I am not a moderator in this forum, but on this occasion Alexei is completely correct, and may I suggest that if you want to discuss the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son that it be discussed elsewhere. I do have specific reasons for keeping this thread on the hajj, and following tonights viewing on television, will have more questions to ask the Muslims here, that will need to keep the thread in it's original intent.
I do realise that there is equal importance in the subjects you guys want to discuss, but please open another thread and discuss it there.
Alexei, another question for you based on your last response to me... does the Qur'an explain why Abraham's son should be sacrificed? Why would God require such a thing if blood sacrifice was not a requirement for the forgiveness of sin and to test someone's heart attitude and not their actions?
Secondly, if it was a one off situation, why is the practice of sacrifice still undertaken by Muslims. Yes, it is meant to feed the poor, making it a good deed, but surely, if it is an expectation, it is therefore not as "weighted" as a good deed as doing something similar unexpected at other times of the year?
In the qur'an this storyof Abraham is mentioned 24 times in the first 87 chapters. The story of the Jews escape from Egypt is mentioned 27 times, yet despite the importance of the passover to the Jew and their escape from Egypt, it's missed out completely in the Qur'anic recitiation.
Now, two questions.. why is sacrifice still an important part of the hajj, when it is evidently not a requirement for salvation, and yet undertaking the hajj is. ( I understand that according to Islam, if you die whilst on hajj, you go automatically to heaven?) and secondly, why is sin and forgiveness for sin such an important part of the hajj, when so few can undertake it?
and perhaps a question for another thread??? Why is the jewish passover lamb and it's sacrifice, not a part of the Qur'an, but the Abrahamic sacrificial ram with it's provision by God, to stop either son being sacrificed retained in Islam?
Peace to you all
Carol