KURANDAN DERSLER ÇIKARMAK 🌐: PURPOSE

🐏 Qurbani: Gratitude for Production, Purification of Society, Orientation to the Sacred House

Qurbani: Gratitude for Production, Purification of Society, Orientation to the Sacred House

The Abrahamic call that begins with the construction of the Kaaba is not merely architectural—it is a comprehensive system of social consciousness, orientation, and production. One of the deepest manifestations of this system is hedy—the dedicated sacrificial offering. In the Qur’an, qurbani (sacrifice) is not treated merely as a ritual, but as a nusuk—a meaningful act of devotion that spiritualizes human production and purifies social behavior.

1. The Relationship Between Production and Sacrifice: Dedicating Gain to God

Humans produce: they raise livestock, till the land, labor and invest effort. The Qur’anic concept of hedy represents offering a portion of that production toward the Sacred House with a consciousness of gratitude.

“Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah; rather, it is your piety (taqwā) that reaches Him.”
(Surah al-Ḥajj 22:37)

What is emphasized here is not the physical outcome of the sacrifice, but the intention behind it. The purpose is not merely to slaughter an animal, but to consciously dedicate part of one’s production to God—thus disciplining the ego and detaching from material-centric tendencies.

2. Hedy: Social Balance Directed Toward the Kaaba

The sacrifice directed toward the Kaaba is not just an individual act of worship. It also signifies:

Social solidarity
Care for the hungry
Sharing of wealth produced
Transforming private gain into communal responsibility

“Eat from them yourselves, and feed the contented and the needy.”
(Surah al-Ḥajj 22:36)

This sharing softens class differences, combats hunger, and ensures that personal production contributes to societal healing. Thus, hedy becomes an Abrahamic act of balance against social fracture.

3. The Kaaba: Qibla of All Productions

After building the Kaaba, Abraham prayed: “Show us our rites of worship (menāsik)” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:128), indicating that he sought to construct not just stone walls, but an ethical and social structure. Sacrifice is one of the pillars of this structure. The Kaaba, in this sense, becomes:

A center to which all human production is directed
A sanctifying and transforming focus for gain

This orientation prevents the Sacred House from becoming a hub of commerce, turning it instead into a center of submission:

“Allah made the Kaaba… a place of standing (qiyām) for the people, and also the hedy and marked sacrificial animals…”
(Surah al-Mā’idah 5:97)

Thus, sacrifice makes the Kaaba a center not of desire, but of devotion.

4. Not a Material Gift, But a Moral Offering

The Qur’an never speaks of presenting gold, jewelry, or material gifts to the Kaaba. Rather, through hedy, the sacrificed animal symbolizes:

A mode of conduct
A purified intention
A grateful and devoted submission

If wealth produced is offered with ego, idolatry, or ostentation, it ceases to be sacrifice—it becomes shirk (polytheism).

This is why the Abrahamic call is not “Come to pilgrimage,” but rather: “Come purified.”

Conclusion: The Productive Human, the Purified Society, the Revived Sacred House

In the Qur’anic vision, sacrifice is not the slaughter of an animal but the sacrifice of intention. When the productive human dedicates their gain to God, they tear down the inner walls of ego. This submission nurtures a just, cooperative society. And so, the Kaaba becomes not a decorated structure, but a revived center—one that is not merely circumambulated, but consciously oriented toward.

Understanding the Question and the Problem

To solve a problem or answer a test question correctly, you must first understand the question accurately. A student who has studied diligently for a year may still give a wrong answer if they misread the question, even if they know the subject well. The goal of the exam is to answer correctly; the preparation is merely a means to that end.

The Balance Between Purpose and Means in Religion

The same principle applies to religion. If the objectives and tools of religion are confused, our reckoning on the Day of Judgment may not turn out as we hope. In this delicate balance, the influence of Satan should not be overlooked. Satan deceives people with the idea that they are already on the right path and that God's mercy will surely save them. He sanctifies the means and causes people to forget the true ends.

The Goals of Religion

Equalizing the rich and the poor: Standing side by side in prayer, experiencing hunger through fasting, sharing through zakat and charity. All of these are wealth- and equality-oriented. The Qur’an states: “Indeed, you love wealth with immense love.”
Truthfulness: Avoiding lies, standing up for the truth.
Justice: Upholding rights and being fair.
Equality: Establishing a classless society where everyone is treated equally.
Protecting the oppressed: Looking after orphans, the poor, workers, the hungry, and the homeless; sharing and supporting them.
Opposing exploitation: Rejecting usury, unjust gain, corruption, and economic domination. Ensuring the fair and just distribution of wealth.

The Means of Religion

Prayer (Salat):
Its core purpose is to strengthen brotherhood, care for those in need, and address societal problems. When the purpose is forgotten, the form takes over: people focus on how many units to pray, how to raise the hands, whether a turban is worn, and similar details. In the end, it becomes empty rituals—memorized words with no understanding.

Yet, the Prophet would turn to his congregation after prayer and ask, “Does anyone have a need?” This tradition was later forgotten and replaced with silent recitations.

Fasting:
Its aim is to understand the condition of the hungry and develop empathy. In the Qur’an, feeding the hungry is likened to seeking “the Face of Allah” (wajh Allah). But today, Ramadan often becomes a season of extravagant banquets and lavish invitations. Instead of empathy with the poor, it turns into a display.

Pilgrimage (Hajj), Zakat, Sacrifice (Qurban):
All are intended for sharing and social unity. The Qur’an clearly states:

“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but your piety.” (Hajj 22:37)

Means Are Sanctified, Goals Are Forgotten

As a society, we sanctify the tools and lose sight of the goals:

We revere fasting itself, not being with the poor.
We focus on the movements of prayer, not standing up against injustice.
We emphasize the slaughter in sacrifice, not the unity it’s meant to foster.
We obsess over avoiding pork, not avoiding excess consumption and greed.

Misunderstanding Leads to Failure

People assume:

That fasting one month is enough.
That bowing and prostrating five times a day guarantees salvation.
That circling the Kaaba seven times is a virtue in itself.
That slaughtering an animal completes worship.
That avoiding showing a strand of hair or eating pork makes one the best believer.

But these are only means. Those who do not understand the purpose, yet think fulfilling the rituals alone will save them, are unaware that they are failing the test.

Because from the very beginning,
they do not understand the question—or the problem.

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6 Mayıs 2025 Salı

Qurbani: Gratitude for Production, Purification of Society, Orientation to the Sacred House 🐏