NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE CELEBRATION OF 2018 EID-UL-ADHA
Once again the Islamic calendar is getting to an end and Muslims the World over are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha, the feast of sacrifice. The Eid-ul-Adha prayer is very important for Muslims. It has the merits of the five daily prayers and the Friday prayers called Juma’ah. It also has the characteristics of the annual reunions of Muslims all over the world. This re-union manifests itself in the annual pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina where millions of Muslims gather to perform the prescribed religious rites ordained by the Almighty Allah. Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Zul-hijah, the last month of the Muslim year, following completion of the course of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The celebration of Eid-ul-Adha is in commemoration of the command given by Allah to Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his first son, Ishmael to Him. The fulfilment of this noble command of Allah by Abraham signifies the faith Abraham had in Allah. This display of faith yet unmatched in the annals of religion, eventually made Abraham the friend of Allah.
Eid-ul-Adha is therefore a unique occasion in every way. Besides its highly spiritual and moral characteristics, it has matchless qualities. Each Eid festival is a wholesome celebration of a remarkable achievement of the individual Muslim in the service of Allah. Unlike the Eid-ul-Fitr, which comes after one month of absolute fasting in the month of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Adha marks the completion of the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, a course in which Muslims handsomely demonstrate their renouncement of mundane concerns and hearken to the eternal voice of Allah. Eid-ul-Adha is a day of remembrance. Even in the most joyful times, Muslims make a fresh start of the day by a session of congregational prayers to Allah in an open space. Muslims use the occasion to pray to Allah and glorify His name, to demonstrate the remembrance of His grace and favours. Along with that course, Muslims also remember the deceased by praying for their souls to rest in peace. The needy and vulnerable in society are also remembered by showing them sympathy and consolation.
In sum Eid-ul-Adha transcends all limits and expands over the dimensions of human life. It marks a day of victory for the Muslim. The individual Muslim who succeeds in securing his spiritual rights and growth receives the Eid with victorious spirit. The Muslim, who faithfully observes the duties which are associated with the Eid, is a triumphant Muslim. He proves that he holds a strong command over his desires, exercises a sound self-control and enjoys the test of a disciplinary life. Once a person acquires these qualities, he has achieved his greatest victory, because the person who knows how to control himself and disciplines his passion is free from sin, wrong doing, fear, indecency, jealousy, greed, humiliation and all other causes of enslavement. Eid-ul-Adha is also a harvest day. All the good work done in the service of Allah is rewarded and all faithful believers reap the fruits of their good deeds as Allah grants His mercy and blessings abundantly without measure. The day is also one of forgiveness. When Muslims assemble in the congregation of the day, they all whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength of faith. God has assured those who approach him with sincerity, of His mercy and forgiveness. In that pure assembly and highly spiritual congregation, any true Muslim would feel ashamed of himself to hold any enmity or ill feeling if he had been exposed to any. Consequently, he would find himself moving along with others responding to the spirit of the day to purify his heart and soul. It is hoped that this year’s Eid-Ul-Adha will further enhance peace in Ghana and the world at large. May the peace and love of Allah be unto you.
BY: ABDUL HAYEH MOOMEN