Barka de Sallah
THE Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir is here, marking again a time for deep reflection and sacrifice. By slaughtering rams to commemorate the scriptural incident where God substituted a ram for Ishmael who was about to be sacrificed by his obedient and God-loving father, Muslims worldwide are enjoined to appreciate the true essence of love and faith.
The lesson inherent in the celebration is that without the enabling values of love, self-denial, faith and sacrifice the world will be lethargic and unprogressive. God showed Prophet Ibrahim (may the peace of Allah be upon him) the way forward, from which the rest of mankind has taken a cue. Sacrifice however goes beyond merely killing a ram and feasting on it, it entails the need to be our brother's keepers, to offer a helping hand to our fellow beings, and in particular to assist the poor and the needy.
For all Muslims and Christians alike, this is a time for sobriety. The Eid-el-Kabir or Sallah, as it is popularly called in this country, coincides with the performance of the Holy pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, which every Muslim is enjoined to observe at least once in his or her lifetime. The slaughtering of rams indeed takes place immediately after the pilgrims' passage at Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia.
We wish all Nigerians a happy celebration of this significant religious occasion which reminds humanity of higher values. The lessons of this moment should not be overtaken by excessive revelry. Necessarily therefore, the celebration must be observed in moderation and in accordance with Allah's injunctions. Excessive consumption of food and drinks or any kind of reckless conduct would be unwholesome. There should be greater focus on the sharing of love, and affection, and appreciation of the essence of God.
Since the cause of poverty has been traced to corruption and inept leadership, the Eid-el-Kabir provides another opportunity for the country's leaders to have a rethink, and embrace a result-oriented, and people-focused approach that will be beneficial to the masses of Nigerians. The occasion demands that Muslims share love and food with their neighbours. And many would enthusiastically do so. But the spirit of philanthropy should become a permanent feature of their lives, not an occasional religious observance.
Certainly, the central theme of sacrifice is missing in the philosophy of the average Nigerian leader. This has been responsible largely for the greed and corruption that have beclouded their vision and affected the country's growth. Indeed, it will be most unconscionable for our political leaders to loot the treasury under the excuse of Eid-el-Kabir, as happened in the recent past when they bought rams for themselves using public funds. Every political leader should resist the temptation to turn this into an opportunity to steal in God's name
Naturally the Eid-el-Kabir provides opportunity for friendship among citizens. Nigerians should explore this to the fullest with the aim of maximising the positive benefits. Friends are unlikely to wage religious war against themselves, or forcefully deprive their fellow countrymen of their lives and property.
Although the slaughter of a ram during Sallah is not a compulsory obligation; it is reserved only for those who can afford it, many Nigerians unfortunately may not be able to meet the obligation due to the twin factors of poverty and inflation. This year's festival is coming at a time of rising anxieties and expectations. The cost of living has risen. The prices of foods and services have skyrocketed. Ensuring good governance in the Nigerian society, now and in the long run, will make it easier for persons to fulfill their dreams, be they spiritual or existential.
As the festival period entails high mobility with Nigerians travelling in and out of their places of abode, we enjoin motorists to drive carefully, observe speed limits, and take necessary safety precautions, before leaving home and on their way to and from their chosen destinations.
