The Role of Qurbani in National Security: A Wake-Up Call
Category :
Islam
Every year on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. Eid signifies joy, and Qurbani (sacrifice) represents devotion, offering, and giving. It is a festival of joy that marks the act of offering one’s beloved possessions to Allah. The word "Qurbani" originates from the Arabic word "qurb," meaning to come near, gain closeness, or achieve proximity. Essentially, Qurbani is the voluntary offering of something dearly beloved in the hope of attaining Allah’s pleasure and closeness. This sacrifice can be worldly or material, such as a dear possession, wealth, business attachment, a cherished child raised with utmost care, or even one’s precious life, which we constantly fear losing.
The origin of Qurbani goes back to the significant event in which our, Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (A.S.) following a divine command he received in a dream. Allah was pleased with Ibrahim's intention and submission and replaced Ismail with an animal as a sacrifice. Therefore, those of us who offer animal sacrifices every year in an attempt to earn Allah’s satisfaction must always remember this incident and the mindset of sacrifice shown by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.). He surrendered his son to fulfill Allah’s command and gain His pleasure — that is the true essence of Qurbani. That is its lesson. Had the tradition today required sacrificing one's most beloved possession instead of animals, many would hesitate to participate — a thought that raises serious questions.
According to psychologists, a person’s two most cherished things are their own life and their possessions. No one wants to lose either. Therefore, Allah has made sacrificing these two essential to being a true believer. Allah says:
“True believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, and then doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. It is they who are the truthful.” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 15)
All divine commands apply to the true believers, and thus, so does Qurbani.
While the global Muslim community is united in performing Hajj and celebrating Eid, over 80 million Muslims are refugees, displaced ,and helpless across the world. In Bangladesh alone, nearly 2.2 million Rohingya Muslims live as refugees. Most Muslim countries in the Middle East are embroiled in war, conflict, and tension. Palestine has been under siege for 75 years, with people being bombed and gunned down like birds. Meanwhile, powerful Muslim-majority countries remain silent, prioritizing their self-interest. While the West plays with Muslim blood, much of the Muslim world seeks Allah’s pleasure through ritual sacrifice, forgetting the broader context.
That was the global context. Now, let us look at Bangladesh. Internally, the country is under serious threat:
1. China considers Bangladesh a crucial corridor in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
2. The West aims to establish a military base in the Indian Ocean to counter China and Russia, eyeing the Chattogram port as a strategic point.
3. India wants to use Bangladesh’s land and sea routes to secure its northeastern states (the Seven Sisters).
4. The Arakan Army’s rise in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has forced thousands of Rohingyas into Bangladesh. The UN, backed by the U.S., seeks to enter Rakhine through Bangladesh’s territory, citing humanitarian reasons — a move that poses a serious security threat. If approved, it could allow U.S. troops to operate freely in both Bangladesh and Myanmar in their interests.
These strategic interests of global powers pose a grave security risk to Bangladesh. Internally, political and religious factions are divided, resorting to violence, arson, theft, and lawlessness. The law enforcement agencies' failure has further endangered public safety. The U.S. has previously invaded other Muslim nations, citing minor reasons, leading to their destruction. Being a Muslim-majority country, Bangladesh is similarly vulnerable to extremist narratives and foreign agendas. We must seriously evaluate these geopolitical conspiracies.
Following the 2024 student movement, Bangladesh’s political climate remains unstable. The long-standing ruling party, Awami League, was ousted over allegations of corruption, money laundering, election fraud, nepotism, and authoritarianism. New political forces have emerged, including the National Citizens' Party (NCP), formed by students, which also faces accusations of abuse of power. The previously sidelined BNP is accused of extortion, while religious political parties misuse Islam for political gain. Although there are calls for political alliances, national unity is never prioritized. As a result, the country repeatedly falls into security crises. If we continue our internal conflicts, Bangladesh may soon become another Iraq, Syria, or Palestine.
What We Must Do Now:
First, we must understand the gravity of Bangladesh’s security crisis. To overcome it, the nation must take a tough but essential decision: to selflessly unite and prepare to defend the country by giving everything we have. This is the real lesson of Eid al-Adha. Sacrificing an animal and eating its meat alone does not bring Allah’s pleasure — that is a symbolic act. The true Qurbani is to offer one’s most beloved things — life and wealth — for the sake of Allah. Cows, goats, sheep, and camels are not our dearest possessions. Life and wealth are. It’s time to give both to protect Bangladesh from Western imperialism. Just like in 1971, when 75 million Bengalis fought and won independence by sacrificing everything, today’s citizens must unite again with the same spirit.
If we look at Islamic history, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) endured extreme persecution during his 13 years in Makkah while preaching Tawheed. He never backed down, nor bowed to falsehood. After many sacrifices, he migrated to Madinah, where he was welcomed as a leader and established an ideal Islamic state. Soon, conspiracies and wars emerged from all sides, and he and his companions gave everything to defend Madinah. Their immense sacrifices preserved the city, and Islam spread across half the world. Had they not sacrificed, then Islam would not have reached us, and we wouldn't have our identity as Muslims. Hence, safeguarding a nation’s existence requires its people to internalize the lesson of Qurbani and exhibit ultimate self-sacrifice.
Therefore, those who truly seek piety and are spending thousands to offer Qurbani for Allah’s pleasure must now be ready to sacrifice everything to defend this nation. Only then will the country, society, and people be saved. Otherwise, we too will suffer the fate of Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Palestine.
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