One night Ibrahim had a bad dream. He dreamt Allah told him to sacrifice Ismail. Ibrahim thought it was shaytan playing nasty tricks on him.
The next night Ibrahim had the same horrid dream. Ibrahim knew that Allah would only ask him to do such a thing if he had good reason. Even though he loved his son dearly, he was prepared to do this difficult thing for Allah.
Ibraim told Ismail they had to go to Mount Arafat. He took a knife and a rope with him. On the way they passed a place called Mina. The devil, Shaytan, came to Ibrahim and tried to talk him out of sacrificing his son.
Ibrahim turned his back on him and would not listen. When they reached Mount Arafat, Ibrahim told Ismail what Allah wanted him to do. Ismail listened and accepted what was to happen. He was an exceptional child. He too was a great prophet.
Ismail told his father to tie his hands and legs and blindfold himself so he would not struggle and make his father even more upset than he was going to be and Ibrahim was blindfolded so he would not see his son suffer.
Ibrahim did as Ismail had said. He then took the knife and did what Allah had told him to do. When he took the blindfold from his eyes he looked down, not at his son but at a dead ram. Ismail was at his side.
Ibrahim was afraid. He thought he had disobeyed but then he heard a voice telling him not to worry. Allah looks after his followers. Ibrahim and Ismail had passed a difficult test. Each year, during the month of Dhul Hijjah, many Muslims, from all over the world, travel to Makkah. They want to remember what Ibrahim and Ismail did. In the month of Dhul Hijjah these pilgrims go to Makkah, Mina and Arafat.
They visit places where Ibrahim and Ismail lived and preached. They give a sacrifice just as Allah commanded Ibrahim to do. The pilgrims sacrifice animals in memory of the deed.
We must obey Allah's commands as Ibrahim and Ismail did. We obey by doing the things we know are right, praying, obeying our parents and always telling the truth.
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