1. A Christian should not think that the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice has nothing to do with him or her for the following reasons:
a. This feast commemorates a Biblical event—the time when Abraham nearly sacrificed his son (Gen. 22).
b. One may be offered sacrificed meat to eat. A Christian must decide whether it is okay to accept this meat or not.
c. The story behind the Sacrifice is an opportunity to share God’s truth. We can be equipped to share Christ in an appropriate way with Muslim neighbours and friends.
2. The Qur’anic version of this event is found in Surah Saffaat 37:102-111.
a. Big Difference– The son’s name is not mentioned but Muslim scholars say the son was Ishmael.
b. Big Similarity — The essence of the story is the same. God stops Abraham from harming the son.
3. The sacrifice symbolizes dedication to God’s will like Abraham.
“This custom of holy sacrifice is nothing but a testimony of man’s self-sacrifice and humble submission to the will of God; his implicit faith and belief in Him, his determination and courage to bear the burden of sacrifice.”
4. The sacrifice is only an act of worship. Orthodox Muslim belief states that the blood of animals cannot take away sins. (Qur’an 22:38)
5. It has parallels to an Old Testament sacrifice called the “fellowship” or “peace” offering found in Lev. 3 and 7–
a. It was offered to give worship and thanks to God.
b. It was not offered to obtain forgiveness of sins.
c. The offerer himself could perform the sacrifice, instead of a priest.
d. The offerer and his family partook of the meat.
6. Is it okay to accept sacrificed meat, since God never commanded this particular sacrifice?
a. It is neither offered to an idol, nor does accepting it mean you are accepting Islam.
b. In the early church, some Christians participated in Jewish sacrifices even though they knew that Christ’s sacrifice ended the need for any other. (Acts 21:26)
c. Sacrificed meat is given as a gesture of friendship. You should thank God that your Muslim acquaintance values you enough to desire to include you in his circle of friends and family.
7. How does the Feast of Sacrifice point to Jesus Christ?
The Biblical roots of this Muslim festival are unmistakeable. Check out George’s online gospel tract which uses the Feast of Sacrifice as a springboard to teach the substitionary atonement of Christ. Click here.
