Sumber ilustrasi: Magnific
26 Mei 2026 12.37 WIB – Akar
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Desanomia [26.05.2026] Qurban is often viewed as just an annual activity revolving around physical matters: buying livestock, slaughtering it, and distributing the meat. Such a perspective narrows the meaning of qurban into nothing more than a routine social occasion repeated every year. In fact, when brought into everyday life, this act of worship becomes a genuine breakthrough against human selfishness and a concrete expression of the search for a deeper meaning of life.
Amid today’s fast-paced lifestyle, people are frequently trapped in a race to accumulate wealth and recognition. Qurban serves as a pause that reminds us that what we call “personal property” is, in truth, a trust with a social function for others. Through the act of relinquishing something valuable, we are encouraged to cultivate generosity of heart so that we are not enslaved by worldly possessions.
On a more personal level, qurban is a direct exercise in reducing one’s ego. The animal being sacrificed symbolises the negative traits that often reside within the human heart, such as greed, arrogance, and the desire always to prevail over others. Slaughtering the sacrificial animal represents cutting away these destructive tendencies so that the clearer and more humane side of ourselves may better guide the way we think and act.
The historical account of the Prophet Ibrahim and the Prophet Ismail also contains a powerful illustration of the inner struggles people often experience. In real life, Ismail symbolises the personal interests we cherish most deeply, whether career, status, ambition, or future plans. The true test was not about taking a life, but about the mental readiness to place personal interests beneath greater principles of truth.
Through this act of worship, the direction of life shifts from the habit of “taking” to the habit of “giving”. Modern society often measures success by how much one can acquire and personally enjoy. Qurban reverses this logic by showing that a person’s true worth is measured by how much benefit can be shared for the common good, thereby creating balance within society.
This tangible act also proves capable of tearing down barriers within communities. In the modern age, people tend to live in isolation within their own worlds because of busyness or constant attachment to gadgets. The qurban procession encourages everyone to leave their homes, gather together, and work collectively without regard to background, allowing all people to stand on equal footing.
The sense of togetherness that emerges then directly contributes to a fairer distribution of welfare. The sharing of qurban meat is not restricted by differences in group or social class. The fundamental message conveyed is that fulfilment of basic needs and happiness should be experienced collectively by all levels of society at the same moment, thereby nurturing lasting compassion and solidarity.
Furthermore, qurban teaches the maturity required to let go of something without resentment or ulterior motives. Many emotional pressures in modern life arise from an inability to accept loss or failure. By participating in qurban, people train themselves in a mentality of sufficiency — a conviction that sharing will not diminish what one possesses, but instead expand inner peace.
Qurban understood through this simple reflection is not about the blood or the meat being distributed, but about a transformation of attitude. It is an annual exercise in preserving humanity, togetherness, and humility in the midst of a world that is becoming increasingly indifferent. Qurban stands as an enduring reminder that, in order to become a complete human being, a part of one’s selfishness must always be sacrificed.
What do you think? (njd)
Note: This article was made as part of a dedicated effort to bring everyday life around us to our minds.
