Nigerian Muslims joined the counterparts worldwide over the weekend to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir; the holiest festival in the Muslim calendar, which honors the uncharacteristic willingness of the Prophet, Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isma’il as an act of submission to Allah’s command, before Allah informed him that his sacrifice had already been accepted, hence there was no need to kill his only son. As Nigerians celebrate this year’s unusual Eid, a muted celebration across the country amidst worsening insecurity and the deadly Coronavirus pandemic, Nigerian leaders should reflect seriously on what their actions and inactions have done to the country at this time when our healthcare system has failed us.
Whereas authentic religion and genuine worship necessarily involve sacrifice and self-denial as exemplified by Abraham, the practice in Nigeria appears to be a religion of convenience that glamorizes wealth, pleasure and power and that makes little provision for self-sacrifice. This is the time to ask our leaders at all levels questions about service delivery. If Nigerian leaders cultivate a new disposition in discipline, service, sacrifice and visionary leadership, Nigeria will rise to new heights in politics and socio-economic development, and thereby regain its dignity in the comity of nations. All Nigerians should thus spare some time for reflection on the way forward for the country during this Sallah holiday.
And as Allah makes the sacrificial animal to submit to us, we should also submit our ego to the Creator. The significance of the Sallah rams to Muslims cannot be over-emphasized. It remains a core tenet of the Islamic faith. So important is the slaughtering of ram at Sallah, that it permeates the rich and the poor. The meat from the sacrificed lamb is usually divided into three parts. The family retains one-third; another third is given to relatives, friends, and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy. This therefore, symbolizes love towards humanity.
However, given the parlous state of the economy amid a global health epidemic that obviously took its toll on the celebrations, especially the ability to buy rams, this year’s celebration was predictably a low-key affair. Quite frankly, many Muslim faithful were not be able to afford rams this year. Although there was a similar development last year, this year seems to have been further deepened, especially with the stuttering shutdown of inter-state commerce as part of government’s efforts to combat the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus.
Most traders across the country at ram markets blamed this development and terrorism in the northern part of the country from where rams are brought. But Eid 2020 should not be a season of lamentation. It is a season of reflection on the great lessons from Prophet Abraham who believed Allah and took control of his life and granted his heart desires. Same way if all Nigerians can trust Allah, He is going to take care of us. This is one lesson of this year’s muted celebrations. Another lesson is that Nigerians should learn the habit of doing good to your fellow citizens at all times since anyone can leave this world at any time.
There are other lessons, which include: first, there are bound to be trials and tribulations, which are part of life, and Nigerians need patience to overcome them. (Quran 2 vs. 155 and Quran 29 vs.1-2). Nigerians have exercised their legendary patience with the promises from the Buhari administration, as they look for solutions to the current socio-economic downturn and security challenges confronting the nation. Prophet Abraham had patience and trust when he was praying for a child.
Besides, we need high trust, faith and total obedience to Allah, as demonstrated by Abraham. This endears one to Allah and qualifies one for His blessings. Nigerians should ask themselves whether we are truly doing all these. Again, loyalty and cooperation help to overcome tension. Abraham and his son agreed in all sincerity that Allah’s will, though hard to do, must be done. Their apprehension however turned to a big relief in the end. Nigerians should agree to live together in peace and sincerely join hands together to develop the nation. Eid celebrations encourage us to forgive and give, to share and care. This lesson should be reflected in our daily lives and dealings with fellow citizens. There should be national unity. No more hate culture, no more the character assassination, threats of violence and vows of national calamity. No more abuse of integrity and glamorous promotion of corruption in high places.
Meanwhile, mercy is what all Muslims are expected to demonstrate at this time. We need to forgive one another in this time of love. We also need to believe in Almighty Allah and ourselves. The Prophet was a trustworthy and faithful person to Allah. He believed so much that whatever happened to him, Allah was capable of taking care of them. His only joy, (son) gotten at old age, and without minding the cost, he sacrificed him, in obedience to the Creator. What a great lesson we need to learn from him! He made a promise, which he fulfilled. And that is also telling the government there is a need to fulfill promises made to Nigerians all times. They promised heaven and earth before we voted them into power but where are those promises today?
In fulfilling that promise, the Prophet gained mercy, which is another lesson. Whatever promise you made, according to the Holy Qur’an, Allah will surely hold you accountable for that promise. That is one thing Nigerian leaders should learn from the Prophet who exemplified it. We enjoin all Muslim brothers and sisters and indeed Nigerians to learn from that. Another lesson is that people should believe that Allah gave them whatever they have today for a purpose, which is to assist others that do not have. If we don’t emulate from these teachings, definitely we are not doing Sallah the way it should be done.
Prophet Mohammed said: “If you kill a ram, take what you and your family can eat, that the rest should be shared with others to ensure that you make everyone happy and comfortable. That is the main essence of the festival. It’s not everybody that can afford to kill ram at this time of recession. But those who can afford to kill rams should ensure they give to the less privileged around them. When you kill the ram, it is not for you and your family alone. You are encouraged to share it to neighbors around. If you can afford it, then please give other condiments, aside from the meat. Everything will be rewarded.”
This is actually the definition of true patriotic love that Nigerians seem to have lost. This is, therefore, a period of reflection on how to regain our humanity that we appear to have lost to corruption and bad governance in our country. There should be less of rampant impunity and more of decorum and civility under the law. The entire country should begin to witness a resurrection of its latent potential for greatness. This country deserves a change in focus, in attitude, in orientation, and in commitment to the highest standards of leadership and citizenship.
