Opinion: Eid-el- Kabir of sobriety not of merriment

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August 31, 2017 at 10:51PM
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Wale Akinola

Editor’s note: The Eid-el- Kabir celebration is one of the festivals in Islam and every Muslim is expected to use the period to increase in the remembrance of Allah.

In this article sent to NAIJ.com, a Lagos-based journalist, Muhammed Subair, explains the significance of Eid-el- Kabir celebration.

The Muslims festival of sacrifice also known as the Eid-el-Adha brings to memory the moral lessons in the story of the father of faith, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), his wife, Hajara (Hagar) and son, Ismail (Ishmeal) which is one of obedience, perseverance and absolute trust and dependence in Almighty, Allah.

Apart from this, another important lesson of this day is the unalloyed love of Allah for His creatures which Muslims around the world regardless of differences in colour, language and racial affinity are expected to resurrect and share with people of other faiths on this day and beyond.

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It is however needful to remind ourselves that the Muslim festival of sacrifice goes beyond merry making and frolicking to and fro the nooks and crannies of the community listening and dancing to music.

But it has everything to do with Muslim male and female distancing him or herself from offensive acts that are capable of turning him or her against the pleasure of Allah to imbibe actions that will bring them closer to the pleasure of Allah both in worship and in deeds.

One of the marks of Muslims is to perceive this material world as a prison where rights to pleasurable acts are denied. It is for us to seek worldly pleasure in moderation and contemplate on life beyond this material world.

How then can we achieve this in such day as the Eid-el-Adha? It is for us to fill our thought with Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) at every moment of the celebration.

Also, as Muslims we should extend part of the bountiful blessings of Allah on us to the less privilege and the needy and ensure that they too are happy and partake in the Eid feasts.

Meanwhile, while the celebration lasts, we should eat only of what is permissible for us as Muslims and shun what is forbidden like alcohol and other intoxicants which are capable of luring the mind to destructive acts.

Gam*bling on this day and beyond is forbidden for Muslims because Eid-el-Adha not only represents obedience and perseverance of prophet Ibrahim and his immediate family to Allah's instructions, it also signifies the rebirth of a new era for all Muslims.

In the live of every Muslim, Eid-el-Adha symbolizes a new beginning and a new phase of life. A life devoid of disobedience to Allah, of sinful acts of gam*bling, kidnapping, armed robbery, hypocrisy, backbiting and all other acts that are capable of demonising our existence as creatures of Allah.

There is no denying the fact that Muslims are the best of creatures and we must be seen to be promoting the best of everything; the best of character by being righteous and trustworthy, by promoting equality and justice among the community and above all, by being the best in leading a life filled with the love of Allah, His creatures and seeking material things of this world in moderation.

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While I pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters that are on hajj pilgrimage in Makkah for a safe return back home, I want to encourage Muslims around the world to be tolerant of each other, promote peace and unity and exercise restraint in matters of this world as we are here but for a short time as our abode eternally is in the hereafter.

Therefore, we should endeavour to free ourselves from the deceptive nature of this world and fill our mind with knowing our purpose in this world on one part and our duty to our Creator on the other.

It is only with this that the spirit of Eid-el-Adha could be said to be resuscitated in our lives as Muslims.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Nigerians, particularly the Muslims faithful on the Eid-El- celebrations.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of NAIJ.com. Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.naij.com — drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Naij.com’s step-by-step guide for guest contributors.

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In the video below, Governor Aminu Bello Masari and Katsina activists celebrate Buhari's return:

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Opinion: Eid-el- Kabir of sobriety not of merriment
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