Central Eid al-Adha Khutbah : “Eid Joy Marked by Gratitude and Dignity”

Dear brothers and sisters,

Eid al-Adha is one of the most blessed days of the year. It is a day of prayer, takbīr, sacrifice (qurbān), gratitude, and drawing closer to Allah, the Most High. It is also a day of joy—but not a joy that is empty or superficial. Rather, it is a joy filled with faith, obedience, and awareness of Allah’s countless blessings.

Allah, the Most High, says:

“Say: ‘In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy—in that let them rejoice. It is better than all that they accumulate.’”
(Surah Yūnus, 10:58)

The first generations of Muslims understood that Allah’s bounty and mercy mentioned in this verse refer to Islam, the Qur’an, and the guidance that Allah has granted to His servants. Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said that Allah’s bounty is Islam, and His mercy is the Qur’an. (Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī, commentary on Yūnus, 58).

Therefore, the joy of Eid is, above all, the joy of guidance, prayer, and the opportunity to draw nearer to Allah. We rejoice because Allah has granted us life to witness these blessed days, enabled us to proclaim the takbīrs, perform the Eid prayer, offer the sacrifice, and share goodness with others.

The believer rejoices but never forgets the One who bestowed these blessings upon him. His joy is not one of arrogance, vanity, or ostentation. Allah, the Most High, relates what was said to Qārūn:

“Do not exult arrogantly, for indeed Allah does not love the arrogant.”
(Surah Al-Qaṣaṣ, 28:76)

Mujāhid (may Allah have mercy on him) explained that this verse condemns pride and arrogance caused by worldly possessions. (Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, commentary on Al-Qaṣaṣ, 76).

Dignified joy says:

“Alhamdulillah, this is a blessing from Allah.”

Arrogant joy says:

“Look at me and all that I possess.”

Dignified joy makes a person more humble, more generous, and closer to others. Arrogant joy, on the other hand, leads one to show off, belittle others, and forget that everything one owns can disappear at any moment.

Eid al-Adha teaches us, above all, that what truly matters is not outward appearances but the condition of the heart. Allah, the Most High, says:

“Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but what reaches Him is your piety.”
(Surah Al-Ḥajj, 22:37)

The sacrifice is not merely the act of slaughtering an animal. It is a symbol of obedience, gratitude, and the willingness to give up a portion of one’s wealth for the sake of Allah’s pleasure. It also teaches us that our joy should not be selfish. Part of the sacrificial meat is kept for our families, part is given to relatives and neighbours, and part is distributed to those most in need.

True Eid joy is not simply having a table full of food, but ensuring that others also rejoice because of us. Let our parents rejoice at our visit, our relatives at our phone call, children at our gifts, and the poor and lonely at our help.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the most dignified of people, yet he was always cheerful. ‘Abdullāh ibn al-Ḥārith (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“I never saw anyone who smiled more than the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, 3641)

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

“Your smile to your brother is an act of charity.”
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, 1956)

Dignity, therefore, does not mean being stern, harsh, or cold. A believer can be steadfast in faith while remaining gentle, smiling, and pleasant towards others. His smile does not diminish his honour; rather, it reflects the beauty of his character.

Eid is an opportunity to draw closer to one another. If we have broken ties with someone, let us strive to restore them. If we have hurt someone, let us seek forgiveness. If someone is lonely, let us visit them. If there is discord within the family, let this Eid be the beginning of reconciliation.

Let us not allow arguments, backbiting, excess, or rivalry to spoil the joy of Eid. Let us not measure the value of Eid by the price of our clothes, the abundance of our food, or the number of photos we post. The true value of Eid is measured by the gratitude of the heart, accepted acts of worship, charity given, and the happiness we bring into the lives of others.

Let us rejoice, but never transgress the limits set by Allah.

Let us celebrate, but never neglect our prayers.

Let us enjoy Allah’s blessings, but never forget the One who granted them.

Let us visit people, especially those whom others rarely visit.

Let us share not only the meat of our sacrifice but also kind words, smiles, forgiveness, and sincere supplications.

May our Eid joy be pure, balanced, and dignified. May it leave behind gratitude, reconciliation, and righteous deeds—not regret and wounded hearts.

We ask Allah, the Most High, to accept our acts of worship, our supplications, and our sacrifices. We ask Him to mend our relationships, strengthen our families, bring comfort to those who are grieving, grant healing to the sick, and assist all those in need.

We ask Him to make our joy an expression of gratitude, our gratitude an act of worship, and our Eid a day of closeness, forgiveness, and unity.

Eid Mubarak!

(Central Eid al-Adha Sermon by the Muslim Religious Leader, Hafiz Hilmija Redžić, on May 22, 2026, at the Dudelange Multi-purpose Hall, organized by the Islamic Center “Ihsan”)