Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Glory be to Almighty Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)) the Bearer of blessings, providence and forgiveness, the most Hearing. For He maintains while recalling the situation of Prophet Ibrahim (Alayhi s Salaam (AS)) as saying: "Praise bee to Allah Who endowed me in spite of age, Ismail and Is-haq, surely my Lord is prayer Answerer. O Lord, make me Salah observer and my descendants, Lord accept my supplication." May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu AlayHi Wasallam (SAW)) and the entire sincere followers of his way till eternity.
Eidul Ad-ha is integra and rudimentary to Islam as a religion of Islam. It is an epitome of obedience and submission to the will of Allah through sacrifice and fabulous spending on family, friends and relative and by extension, giving to the poor and less privileged in the society. As a symbol of humility per excellence culminating in the art of cheerfulness, its becoming a principality and part of religion cuts across manners of ethnicity, generations and races. To this end, Anas bn Malik reported that : "The Prophet (SAW) sacrificed two hefty rams with big horns which he slaughtered with his hand and later put his leg on their blood.'
For instance, Prophet Ibrahim was iconic in receptive of ways of earlier Prophets of Allah as evident in generosity of essence which eventually changed his state of despair to rather a state of favor of enviable and everlasting succor. It serves the purpose to mention that Allah recognized this when Prophet Ibrahim was named 'father of faith' of all divine religions. This is the point of departure from other insinuations presumable to be religion. There is no gainsaying the fact that Allah called unto following the path of Prophet Ibrahim which is propagated by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This, no doubt, is the way that pleases Allah and plugging unto it drives to everlasting success.
Before long, Allah says: " O you men! It is you that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free from wants, Worthy of all praise. If He so pleased, He could blot you out and bring in a New Creation. Nor is that (at all) difficult for Allah (Qur'an 35:15-17)." The Ayat shows gross incapacitation of men in contra-distinction to ultimate power of Almighty Allah that drives to His worship.
In the exact premise, Eidul Ad-ha and Ud-hiyyah (sacrifice) were two-one and main things symbols of Islam. Allah in the Qur'an 22: 34 ,36& 37 recounts Hos ordination of religion on the obedient servant Prophet Ibrahim (AS) but gave perfect evaluation in 2278 when saying: "To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice), that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food). But your God is One God: submit then your wills to Him (in Islam): and give you the good news to those who humble themselves."
He further stresses: "To those whose hearts, when Allah is mentioned, are filled with fear, who aho patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed on them. The sacrificial camels We have made for you as among among the signs from Allah: in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat you thereof, and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have We made animals subject to you, that you may be grateful. It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is your piety reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that you may glorify Allah for His guidance to you: and proclaim the Good News to all who do good."
These Ayat (verses) as enunciating the polls of divine religion are grossly summarized in the last Ayah of Suratul Hajj (22:78) as follows: "And strive in His cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is He Who named you Muslims, both before and in the (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and you be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give zakat and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help."
As a quarter-final summary of this edition, all the above provisions are self-explanatory though, it is aptly given in Qur'an 5:27. This is in the story of sons of Prophet Adam (AS) whose sacrifices of one of them was accepted at the expense of other. Offering genuine reason for such discrete action Allah says: "....Surely, said the former whose sacrifice was accepted," Allah does accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous." This indicates that not the fabulous or wealthiest sacrifice that would remain acceptable before Allah but the piety attached to the offer of like of Ibadat which sacrifice serves well.
Semi-finally however, that Prophet Ibrahim's disposition to patient perseverance speaks volume as evident from his life-long barrenness. It is to this end that his situation is encapsulated in the following political verse as a challenge to men irrespective of trials and tribulations open to them. It says: "كن رجالا على الاحوال كل # وشيمتك السماحة والو فاء
و تجزع لحادثة ليال # وما لحوادث الدنيا بقاء
Meaning: 1 'Be manly in the face of various challenges; to adopt wholesome perseverance and fulfilment of promise.
2. Figgety not in the face of routine happpening; for challenges exhibit not even in endurance.
To this end, the final shot and take home from the Ud-hiyyah as applied to individuals and generality
in submissiveness expected in Islam appear being: 1. دعاء Prayerful 2. صيام Fasting to harness request 3. عبادات Ibadat (dedicated and unshattered worship) 4. استقامة Steadfastness of highest order. To this end, celebration of Eid should be done within the approved limit by Islam; no alcohol, no shudy behaviour, no u due and unnecessary pressure and security consciousness should be given priority. Till we meet again in the next edition. Happy Eidil Ad-ha celebration and thanks for your usual patronage. Taqabbalaha Llahu minna wa minkum.
# Eidul Ad-ha
# Animals fit for food
# Piety as essence
DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA, IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. © 2025
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