Almighty Allah sent a Messenger from among ourselves to both Arabs and non-Arabs. He was the noblest of them, the purest of them in nature and upbringing, the greatest of them in intelligence and forbearance, the most abundant in knowledge and understanding, the strongest in certainty and resolution, and the one with the greatest compassion and mercy for them. Almighty Allah purified him in both body and spirit and kept him free from all faults and blemishes and bestowed wisdom and judgment on him. Through him, Almighty Allah opened eyes that were blind, hearts that were covered and ears that were deaf, and He made people believe in him. He taught us how to live according to Islam and showed us the real meaning of sacrifice.

(Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.) (Al-An`am 6:162)

What Is sacrifice?

It is giving up things which are valued or desired. Those things may be tangible, like time, wealth, or life, or intangible and immeasurable like feelings, attitudes, opinions, or aspirations.

Making sacrifices means giving up something for something else which is far more important or urgent. Sacrifice, in our daily lives, is the only real way to success. We sacrifice sleep for studying and we sacrifice money and time for our family. How then can a person be a “good Muslim” without involving himself in a struggle that necessarily requires sacrifices?

A person enters Islam by saying the Shahadah but he can only live Islam by constantly putting the Shahadah into action. This requires non-stop striving to reshape yourself and society as to attest to your witnessing. Becoming Muslim is a two-fold process: to summon yourself and to summon all mankind to live under the sovereignty of One God.

(Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).) (Ash-Shura 42:13)

Turning towards Almighty Allah requires will and effort, and also requires turning away from all which displeases Him. Remember the gifts which Almighty Allah has given us; our eyes with which we see, our ears with which we hear, our hands and feet with which we work and Islam which is the greatest gift that teaches us how to live. In order to derive full benefit from these gifts, we must exert our best efforts.

(Do you think that you will enter paradise while Allah has not yet known those who strive hard from among you, and (He has not) known the patient.) (Aal `Imran 3:142) 

Sacrifices and Moral Resources

Making sacrifices strengthens our inner spiritual and moral resources. Every act of sacrifice nourishes and increases our faith; for it transforms a verbal confession and a mental conviction into a living reality. It confirms, and thus, increases our love for Almighty Allah; for at every step we give up something for the sake of this love. It reinforces our loyalty and fidelity to Almighty Allah; for all other loyalties become secondary as they are sacrificed for the sake of this loyalty. Making sacrifices bring us nearer to Almighty Allah. The process is mutually interactive: the stronger the faith, the greater the will and capacity to sacrifice; the greater the sacrifices, the more internalized and deeper the faith.

Precious Sacrifices

Time: this is the most precious commodity and there is nothing we covet and desire in life that can be obtained except by spending time. Time is the first thing that Almighty Allah demands of us: it takes time to fight in the way of Allah, it takes time to pray, it takes time to read the Qur’an, and it takes time to visit the sick. Every moment should be spent in seeking Allah's pleasure.

What we are really required to sacrifice is not our time, but it is the things for which we spend it. Our real challenge is how we can bring our selves to sacrifice these things and how we can devote our time to Almighty Allah.

Worldly possessions and money: Love and desire for worldly things is not a bad thing, in fact, it may be good. What makes this world evil, is when we forget that all this has been placed at our disposal for the duration of this world only; as a means to real and eternal goals. When means become ends, they bring misery by diverting us away from what is of real value to us.

We should always remember:

• Nothing belongs to us

• Whatever great value we place on worldly things, will be worthless with our last breath

• Only by giving it away for the sake of Allah can we receive it back, with manifold increase.

(What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure.) (An-Nahl 16:96)

Life: a time may come when you will be required to sacrifice your life for the sake of Allah. To lay down your life is the highest act of putting the Shahadah into practice. At that time, you deserve to be called a martyr in the cause of Allah. Speaking of such a person Almighty Allah says:

(And call not those who are slain in the way of Allah "dead." Nay, they are living, only ye perceive not.) (Al-Baqarah 2:154)

At times we may need to sacrifice our family, friendships, views and opinions, ego, and even our lifestyles. On a societal level, we have to sacrifice our own cultural biases for the sake of Almighty Allah. How many of us do not even have close friends who come from other cultures or ethnicities, and the thought of marrying outside of our culture is unimaginable. Even during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sacrifices of pride and social status were made and a feeling of brotherhood developed between the Ansar and the Muhajirun.

The Example of Ibrahim

Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) was tried and tested in every conceivable way. His father, his family, and political powers all opposed him, but he forsook them for the sake of Allah. He was banished from his home. He wandered through the deserts and forests. Ultimately, he put a knife to the throat of his own son. Pleasing Allah was the objective, and the objective which he fulfilled.

(And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said: "I will make thee an Imam to the Nations.) (Al-Baqarah 2:124)

In these times, how can we not sacrifice?