Eid el-Kabir and lesson of self-sacrifice

According to the scriptures, Prophet Ibrahim saw a vision in which he was divinely commanded to offer his only son as sacrifice. The son, Ismail, consented to the wish of his father. As Ismail laid prostate in the acceptance of his fate, another divine intervention ransomed him with a ram, a reflection of genuine patience […]

According to the scriptures, Prophet Ibrahim saw a vision in which he was divinely commanded to offer his only son as sacrifice. The son, Ismail, consented to the wish of his father. As Ismail laid prostate in the acceptance of his fate, another divine intervention ransomed him with a ram, a reflection of genuine patience on the part of Prophet Ibrahim and obedience and submission on Ismail’s part, and a lesson to all in self-sacrifice.
It is a lesson that is just as relevant in contemporary times. The lack of will by today’s crop of leaders and followers for self-sacrifice, as exemplified by Ibrahim’s patience and Ismail’s obedience, that is responsible for the various ills that afflict every aspect of national life today. Selflessness is fundamental to any genuine act of sacrifices, and this virtue is sorely lacking among many of Nigeria’s leaders. Leaders whether elected or appointed, should imbibe the gracious and obliging kind of submission exhibited by Ismail in order to inspire those they lead to be patriotic, including paying the supreme price where appropriate, in order to bring the country out of the mess into which bad governance has plunged it and make it great again. Providing selfless leadership for the benefit of the community is in truth part of genuine sacrifice.
Sacrifice in whatever form, including the forfeiture sometimes of certain rights and privileges, is symbolic of the obedience to divine injunctions and, by extrapolation, to the commands of those charged with authority and leadership in the community. Obedience to God, parents and constituted authorities, is an expression of, and indeed a sure path to, genuine sacrifices. Service to humanity does not end with submission to the will and command of God; it equally entails any sacrifice made for the orderly development of society.
Muslims who are able to make animal sacrifices on the occasion of Eid el-Kabir festival should, as required by the teachings of the religion, extend their generosity to neighbours and other members of their immediate community, especially the less-privileged. The activities that usually accompany this festive period, including feasts and exchange of visits, should be explored to further unite communities as well as inspire individuals to be responsible citizens.  
Government should, in the spirit of this season, make conscious efforts to tackle the twin challenges of poverty and unemployment, and reduce the hardship that majority of Nigerians face. Political and communal leaders should be constantly attuned to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, and be sensitive to the genuine grievances of those they lead. Political office holders should strive harder to halt the deepening culture of impunity that is giving young people the wrong ideas of what leadership entails. As the 2015 general elections approach, politicians should be circumspect in their speeches and actions, shunning words and conduct that could precipitate intra- and inter-party crises.
As the country continues to endure the challenges of insurgency and the general insecurity of lives and property that these engender, the government should not take any option off the table in designing strategies to curb this ugly trend and bring peace and tranquillity to every part of the country.
In the spirit of the season, we wish all Nigerians a peaceful eid celebration.