Barka da Sallah

 Today, the tenth day of Zhul Hijja in the Islamic calendar is being marked as Eid el-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. Following its declaration as Sallah Day by Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the federal government has declared today Monday and tomorrow […]

 Today, the tenth day of Zhul Hijja in the Islamic calendar is being marked as Eid el-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. Following its declaration as Sallah Day by Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the federal government has declared today Monday and tomorrow Tuesday as public holidays to mark Eid el-Kabir.

The day is marked throughout the Muslim world with the ritual of animal sacrifice, a sacrifice that Muslims offer with fervour and enthusiasm as a means of attaining nearness to Almighty Allah. Its import and essence is to show taqwa, piety to the Creator. It also serves the purpose of sadaqah because the meat of the animal is distributed to neighbours and the needy.

The day is not only for Muslims to dress nicely, go for prayers and return to feast lavishly but should also be a day for inner reflection and for interaction with family, friends and neighbours.

The day also offers opportunity to admonish the Muslim community to embrace the objective of the as part of the moral and religious obligation as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when he listened to Allah’s command to sacrifice his only son, Ishmael which offers us great lessons and a pathway for genuine faith and submission to Allah.

The animal sacrifice is merely symbolic because Allah does not need the blood, neither does He have anything to do with the meat. The flesh and blood of sacrificed animals does not reach God; it is only worshippers’ piety that reaches Him.

As Muslims endeavour to fulfil this obligation they all should be mindful of those who are hungry in our community, the deprived, widows and less privileged. Well are all aware of the harsh economic situation threatening to frustrate the intentions of many Muslims to perform this sacrificial rite. The recession has affected the price of rams and all other commodities and many markets were devoid of the usual throng with few buyers recorded.

However, the yearly sacrifice of rams is not made obligatory for Muslims; it is only for those who can afford it. Nigerians should therefore patiently bear the hardship as we are laying a more solid foundation for generations to come.

Muslims should celebrate Eid el-Adha with moderation; avoid excesses and all things that lead to sin. Muslims who are able to sacrifice animals should share with those who could not. Muslims should also strive to keep their acts of worship free from all forms of showing off so that they can earn the divine rewards associated with them in the Hereafter.

It is unfortunate that in the run up to Sallah, the Nigeria Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) allegedly led a coalition of 22 Christian groups to say that the declaration of September 12 as public holiday in commemoration of Eid El-Kabir celebration by the Sultan of Sokoto was “very improper for the head of the Islamic faith in Nigeria to announce, declare, or extend public holidays.” The group Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) however replied, correctly, that “For the avoidance of doubt, there is a difference between declaration of Sallah day and declaration of a public holiday. Only the Federal Government can declare a public holiday in the country while governors alone can declare it in their states.

But the Sultan reserves the right to declare the day for a Muslim festival.” We urge all faith groups must strive to promote peace in the country based on correct understanding of issues and mutual respect and tolerance. We also advise Muslims to maintain the tempo of their supplications to God as a habit which should be their guiding principle and a way of life as Nigeria still remains in dire need of prayers to surmount her numerous challenges.

While calling on government to be more determined in its resolve to ensure that citizens continue to enjoy dividends of democracy, we wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters

Barka da Sallah.