In the Torah: the book of Genesis, chapter 22, verses 1-19, we read that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) was about to sacrifice his son when the Angel of the Lord stopped him. Abraham (pbuh) looked and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. He took the ram and sacrificed it, for a burnt offering, as a substitute for his son.
I, as a follower of Isa (His peace be upon us), God’s Word (Kalimatu Allah) made flesh, also have an Adha. Isa Al-Masih, Jesus the Anointed One (hpbuu) is God’s Lamb as Prophet Yahya (pbuh), John the Baptist, called Him in the Injeel, the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 29: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”. Prophet Isa (hpbuu), my Avenger (Waliy*), shed His blood as God’s Lamb, my Adha, to wash God’s shame of us disobeying Him, thus becoming the substitute sacrifice. With God’s honor restored in us, I can approach His throne of mercy and grace with confidence and full joy.
Al-Adha shows me how Merciful God (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is. Prophet Isa (hpbuu), the Lamb of God, had a:
- Unique birth as He was the only person to be born of a virgin. The birth of Prophet Isa (hpbuu) was not the result of man’s will, but the will of God (swt).
- Unique life of purity, honesty, and obedience to the Law of God (swt). He had creative powers, healed the sick, and resurrected the dead. He lived a sinless life and was the greatest teacher that ever lived on this Earth.
- Sacrificial death: Prophet Isa (hpbuu) was righteous, close to God (swt), and the Defender who died as my Substitute. The ram died so the son of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) could be set free. So God (swt) sacrificed Isa (hpbuu) as His ram, His lamb, to cover His shame and set me free. Alhamdu-li-lah (Praise be to God).
- Miraculous resurrection: because He was righteous and did not deserve death, the tomb could not hold Him. Through His resurrection I have the assurance that I am forgiven to enjoy Eternal Life in the Kingdom of God (swt).
So Prophet Isa is my true Adha, as in Him the Justice of God (swt) was satisfied through His shed blood as payment for the penalty of sin. Now, forgiven and ransomed humans can chose to submit to God (swt) and experience His forgiveness and love in its plenitude.
Prophet Job (pbuh) said wonderful words I would like to share with you, in The book of Job, in the Torah, chapter 19, verses 25 & 26: “I know that my Eldest Brother (Avenger)** lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.”
All praise be given to the Only One True God (swt)!
* This word in Arabic is “waliy” with the same meanings as the Hebrew word below.
** “Avenger” (JB) – The original Hebrew word “goël” indicates a person’s closest family member with the responsibility to defend, redeem, or avenge the honor of the family name.
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