On the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, Muslims around the world celebrate Iduladha—also known as the Festival of Sacrifice—with both joy and reverence. The echoes of takbir resonate from the night before until the days of Tashriq (11th–13th Dhu al-Hijjah).

Behind the ritual of sacrificing livestocks—such as cows, goats, sheep, camels, or buffaloes—whose meat is distributed to those in need, lies a much relatable lesson. Iduladha is not merely a religious ceremony; it is a story of love, sacrifice, and sincerity that touches the soul. It is a timeless lesson on how to become a person of noble character.

This celebration stems from the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son, Prophet Ismail (AS). Tasked with spreading the message of tauhid (monotheism) among idol-worshipping communities, the elderly Ibrahim was eventually blessed with a son through Hajar. Ismail became a source of immense joy and hope in Ibrahim’s life.

But a great test soon followed. In his sleep, Ibrahim received a dream he believed to be a divine revelation: a command to sacrifice his own son. Caught between the love of a father and the obedience of a servant of God, Ibrahim conveyed the message to Ismail. Ismail’s response was extraordinary:

“And when he (his son) was old enough to accompany him, [Ibrahim] said, ‘O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.’ He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient ones.’” (QS. As-Saffat: 102)

Upon arriving at the valley of Mina, just as Prophet Ibrahim was about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah replaced Ismail with a ram—as proof that they had passed the test of faith.

This story is not only about religious obedience; it also carries psychological relevance to the dynamics of modern life. According to Sigmund Freud, human behavior is driven by three components of the psyche: the id, ego, and superego. The id represents the impulsive part of the mind that seeks immediate gratification—desiring possession, validation, and limitless pleasure.

When left unchecked, the id can lead to a hedonistic lifestyle: false euphoria, dependency on social validation, and the modern-day phenomenon of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). This is where the values of Iduladha become crucial—it teaches that true happiness comes not from fulfilling every desire, but from the ability to let go, to control oneself, and to embrace sincerity.

In a world dominated by image-building, career competition, and social media pressure, the spirit of sacrifice is more relevant than ever. Today, sacrifice is no longer just about slaughtering livestock; it is about the willingness to delay gratification, step out of one’s comfort zone, and relinquish ego and unhealthy expectations in pursuit of a greater purpose.

In financial management, this concept is known as Opportunity Cost—the idea that every decision has a trade-off and comparative value. Life operates the same way: every second presents choices—what to fight for and what to let go of—for the sake of a more meaningful future.

The spirit of Iduladha aligns with the core values upheld by Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA): visionary thinking, integrity, and professionalism. In both academic and campus life, students and lecturers alike are challenged not only to pursue results but to build meaningful processes grounded in honesty. Whatever we choose to sacrifice today—our time, energy, or even ego—when done with sincere intention and patient perseverance, will yield blessings beyond measure.