The Legacy of Ibrahim(A.S): What Does Sacrifice Look Like in 2025?

An Unshaken Faith in a Shaken World

As Dhul-Hijjah approaches each year, the Ummah reflects on the Legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S)—his Tawakkul, sacrifice, and ultimate test of Emaan. But in 2025, as we navigate a world of political turmoil, economic strain, and moral confusion, Ibrahim’s (A.S) legacy is not just a story of the past— it’s a blueprint for the present and future Ummah.

Sacrifice in today’s world is not just about the physical act of Qurbani; it’s about sacrificing our time, our comfort, our prejudices, and our attachment to worldly distractions—all for the sake of Allahﷻ. Ibrahim (A.S) didn’t pass his test through passive faith; he had to embrace struggle, resist temptation, and silence the whispers of Shaytaan. We too must struggle against our own desires, against societal pressures, and most importantly against the misguidance of Shaytaan.

The Ultimate Test: What Does It Mean for Us Today?

When Allahﷻ commanded Ibrahim (A.S) to sacrifice his son, it was not merely a test of his love for his child—it was a test of his priorities. Would he place his emotional attachment above divine decree? Would he hesitate when called to surrender what was most precious to him?

In 2025, our tests are different but no less challenging:

• Sacrificing Time for the Sake of Allahﷻ – In an era of endless distractions, how much of our day is spent in worship, charity, or seeking knowledge? Are we willing to sacrifice scrolling through social media to read the Qur’an?
• Sacrificing Wealth for the Needy – Giving charity feels harder than ever with rising inflation and financial insecurity. But Ibrahim (A.S) teaches us that provision ultimately comes from Allahﷻ—and when we give regardless of our fears, we are rewarded with Barakah.
• Sacrificing Ego for Unity – The Ummah today is fractured by nationalism, sectarianism, and petty disputes. Ibrahim (A.S) was a man who broke idols—both literal and figurative. Are we willing to dismantle the idols of pride and division within ourselves?

Patience in the Face of Modern Trials

After his most significant test, Ibrahim (A.S) faced another —leaving his wife Hajar (A.S) and infant son Ismail (A.S) in the barren desert of Makkah. Imagine the weight of that moment—the uncertainty, the fear, the absolute reliance on Allah’sﷻ promise.

 Today, many of us walk our own deserts:

• Refugees fleeing war, forced to leave everything behind with nothing but Tawakkul.
• Parents who struggle to raise righteous children in a world that glorifies sin.
• Muslims battling loneliness in societies that mock their faith.

Hajar (A.S) ran between Safa and Marwa, desperate for water, yet she never lost hope. Her struggle became the foundation of Sa’i—a ritual followed by millions in Hajj. Our struggles, too, can become acts of worship if we endure them with patience and trust in Allahﷻ.

Obedience Over Convenience

Ibrahim (A.S) did not question Allah’sﷻ command, even when it defied human logic. Today, we live in a world where morality is dictated by trends, where halal and haram are blurred for the sake of convenience.

• Will we obey Allahﷻ when society tells us to compromise our values?
• Will we stand firm in prayer when work pressures us to skip it?
• Will we speak the truth even if it costs us popularity?

Shaytaan’s tactics have evolved—he no longer whispers just in our ears; he floods our screens, workplaces, and communities with his evil influence. But like Ibrahim (A.S), we must declare: "Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds." (Qur’an, 6:162).

Embodying Ibrahim (AS) in 2025

The story of Ibrahim (A.S) does not end with the sacrifice—it ends with a ram provided by Allahﷻ, a legacy of faith that spans millennia, a test passed, and an Ummah that continues to honour his example today.

This Dhul-Hijjah, let’s ask ourselves:

• What are we willing to sacrifice? – Not just an animal, but our bad habits, our grudges, our negligence in worship.
• Where do we need more patience? – In our families, our finances, our struggles with dunya.
• How can we strengthen our obedience? – Through deepening our understanding of our Deen, standing up for justice, and resisting the traps of Shaytaan.

Our Ummah is built on the spirit of sacrifice—feeding the hungry, supporting orphans, and standing with the oppressed. Let us honour Ibrahim (A.S) by aiming to embody his legacy through our everyday actions. 

When the next generation looks back at 2025, will they see Muslims who compromised, or will they see believers who, like Ibrahim (A.S), chose Allahﷻ over everything and everyone else? 

The choice, my dear brothers and sisters, is ours.

"And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth?" (4:125).