All Over the World Muslims Celebrates Eid-ul-Adha Festivel Today
Eid-ul-Adha celebrated by Muslims the world over, dawns upon us in a chaotic world where bigotry, discrimination and hate reign supreme. Eid-ul-Adha also known as Hajj Festival celebrates the sacrifice made by Prophet Abraham through the annual pilgrimage made to Makkah, in Saudi Arabia during the Month of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
God ordered Prophet Abraham to slaughter his son, as an act of obedience to God. This was a test to evaluate Abraham’s devotion to his divine creator. When he prepared his son for slaughter, God sent forth a ram to be slaughtered instead, a clear indication that Abraham had reached the height of devotion in the sight of God.
The journey of Hajj is incumbent upon all Muslims who are physically and financially able, while those who are short of these may celebrate it with family and friends. Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated two months after Eid-ul-Fitr which celebrates the end of fasting. In essence, the two Eids play an immense role in spiritual and social purification in purging toxic actions, emotions and feelings that would damage one’s relationship with God and his creations.
Whilst the month of Ramadan prioritize the spiritual purification of oneself that would render one more devout and disciplined making one more inclined to forge new relationships and mend fences with friends and family, it can be said that the month of Dhul Hijjah prioritize social cohesion amongst all. It is made evident in the journey of Hajj, where the pilgrims are expected to wear an ihram made of a coarse white cloth. Thus when they stand together in prayer, foot to foot, shoulder to shoulder as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad, they are forged as one body of devotees, a mosaic of rich, and poor, affluent and humble, representative of all nationalities bearing different skin tones, all united with one common purpose of seeking forgiveness and reparation from God for themselves and their loved ones. The mood and the atmosphere of this journey leaves no room for conflict, for each ritual reminds one of their goal and spending time in quarrels robs them of their spiritual purpose, leaving them bereft of divine favour and of course, the money spent in order to make the journey. Each ritual performed is an act of worship, thereby the binding the movements of the limbs with the devotion of the heart. The Kaa’ba, the black stone gilded with gold embroidery is the house of Allah on earth, a holy site, where quarrels and arguments are forbidden. Shedding blood of man or animal and destroying nature is forbidden at that site. It is a holy site, second in sanctity only to the blood of those who are devout to God. This was the first place of worship to God built by Man on earth, Prophet Adam and then rebuilt by Prophet Abraham.
Conversely, is incumbent upon those who did not make the journey of hajj, to replicate the level of unity and social cohesion experienced by their brethren who made the journey to Makkah. The Hajj dawns upon an era where the hashtag blacklives matter is trending a clear indication that in other parts of the world black lives are considered irrelevant. Women are still fighting to be heard and experience discrimination and gender based violence. Climate change is being felt in all parts of the world, but trees are still being felled, deforestation being rampant. This is an era where Muslim majority countries are in conflict with each other, scattering their people across the world, reducing them to hapless refugees.
The essence of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha is to embrace the mosaic that is humanity, to learn to live in cohesion with others regardless of their colour, creed or faith and to respect the sanctity of nature. What is exemplified during the journey of Hajj must be manifested by all in their words and actions. Prophet Muhammed stated during his last journey of Hajj to Makkah, “Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor is a non-Arab superior to an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”
Courtesy – Ceylon Today
