The Qur‘an: an Encyclopedia
Sacrifice is a religious rite in which an object is offered to a divinity in order to establish, maintain or restore the relationship of a human being to the sacred order. In its original usage sacrifice denoted only a religious practice, however, over time, the meaning of the word has expanded. In Arabic qurban signifies sacrifice defined as an offering to God.
The root verb is qariba or qaruba, meaning to be near to, approach or offer. Sacrifice in Islamic terms is whatever a slave offers to approach Allah’s satisfaction and to express gratitude and appreciation for His bounties and favours. The 
promises those who offer thanks to Him to increase his gifts to them: ‘If you give thanks, I will give you more’ (14.7).
The first sacrifice was offered to Allah by the two sons of Adam, Qabil (Cain) and Habil (Abel). Habil had offered the sacrifice of the best ram of his flock, while Qabil unwillingly offered a cheap share of worthless corn. The sacrifice of Habil was burnt up by a fire from heaven, signifying the acceptance of his sacrifice; Qabil’s offering was not touched by the fire, implying that it was rejected. The 
states: ‘And recite to them the story of the two sons of Adam in truth; when each offered a sacrifice, it was accepted from one but not from the other’ (5.27).
The most generous sacrifice is the offer of the self for the cause of God. Allah promises paradise to those who sacrifice their selves and their wealth for God. The 
states that this promise was also given in the Torah and the Gospel: ‘Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties and their return shall be the paradise’ (9.111). The Holy Book also describes the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his son 
as an example of self-sacrifice:
Animal sacrifice is a tradition offered by Muslims every year on the Eid al-Adhha, the Feast of the Sacrifice in commemoration of the sacrifice made by the prophet Ibrahim and his son 
When the Prophet was asked: ‘What is sacrifice?’ He replied, ‘It is the sunna of your father Ibrahim.’ He also said that ‘The person who sacrifices with a willing heart and with the niyyat (intention) of reward, on the Day of Judgement that sacrifice will shield him from the fires of hell.’ Additionally, we are told that to Allah alone the Muslim should offer, among other things, his sacrifice—‘My prayer, sacrifice, life, and death are for Allah the Lord of the peoples’ (6.162)—and that this is a condition of its acceptance—‘For you Lord pray and offer sacrifice’ (108.2). Further, the purpose of the sacrifice is to express one’s gratitude to Allah for his many blessings—‘Thus we subjected these animals to you so that you may express your gratitude’ (22.36)—thus the person who is offering should be pious and humble—‘Verily Allah accepts from those who are al-muttaqun (pious)’ (5.27). Animals to be sacrificed should all be halal (permissible, domesticated animals). Generally, goats, sheep, rams, cows and camels are offered, and the sacrifice should be chosen from the best kind of animal. It has been reported in Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet sacrificed two rams of beautiful dark eyes and large horns. He slaughtered them himself, putting his foot on the side of the neck and saying 
wa-Allah Akbar (In the Name of Allah and God is Great)’.
According to the 
the offering of animal sacrifice is part of the regular practice of the system of obedience of all divine laws, although the way and procedure may differ for different nations: ‘We have appointed for every community a way of offering the sacrifice so that the people may mention the name of Allah over the cattle He has given them’ (22.34).
Animal sacrifice offered for Eid alAdhha is a sunna; it is not an obligation for those who are not on pilgrimage. For pilgrims, sacrifice depends on the type of pilgrimage—it could be wajib, a necessary duty, or simply have been recommended. The purpose of the sacrifice is not merely to kill an animal, but to please family and friends as well as the poor. The recommendations are to retain one part of the meat, about a third, for one’s family; to send another third to friends and relatives; and to donate the last third to the poor. From this perspective, a sacrifice is an act of charity, which includes one’s family, friends and the community.
The 
explains that God does not benefit by the sacrifice, but what pleases him is the fact that people are conscious of him and follow his commands: ‘Their flesh will never reach God, nor their blood. What reaches Him is your piety’ (22.37). When the Prophet was asked what benefit do we get from the sacrifice he answered: ‘A reward for every hair or a strand of wool of the sacrificed animal.’
See also: qurban
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became a young man his father, Ibrahim said to him one day, ‘My son, I saw in a dream that I am sacrificing you, what do you say in this regard?’ 
replied, ‘Father, carry out what you have been commanded. If Allah wills, you will find me patient and steadfast. ‘Wh en b oth had submi tt ed to A will and Isma
was cast down upo face, a voice from Heaven called out, ‘O Ibrahim, you have indeed fulfilled your dream, thus do We reward the righteous. This was indeed a manifest trial. And we ransomed the boy by means of a great sacrifice, and left a tradition of Ibrahim forever for the coming generations. Peace be upon Ibrahim for he was one of our believing servants/ (37.102–111)
