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Hazrat Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) manifested his unparalleled devotion and complete submission to Allah Ta’ala, when he was commanded to sacrifice his beloved son.
When seven days of Dhul Hijjah had passed, on the eighth night Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) saw a dream in which he was commanded to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (Alaihis Salaam). In the morning he contemplated over his dream, and anxiously considered whether it was the actual command of Allah Ta’ala or if it was just his subconscious thoughts. For this reason, the eighth of Dhul Hijjah is known as Yaum-e-Tarwīyah – the Day of Contemplation. On the ninth night he saw the dream again and in the morning he had a firm belief that this was indeed the command from Allah Ta’ala. For this reason, the ninth of Dhul Hijjah is called Yaum-e-Arafah – the Day of Recognition. On the tenth night he saw the dream yet again and in the morning he had made the firm intention to sacrifice his son. For this reason, the tenth of Dhul Hijjah is called Yaum-e-Nahr – the Day of Sacrifice. {Tafseer-e-Kabeer; Tafseer Mazhari}
When Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) left with his son Sayyiduna Ismail (Alaihis Salaam) to sacrifice him, Shaitaan appeared in the form of a man to Hazrat Hājira (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) and said, “Do you know where Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) has gone with your son?” She replied, “He has gone to that valley to fetch wood.” Shaitaan said to her, “By Allah! It is not that! He has actually gone to sacrifice your son.” She replied, “This definitely cannot be because he is very affectionate towards his son and loves him very much.” Shaitaan said, “He thinks that Allah Ta’ala has commanded him to do so.” Hazrat Hājira (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) replied, “If Allah Ta’ala has commanded him then what can be better than him obeying the command of his Exalted Lord?”
Shaitaan became disappointed and went to Hazrat Ismail (Alaihis Salaam) and said to him, “O son! Do you know where your father is taking you?” Hazrat Ismail (Alaihis Salaam) replied, “We are going to fetch wood in this valley.” Shaitaan said, “By Allah! He has the intention to sacrifice you!” Hazrat Ismail (Alaihis Salaam) replied, “Why would he have such an intention?” Shaitaan said, “His Lord has commanded him to do so.” He replied, “Then he must obey the command of his Lord and I gladly accept this command.”
When Shaitaan was unsuccessful here as well, he went to Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) and said, “O Shaikh! Where are you going?” He replied, “I am going to this valley for some purpose of mine.” Shaitaan replied, “By Allah! I think that Shaitaan has come in your dream and he has commanded you to sacrifice your son.” Hearing this comment Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) recognised him and said, “O enemy of Allah! Go away from me! By Allah! I will definitely fulfill the command of my Lord!” Shaitaan then left unsuccessful yet again. {Tafseer-e-Khāzin}
It is narrated from Hazrat Sayyiduna Qatādah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) that Shaitaan had made the intention to divert Sayyiduna Ibrahim and Sayyiduna Ismail (Alaihimas Salaam) from fulfilling the command of Allah Ta’ala. So he came in the form of a friend and tried to stop Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) but was unable to do so. He then tried to convince Sayyiduna Ismail (Alaihis Salaam) but was also unsuccessful with him. Because of this, Shaitaan then turned himself into a very large and fat form and physically blocked the valley pathway so that they could not proceed further. There was an angel with Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) who advised him to hit Shaitaan. Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) then hit Shaitaan with seven pebbles and he moved from the way. He then appeared again to block their path, and again Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) hit him with pebbles and moved him from the way. He appeared a third time and Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) hit him with pebbles for the third time and Shaitaan then went away. {Tafseer Roohul Ma’āni}
Allah Ta’ala loved this action so much that He made it a part of His Ibādat and made it compulsory upon the Hujjāj till the Day of Judgement to imitate this action of Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam). SubhānAllah!
Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) asked Hazrat Ismail (Alaihis Salaam) for his opinion on the matter and found his son to be completely obedient and in total submission to the command of Allah Ta’ala. With regard to this Allah Ta’ala states:
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْیَ قَالَ یٰبُنَیَّ اِنِّیْۤ اَرٰی فِی الْمَنَامِ اَنِّیْۤ اَذْبَحُكَ فَانْظُرْ مَا ذَا تَرٰی ؕ قَالَ یٰۤاَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ؗ سَتَجِدُنِیْۤ اِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ ؕ
And when he became capable of working with him, Ibrahim said, “O my son, I dreamt that I am sacrificing you, now see what your opinion is.” He said, “O my father! Do what you are being commanded, Allah willing, it is near that you will find me patient.”
{Surah 37:102}
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to be in complete submission to Him and the willingness to sacrifice everything for His sake, Allahumma Āmeen.