The Arabian Peninsula Partnership
The Gospel for every person and a church for every people in the Arabian Peninsula amongst indigenous peoples
16 November, 2010
Hajj Day 3
Stoning and Sacrifice: Sacred Act #3
As the pilgrims leave Muzdalifah, they pass through Mina again. They head to the three pillars, which represent Satan coming to Abraham three times*, to tempt him to ignore the instructions of God concerning the sacrifice of Ishmael**. Muslims believe that Abraham threw stones at Satan. Using the stones or pebbles that they have collected, they throw them at the pillars, which represent Satan. In the stoning, pilgrims renounce evil and declare their willingness to sacrifice all they have to God.
After this victory over Satan, pilgrims will kill a sheep, a goat or maybe a camel in remembrance of God's provision of a sheep sacrificed instead of Abraham's son. This sacrifice ends the formal time of Hajj. It is on this day, as well, that Muslims all over the world will sacrifice a sheep or some other animal. This is the biggest Islamic feast of the year, called Eid el Kabir (literally the Big Feast) or Eid el Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice).
Key Scripture
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. John said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John 1:29
Going before the Father
Ephesians 6 states "Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Muslims understand that there is a spiritual battle caused by Satan. Throwing rocks at Satan during the day of stoning is meaningless apart from the Cross and Resurrection which defeated Satan. Pray that they would see that only Jesus defeated sin, Satan, and death. May they know that in Christ, we have mighty weapons "for the tearing down of strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4)
Thank the Lord that Muslims see the importance of sacrificing an animal. In the Old Testament, it meant forgiveness of sins. After Jesus died on the cross, animals no longer were sacrificed, for His death covered all of our sins. Pray that they will understand the meaning behind it.
Ask that God would overwhelm people with the truth and reality of Jesus' death on the cross. Ask that the Holy Spirit move in people's hearts so that they can receive this as truth.
Ask God to give Muslims understanding that Christ has overcome all the powers of Satan on the cross and pray that they will experience the reality of that victory in their lives through spontaneous healings and deliverances by calling on Jesus' name.
What does the Bible say?
The Bible does not talk about Satan visiting Abraham, nor stones, Genesis 22.
he Quran does not actually say which son of Abraham it was. It is Islamic tradition that says Ishmael. The Bible says that it was Isaac, Genesis 22.