Eid ul Adha Mubarak

Thoughts on this Eid ul Adha were triggered by a thoughtful quote picture suggesting that real sacrifice took place in the conversation between the Father (Ibrahim AS) & the Son (Ismail AS), the Ram was just the redemption. And like we have reduced the spirit of so many things to rituals, we do 'sacrifice' animals every 10 Zil Hajj but seems to have forgotten the conversation which gave birth to this great Islamic tradition.  Allah swt didn't need blood of Ismail AS nor does he need the blood of billions of animals sacrificed in keeping this tradition alive. He swt just wants to benefit us by remembering the story of two peerless Men (AS) in human history. In those glorious moments, Father & Son (AS) set the standards of 'Belief', 'Sacrifice' & 'Obedience' & no wonder if any tradition that needs to be kept alive & cherished for the rest of the time, it had to be this unparalleled readiness of sacrificial father & unconditional submission of the son to the will of Allah. Since Quran is the epitome of perfect speech, in few precise words, The Owner of Heavens & Earth has taken us to the greatest sacrifice scene in His Kingdom between Mina & Jamraat where that (somewhat forgotten) conversation took place:
Allah SWT said:

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْىَ قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرٰى فِى الْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرٰى  ۚ قَالَ يٰٓأَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ  ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِنْ شَآءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِينَ
"And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think. He said, O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast."
(QS. As-Saaffaat 37: Verse 102)

Revisiting this amazing moment may add some value to our sacrifice. Bearings have to be correct to keep the direction right. Qurbani at Eid ul Adha is not just a ritual or bakra selfie fest or a social show off, it is commemoration of unprecedented sacrifice, so loved by Allah that we celebrate it every year for a good reason.
May we keep the spirit of this tradition alive.
May Allah accept our sacrifice. Ameen
Eid ul Adha Mubarak