EduAsiaNews, Yogyakarta – The Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Prof. Dr. Achmad Nurmadi, M.Sc., reminded Muslims that the essence of the qurban ritual does not lie merely in the slaughtering of animals, but rather in the piety, sincerity, and social compassion that emerge from it.
Eid al-Adha as a Momentum to Eliminate Stinginess
He called on the public to make qurban a meaningful occasion to eliminate selfishness and cultivate social awareness within society.
The statement was delivered by Nurmadi while serving as the khatib during the Eid al-Adha 1447 H prayer held at the UMY Campus Courtyard on Wednesday morning (May 27). The prayer commenced at 6:30 a.m. WIB, led by Imam Nanda Ardika, Imam of the UMY Campus Mosque, and was attended by members of the academic community as well as residents living around the campus.
“The qurban ritual we perform is not merely about slaughtering animals. Qurban carries a message to eliminate greed and excessive attachment to worldly matters, while fostering social compassion, as the meat is distributed to the underprivileged,” Nurmadi stated in his sermon.
Nurmadi based his remarks on the words of Allah in Surah Al-Hajj verse 37, which states that neither the meat nor the blood of the sacrificial animals reaches Allah, but rather the piety of those who offer the sacrifice. According to him, this is the core essence of the qurban ritual.
Emulating the Story of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail
In his sermon, the UMY Professor of Smart Governance also encouraged worshippers to emulate the story of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail as a foundation of values. He highlighted three key values that should be embraced from the story:
Absolute obedience to Allah,
Sincerity and patience, and
Willingness to make sacrifices.
Nurmadi also linked the spirit of qurban to the value of unity among Muslims. He noted that during the Hajj pilgrimage, millions of Muslims from different ethnicities, nations, and social backgrounds stand equally before Allah without any distinction. According to him, the same spirit should be reflected in everyday social life.
“Let Eid al-Adha become a momentum to strengthen our relationship with Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala through obedience, strengthen our relationship with others through compassion, and strengthen our relationship with ourselves through sincerity and patience,” he added.
At the conclusion of his sermon, Nurmadi also encouraged the congregation to improve ethical conduct in family and social life, while maintaining good health as a primary asset in worship and in contributing positively to others. (ID)
