Eid-el-Kabir is one of the two major celebrations in Islam, the first being Eid-el-Fitri, a celebration at the end of Ramadan.
It is celebrated annually on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar.
The celebration is held a day after those on annual pilgrimage to hajj descended on mount Arafat.
Eid-el-Kabir is to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to almighty Allah, in replacement of his son a ram was provided as sacrifice.
Since there is no compulsion in the religion of Islam, it is however paramount for Muslim men and women to kill a ram as sacrifice during the celebration.
The meat is divided into three parts; one shared within the family, the second is given to other Muslims that cannot afford to kill a ram while the third is given to the less privileged.
While it is true that Allah’s act of miraculously providing a ram for prophet Ibrahim to replace Ismail for the sacrifice is worthy of celebration, the day should be more of glorifying Allah’s holy name rather than indulging in consumption of food, drinks and merriment.
The celebration is important because if the ram was not provided human race would go into extinction.
Furthermore, Eid-el-Kabir should be observed with moderation in order to avoid social dislocation as a result of excesses.
As Muslims and other Nigerians celebrate, the value of love, faith, obedience, prayer, sacrifice and submission to the will of Allah should be uppermost in their minds.
This will reflect Allah’s commandments regarding the Eid as well as acknowledgment of the economic downturn that has prevented many from performing their obligation of ram slaughtering.
In order words, Eid-el-Kabir is all about sharing, giving, supplications to Allah, respecting humanity, showing mercy and kindness to people and preserving mankind.
Government’s programme should consistently reflect these virtues as it would strengthen the faith of the citizenry in government.
It is also important that government promotes the enthronement of good governance through selfless and sacrificial service.
This is why public office holders should avoid opportunistic tendencies and corrupt practices.
Hence, public resources should be judiciously used in the interest of the public.
Nigerian should also see the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir as an opportunity to promote peace among diverse ethnics and religious groups in the country for national development.
Fawzeeyah Kasheem
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