He promised. We know now this historical event stirred a series of future events and finally turned this desert to be a major city in the world visited by millions throughout history until now.

 

We learned from these events that it's not impossible for a human being, who has been given mind and heart, to accept God's decision, though his mind and his heart do not fully comprehend the real wisdom behind it, and to rely upon God since He comprehends all things in His mercy and knowledge (Qur'an 40:7).


Satanic dream?

Some people say that the dream that Ibrahim had was from Satan since God will never ask someone to do evil thing, and only Satan command evil action. Is this true?

 

God says in the Qur’an that He commands justice and kindness, and forbids evil and shameful things (7:28, 16:90). In the story of Ibrahim above, this was shown when God stopped Ibrahim from fulfilling the vision he saw in his dream, sacrificing his own son, which was only a test for him. The Qur'an mentions that Ibrahim believed without doubt that it was a message from God. He knew that dream was a medium for God's message to His prophets, and he believed fully that God will not harm him and his family. God says in Quran 37:105 that Ibrahim was commended for showing his obedience which is considered as an admirable conduct of a believing servant. If this vision is from Satan, God will certainly protect and inform him as God says in Qur’an 22:52-53 that He will protect His prophets from Satan's cunning deceptions and temptations. So this argument clearly refute the opinion that says Ibrahim's dream was in fact from Satan.

That was Ibrahim, the chosen prophet of God. How about the common people who are not God’s prophets? In our time now, no one can claim himself as God's prophet since no more new prophet comes after the Prophet Muhammad SAW  (salallahu ‘alayhi wasalam – may God’s blessing and peace be upon him). This is clearly taught by our Prophet SAW in many authentic ahadith. No one can now claim that his dream is a wahy or revelation from God, even if it does not contradict the teaching of our religion. A dream might be an ilham/inspiration or good sign from God, if it contains good message, or it might be from Satan if it contains otherwise and we should God's refuge from it, or it might come as result of our feeling/psychological. This is also addressed by the Prophet SAW in his authentic hadith.

Friend of God

The Eid al-Adha event shows us that Ibrahim deserved the title "Khalilullah", a friend of God, for having a great trust and reliance upon Him since the beginning of his quest for God. After this great test, anyone would not dare to make a derisive comment about Ibrahim, such as "Oh yes, Ibrahim was always willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of God, but he would not be able to sacrifice his own family especially his only son. He would not choose God over his own son."

It is then not exaggerated if God states in the Qur'an:
And We left (this blessing) for him among generations in later times: "Peace and salutation to Ibrahim!" (37:108-109)


Wallahu'alam bi shawab.

Eid Mubarak!

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Wassalam,
Ridha

** Illustration was taken from google image with original source unknown.