Honorable Muslims!
Qurbani is more than just sacrificing an animal; it is a quest for piety and becoming close to Allah (swt). It is a heartfelt adherence to our Almighty Lord’s (swt) commandment, “Say, ‘Surely my prayer, my worship, my life, and my death are all for Allah—Lord of all worlds.’”1
The ‘Eid al-Adha, on the other hand, is granted to Allah the Almighty to His pious servants.
Dear Believers!
The days of ‘eid are the days to give out and share in the way of Allah (swt). The days of ‘eid are about remembering and being remembered. Let us therefore observe the rights of neighbors, relatives, the poor, the orphan, and those in need.
The sıla-i rahim is the essence of the ‘eid. Starting from our parents, let us visit our elders and friends, relatives, and neighbors, and be the recipients of their prayers. Let us share the pleasure of ‘eid with the sick, the elderly, and the abandoned. Let us not deprive our children and youth, who represent our future, of the spiritual ambiance of ‘eid.
The days of ‘eid are exceptional times where the brotherhood in faith peaks. So, let us heal broken and saddened hearts with the ‘eid’s beauty and abundance of divine blessings.
Dear Muslims!
The days of ‘eid are the days of enhancing our sense of being an ‘ummah. Let us support our oppressed and victimized brothers and sisters in religion, who welcome the ‘eid in blood and tears, through our verbal and non-verbal prayers. Let us supplicate to our Lord Almighty (swt) for the Muslim lands to enjoy days of ‘eid in peace and security.
I would like to take this opportunity to pray to Allah the Almighty (swt) to make the ‘Eid al-Adha conducive to calmness for our souls, barakah for our homes, and peace for our country and the Islamic world. ‘Eid Mubarak; I wish you all a happy ‘Eid!
[1] An’am, 6/162.
EID KHUTBA of TOKYO CAMII “‘EID AL-ADHA: OUR JOY OF GETTING CLOSER TO ALLAH” (PDF)