“Ahmadi Muslims are having to sacrifice their sentiments and emotions on this Eid. By the Grace of Allah the Almighty, Ahmadi Muslims are regular in making financial sacrifices and in fact, the level of understanding with which Ahmadi Muslims in this age are offering the sacrifice of their own lives purely for the sake of Allah the Almighty is unmatched…When Ahmadi Muslims are barred from fulfilling their religious obligation of making the sacrifice at Eid of animals, it is very difficult to imagine the pain they suffer as a result. Yet, behind the cover of the law, Ahmadi Muslims are barred from making the sacrifice and this is all being done at the behest of the so-called religious clerics.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^aba further said:

“Sometimes law enforcing officials go beyond the law in hindering Ahmadi Muslims under the pressure of the Mullahs or due to personal grudges. Such people are more fearful of people than they are of God. They do not realise that injustice never lasts for long periods. They are currently doing as they please in the intoxication of their power, however, one day they will face the wrath of Allah, God willing. Nevertheless, despite the fact that sacrificing one’s emotions and sentiments is extremely difficult, Ahmadi Muslims must do so whilst translating those sentiments into prayers at the threshold of Allah the Almighty. Prayers are a most powerful entity. It was the prayers, the restlessness and the cries of Hazrat Ismail^as and Hajra^as and it was their trust upon God that gushed forth the spring of water and established there a city that became the centre of Islam.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^aba further stated:

“We must learn the lesson from this Eid that simply sacrificing an animal is not sufficient. The true spirit of the sacrifice is to desire the pleasure of Allah and to try to attain righteousness.”

His Holiness said that whilst Ahmadi Muslims are barred from making sacrifices, there are people in Pakistan who are spending large sums on buying expensive animals to offer as a sacrifice to show to people, despite the fact that their wealth is not earned in a lawful way.

Speaking of the economic conditions in Pakistan, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^aba said:

“People in Pakistan are complaining about inflation, whilst also buying ever-more expensive animals for Eid. If the same people live honestly and pay the correct taxes, the inflation that they are complaining about will end and the country’s economy will not be destroyed. However, the entire system is broken and so they will not be able to benefit themselves in any way from any advice…If Ahmadi Muslims wish to attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty, they must tread upon the pathways of righteousness and assess themselves. If we are righteous and if our actions are for the sake of seeking Allah’s pleasure, then Allah the Almighty knows what is in our hearts and knows the state of our emotions and so He can grant us the reward of the sacrifice even if we are unable to sacrifice an animal…If we attain the lofty standards of righteousness, if we attain a true relationship with Allah the Almighty, the persecution will dissipate right before our eyes, God willing. We will be able to observe all the Islamic practices with complete freedom.”

His Holiness said that whilst the spirit behind making the sacrifice of an animal at Eid is very important, the physical act of doing so is also of utmost importance and so those who are allowed to and are able to, should most certainly make the sacrifice.