'Eidul-Adha the Symbol of Obedience

'Eidul-Adha the Symbol of Obedience

 Gyasi Abu Umar McKenzie

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

All the praise and thanks are due to Allah; May Peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger.

‘Eid Al-Adha is preceded by the glorious day of 'Arafah and is one of the important days of Hajj. The main theme and messages of Hajj are willfully submission and obedience in complete peace to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala. In the remarkable stories of Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Isma'il, and Hajar, [`Alayhis-Salam] we witness extraordinary examples of obedience and submission to Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala, which is the core meaning of Islam. In fact, submission is the very meaning of the word "Islam". Thus the meaning and essence of Islam are manifested in Hajj, which reminds us of our mission and purpose in life.

'Eid Al-Adha is a symbol of obedience. It signifies submission to Allah Almighty. On this day, we commemorate together the acts of obedience and submission performed by Prophet Ibrahim  ('Alayhis-Salam) and his family when he was commanded to take Hajar and their son Isma'il to an uninhabited, barren, distant land and leave them there alone. He submitted and obeyed. When Hajar realized what was happening, she cried out, "Ibrahim! Are you going to leave us in this valley where no people live?" She repeated the question yet she received no answer, so she asked him, "Did Allah orders you to do this?" He replied, "Yes." So she said, "Then Allah will not let us perish." Thus she submitted.

When his son Isma'il became older, Ibrahim (''Alayhis-Salam) had a dream that Allah  Subhanahu wa Ta'ala commanded him to sacrifice him. He duly submitted it as Allah’s command and informed his son and his son obediently accepted it. But Allah replace it with a lamb to performed a sacrifice. The family of Ibrahim was a family of obedience and submission. They were tested and tried again and again, but the result was always submission and obedience; “I hear I obey”. This is the syiar (testimony, message) of the Hajj and Eidil Adha.

Both the 'Eid Al-Adha and 'Eid Al-Fitr come after performing a pillar of Islam and an act of obedience. Hence 'Eid Al-Adha and 'Eid Al-Fitr are annual reminders that this life is a test and we must be obedient if we wish to be successful. Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, social status, and culture are reminded and given the message:  Surrender to Allah, submit to Allah. Are we hearing this message?

Just as Prophet Ibrahim a.s was tested throughout his life to see if he would submit or not, we will also be tested to see whether we submit or refuse ourselves to Allah's commands! Know that toils, struggles, and hardships will accompany our quest to obedience. If we obey, we will be in the company of the likes of Prophet Ibrahim a.s and his family in Paradise, as Allah says:

“All who obey Allah S.W.T and the messenger shall dwell in the company of those whom Allah S.W.T has favored with His Grace: the prophets, the sincere lovers of Truth, the martyrs, and the Righteous who do good. Ah! What a beautiful companionship!”

[An-Nisaa' 4:69]

'Eid contains many wonderful messages among which is that 'Eid is an external expression of the testimony of faith "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," which means to follow Muhammad in his commandments, abstain from all that he has forbidden, believe in all that he has informed us of, and worship Allah with only that which he has prescribed. Allah says:

“Say: Obey Allah S.W.T and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If you obey Him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to convey [the message] in a clear way.”

[An-Nur 24:54]

Consequently if you truly desire Paradise, all that is required of you is obedience because the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) has guaranteed Paradise for whoever that follows him: "All of my nation will enter Paradise except those who refuse." His Companions said, "Who would refuse?" He answered, "Whoever obeys me enters Paradise and whoever disobeys me has refused."

[Al-Bukhari]

Likewise, Allah warns us throughout the Qur'an of the consequences of choosing to disobey Him. For example Allah says:

“And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment.”

[An-Nisaa' 4:14]

And among the messages of 'Eid is that all Muslims are one people and one brotherhood; we gather  for the prayer and shares the blessings of the `Eid. During these days we must try extra hard to strengthen our brotherhood and mend our differences upon the truth.

Muslim youth, take the opportunity of 'Eid to be kind to your parents, and know that obedience to your parents is obedience to Allah provided that it is free of disobedience to Allah. Stay away from alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, for they destroy the heart, the intellect, and the society.

Women, witness the 'Eid Prayer without displaying and flaunting your beauty or wearing perfumes. Fear Allah s.w.t in regards to your dress code and know that the dress code of the Muslim woman is an honor, not oppression. The dress code is that your clothing should cover your entire body apart from the hands and face; it should not be adorned and attractive in and of itself; it should be loose and opaque. This dress code is to be observed in the masjids as well as in all public gathering places.

We Muslims should take action now toward improving our obedience and submission to Allah, for time is limited. Remember the ones who prayed with us in the last 'Eid Prayer and ones who have now passed away. We will certainly join them one day. Do not therefore be tricked by the life of this world in which happiness does not last. Death spoils the people's pleasure. Therefore, consider this world a place of work toward the hereafter. As Allah says concerning the pursuit of Paradise:

“And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for) these, their striving shall surely be accepted.”

[Al-Israa', 17:19]

And Allah says:

“And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty.”

[Al-Hijr 15:99]

Allah states that our obedience and submission must be constant and continuous. So hasten to do good deeds before you regret your negligence and failure to act. No one could delay their death until the time they choose to submit and obey Allah. Ibrahim submitted, Isma'il submitted, Hajar submitted, and now we must submit. to Allah. Sami`ana wa ata'na - "We hear, and we obey'' the message of Allah, submit to the only one,  Allah..This is indeed the message, the shari`at  of Hajj; albeit the. message of 'the Eid. We have heard the message .Thus, it must be the to submit to Allah Azzajawalla..

[Via Islam online December 26, 2006]

'Eidul-Adha: A Symbol of Obedience

''Eidul-Adha: A Symbol of Obedience

Gyasi Abu Umar McKenzie

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful ;

All the praise and thanks are due to Allah; May Peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger.

‘Eid Al-Adha is preceded by the glorious day of 'Arafah and is one of the important days of Hajj. The main theme and messages of Hajj are willfully submission and obedience in complete peace to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala. In the remarkable stories of Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Isma'il, and Hajar, [`alaihissalam] we witness extraordinary examples of obedience and submission to Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala, which is the core meaning of Islam. In fact, submission is the very meaning of the word "Islam". Thus the meaning and essence of Islam are manifested in Hajj, which reminds us of our mission and purpose in life.

'Eid Al-Adha is a symbol of obedience. It signifies submission to Allah Almighty. On this day, we commemorate together the acts of obedience and submission performed by Prophet Ibrahim a.s and his family when he was commanded to take Hajar and their son Isma'il to an uninhabited, barren, distant land and leave them there alone. He submitted and obeyed. When Hajar realized what was happening, she cried out, "Ibrahim! Are you going to leave us in this valley where no people live?" She repeated the question yet she received no answer, so she asked him,

"Did Allah orders you to do this?" He replied, "Yes." So she said, "Then Allah will not let us perish." Thus she submitted.

When his son Isma'il became older, Ibrahim ('alaihissalam) had a dream that Allah s.w.t commanded him to sacrifice him. He duly submitted it as Allah’s command and informed his son and his son obediently accepted it. But Allah replace it with a lamb to performed a sacrifice. The family of Ibrahim was a family of obedience and submission. They were tested and tried again and again, but the result was always submission and obedience; “I hear I obey”. This is the syiar (testimony, message) of the Hajj and Eidil Adha.

Both the 'Eid Al-Adha and 'Eid Al-Fitr come after performing a pillar of Islam and an act of obedience. Hence 'Eid Al-Adha and 'Eid Al-Fitr are annual reminders that this life is a test and we must be obedient if we wish to be successful. Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, social status, and culture are reminded and given the message:  Surrender to Allah, submit to Allah. Are we hearing this message?

Just as Prophet Ibrahim a.s was tested throughout his life to see if he would submit or not, we will also be tested to see whether we submit or refuse ourselves to Allah's commands! Know that toils, struggles, and hardships will accompany our quest to obedience. If we obey, we will be in the company of the likes of Prophet Ibrahim a.s and his family in Paradise, as Allah says:

“All who obey Allah S.W.T and the messenger shall dwell in the company of those whom Allah S.W.T has favored with His Grace: the prophets, the sincere lovers of Truth, the martyrs, and the Righteous who do good. Ah! What a beautiful companionship!”

[An-Nisaa' 4:69]

'Eid contains many wonderful messages among which is that 'Eid is an external expression of the testimony of faith "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," which means to follow Muhammad in his commandments, abstain from all that he has forbidden, believe in all that he has informed us of, and worship Allah with only that which he has prescribed. Allah says:

“Say: Obey Allah S.W.T and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If you obey Him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to convey [the message] in a clear way.”

[An-Nur 24:54]

Consequently if you truly desire Paradise, all that is required of you is obedience because the Prophet has guaranteed Paradise for whoever that follows him: "All of my nation will enter Paradise except those who refuse." His Companions said, "Who would refuse?" He answered, "Whoever obeys me enters Paradise and whoever disobeys me has refused."

[Al-Bukhari].

Likewise, Allah warns us throughout the Qur'an of the consequences of choosing to disobey Him. For example Allah says:

“And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment.”

[An-Nisaa' 4:14]

And among the messages of 'Eid is that all Muslims are one people and one brotherhood; we gather together for the prayer and shares the blessings of the `Eid. During these days we must try extra hard to strengthen our brotherhood and mend our differences upon the truth.

Muslim youth, take the opportunity of 'Eid to be kind to your parents, and know that obedience to your parents is obedience to Allah provided that it is free of disobedience to Allah. Stay away from alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, for they destroy the heart, the intellect, and the society.

Women, witness the 'Eid Prayer without displaying and flaunting your beauty or wearing perfumes. Fear Allah s.w.t in regards to your dress code and know that the dress code of the Muslim woman is an honor, not oppression. The dress code is that your clothing should cover your entire body apart from the hands and face; it should not be adorned and attractive in and of itself; it should be loose and opaque. This dress code is to be observed in the masjids as well as in all public gathering places.

We Muslims should take action now toward improving our obedience and submission to Allah, for time is limited. Remember the ones who prayed with us in the last 'Eid Prayer and ones who have now passed away. We will certainly join them one day. Do not therefore be tricked by the life of this world in which happiness does not last. Death spoils the people's pleasure. Therefore, consider this world a place of work toward the hereafter. As Allah says concerning the pursuit of Paradise:

“And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for) these, their striving shall surely be accepted.”

[Al-Israa' 17:19]

And Allah says:

“And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty.”

[Al-Hijr 15:99]

Allah states that our obedience and submission must be constant and continuous. So hasten to do good deeds before you regret your negligence and failure to act. No one could delay their death until the time they choose to submit and obey Allah. Ibrahim submitted, Isma'il submitted, Hajar submitted, and now we must submit. What are we waiting for? This is the message of Hajj; this is the message of 'Eid. We have heard the message. It's time to submit.

[Via Islam online December 26, 2006]

Solat 'Eidul Adha

The Solāt of  Eidul Adha 

 

In the Name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

All praise and thanks are due to Allāh, and May Allāh blessings and peace be upon His Messenger.

At the end of the Hajj, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha [Festival of Sacrifice]. On this occasion two important rituals are conducted, the Solāt Eidul-Adha and the Sacrifice.

The Solāt of 'Eidul-Adha as the Solāt ‘Eidil-Fitri is a Sunnah Mu’akad. It is strongly required and an important tradition in Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) never neglected it. He is reported to have ordered the men, women and children to proceed to the 'Eid prayer ground. Even menstruating women are encouraged to go to the 'Eid ground but they should keep away from the actual place of prayer.

Self Preparation

It is highly recommended to have Sunnah bath [ghusul] and to put on the most beautiful dresses and the best perfumes one can obtain. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to do so. There is also a tradition that one should eat something before going to the 'Eid prayer and possibly.

Time

The time for 'Eid ul Adha is when the sun has risen two meters (7 ft.) above the horizon and the time for 'Eidil- Fitr is while the sun has risen to three meters (10 ft.) above the horizon. 'Eid prayers cannot be said after midday.

Place

it is better to hold 'Eid prayers in an open place or ground if there is no obstacle like rain or bad weather. The Prophet never performed 'Id prayers in the mosque except once due to rain.

No Adzan, No Iqamah

There is neither Adzan nor Iqamah for 'Eid prayers.

Performance of 'Eid Solāt

'Eid prayer consists of two Rak'ah with twelve takbīrs, Allāhu Akbar, seven in the first Rak'ah and five in the second. In the first Rak'ah just after Takbīratul Ihram, say seven Takbīrs lifting your hands with each Takbīr and after finishing seven Takbīrs go on with prayer in the usual way (Imam reading al-Fātihah and surah aloud.) In the beginning of the second Rak'at say five Takbīrs in the usual way. There is no special Dzikir between Takbīrs – but one would say Subhanallah Walhamdu Lillahi Wa Lā Ilāha Illalla Wallāhu Akbar.

Khutbah

After performing the Salāt, the Imam must deliver a khutbah just like al-Juma'at khutbah. But Imam Nawawi and some other scholars say that the khutbah of 'Id is not broken up into two parts with a period of sitting in between.

Returning home

On returning home from the salāt, it is recommended to take a different route than that which was taken to the prayer.

Takbir

Muslims is strongly required to repeat in a loud voice the Takbīr on the way to the Congregation and Eid Solāt and while waiting for the imam:

ALLĀH U AKBAR,

ALLĀH U AKBAR,

ALLĀH U AKBAR,

LA ILAHAILLA HU WALLĀH U AKBAR,

ALLĀH U AKBAR WA LILLAHIL HAMD

Imam or the leader will continue to say:

ALLĀH U AKBAR KABIRA,

WALHAMDULILLAHI KASIRA

WASUBHANALA HIWABUKRATAU WAASILA

LA ILAHAILLA HUWALA NA’BUDU ‘IYYA HUMUKHLISI NALAHUDDIN

WALAUKARIHAL KAAFIRUN

WALAUKARIHAL MUSHRIKUN

LA ILAHAILLA HUWAHDAH

SADAQAWA'DAH

WANASARA`ABDAH

WAA`AZZAJUNDAHU WAHAZAMALAHZA BAWAHDAH

LA ILAHAILLA HU WALLĀH U AKBAR

ALLĀHU AKBAR  WA LILLAHIL HAMD.

One also recommended to Takbīr after every congregational prayer starting from the Fajar, (Dawn prayer) on the day of Wukuf in Arafat on 9th Dzul Hijjah, to the 'Asar (afternoon prayer) on the last of the Days of Tashriq (the thirteenth day of Dzul-Hijjah). For the Pilgrims, the starting time is after the completion Jamrah-al-Aqabah of the Day of Nahr, 10th of Dzul-Hijjah).

This takbir applies to both the 'Eid ul Adha and ‘Eidul Fitri.

No Zakatul Fitr for Eidul Adha

Zakatul Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman, adult and child before 'Eidul Fitri only and NOT Eidul Adha. Zakatul Fitr is meant to purify the fasting (Saum) and to keep everybody in society happy and pleasant - rich and poor equally - so that nobody should go hungry on that day. Thus, it presents a magnificent example of comprehensive social justice in Islam.

Sacrificial Slaughter (udhiyah)

Udhiyah or sacrificial slaughter is done during 'Eidul Adha and is a sunnah mu’akad. It reflects the fact that the Muslim being a committed, as obedient servant of Allāh is always ready to sacrifice anything, even his life, in Allāh’s way. Udhhiyah is remembrances of the obedience of great sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim a.s submitted to God by attempting to sacrifice his own son, Isma'il, to fulfil the command of Allāh Almighty.

The Essentials of Sacrifice

i) To say Allāh’s name: Bismillah Allāhu Akbar on commencing the slaughtering.

ii) Udhhiyah cannot be slaughtered before 'Eid prayer. It should be done immediately after prayers and on the three days after 'Eid: Dzul Hijjah 11, 12, 13.

iii) Udhhiyah can be a goat, sheep, cow, bull, buffalo or camel of either sex. Pregnant female animals should not be slaughtered. Seven persons can share in the last named four animals.

iv)  The meat of the slaughtered animal should be divided into three parts. It is essential to give away to the Muslims: one third as gift to the poor and the needy, one third should be given to friends and relatives and one third kept to oneself.

v) For one who intends to make the sacrificial slaughter it is Sunnah not to shave his hair or clip his nails after Dzul Hijjah moon is sighted, until the time of slaughter. (Sahih Muslim)

Enjoyment in 'Eid Days

Islam urges us to enjoy life with every lawful means of enjoyment. Especially on 'Eid days the Islamic spirit of enjoyment and brotherhood becomes manifest. Thus Islam nourishes the spiritual aspirations of mankind along with its physical abilities.

On these days everyone should be happy with his family, his wife, his children, his Muslim brothers and sisters. Show mutual concern by exchanging gifts, smiling on the face of each other and expressing sincere love and affection to show the bondage of real brotherhood which stems from the belief in Allāh . All Muslims should cherish brotherly feeling in their hearts toward each other, avoid talking behind each other's backs, avoid blaming one another and avoid causing disruption in the Muslim community.

These are the days when we should glorify Allāh and observe His signs to have piety in our hearts.

[Via MSA]

Significance of Eidul Adha

The day of Eidul Adha is known the world over as Eidul Kabir, or the Major Feast. It is distinguished from Eidul Fitri, which is the Minor Feast, known also as Eidul Saghir. The Eidul Adha is actually celebrated by Muslims two months and ten days after the Minor Feast.


The word eid’ means a recurring festival. The name of Eidul Adha means the Feast of Sacrifice. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the lunar month of Dzulhijjah.


On the ninth day of Dzulhijjah, pilgrims proceed to the plains of the Mount of Arafat, outside Makkah and they spend their time totally in worship. This is infact the core of the worship of Hajj, without which no Hajj is said to have been performed. On that evening, pilgrims proceed from Arafat to Muzdalifah.


Early in the morning of the 10th day of Dzulhijjah, the pilgrims having offered their prayers at Muzdalifah proceed to the three pillars to cast seven stones at the symbols of Satan. This ceremony of casting stones has been performed since the days of Prophet Ibrahim [Abraham].


It is a ceremony, which indicates one should cast away the evil of Satan repeatedly and resolve never to listen to him again, nor to succumb to temptations. In fact, the word for the casting process in Arabic is ‘rajm’, which means throwing of stones or stoning to death.


Then, pilgrims return to Mina, with a pure slate of mind and heart, where they perform the sacrifice of animals. This process commemorates the event when Prophet Ibrahim known as the Companion of Allah [Khalilul Rahman] was about to sacrifice his most beloved treasure, his son.


It was his only son then, whom he begot in old age after sincerely having implored Allah, for a son for a very long time. It was Isma’il, his beloved and righteous son who was destined also to become a prophet. He is known as Dhabih Allah, or the chosen sacrifice of Allah. Hajj is in fact, considered a reaffirmation of the faith of Prophet Ibrahim, whom is considered the Father of all prophets.


For those who did not go to Hajj, like most of us, it is celebrated as a feast. We begin with the prayers of `eid, following which, sacrifices of animals are made and the meat is to be shared with the poor.


It is a pity that over scores of years, the act of sacrifice lost its meaning. It has become a mere ritualistic performance among Muslims who sometimes slaughter goats, sheep and cows annually and mechanically, without understanding the underlying significance.


There is a difference between mere charity and sacrifice. Charity is a regular all-time practice of helping the needy and no particular day is fixed for it. In the case of sacrifice is an annual ritual, which is to be performed on the prescribed days commencing with Eidul Adha.

Ibadah korban akan dilaksanakan bagi memperingati ketaatan Nabi Ibrahim S.A.W kepada Allah S.W.T. untuk menyembelih anaknya, Isma'il selepas bermimpi melakukannya sebagai menerima perintah Allah S.W.T yang juga ditaati oleh Isma'il. Ketaatan itu dibalas oleh Allah dengan menggantikannya dengan seekor kibas.

Di Pakistan, unta antara ternakan utama yang menjadi pilihan untuk dibuat korban selain kambing, lembu dan kerbau.

Eid Mubarak to all.