Some families in Nigeria are alive but yet will not celebrate festival tomorrow. Not because they are not Muslims, but because the calamities that afflict them have weighed them down beyond the thought of Sallah. Some have their parents, children, wives, husbands, and beloved ones in kidnappers’ dens.
We do not have option than to give thanks to Allah who spares our souls. Obviously not by our doing as they say, it is by His grace. I don’t think anyone should appreciate life and existence than Nigerians living in Nigeria. It is killing all over. No one is safe. The most fortified places in Nigeria are being attacked. ASO Villa is no exception. The attacks on President’s convoy in Katsina and Kuje Prison where hardened criminals were comfortably freed are the recent ones.
This, and the general poverty in the land, is the reason why we should thank the Almighty for His Grace. The Islamic teachings in this context is to always say Alhamdulillah ‘alakullihaal. This is roughly translated as “praise is to Allah in all circumstances.” Our circumstances are indeed terrible. When a Muslim says this, it is evident that something is wrong. Yes, everything is wrong with Nigeria. We need Allah’s intervention.
Some families in Nigeria are alive but yet will not celebrate festival tomorrow. Not because they are not Muslims, but because the calamities that afflict them have weighed them down beyond the thought of Sallah. Some have their parents, children, wives, husbands, and beloved ones in kidnappers’ dens. Some have sold all their belongings and age long hard earned savings just to have their loved ones freed. Some were lucky to welcome their ransomed loved ones. Some sacrificed all they have laboured for as ransom and yet could not secure their loved ones who were already killed. May Allah forgive our lost ones.
Many households can recount years amounting to decades of slaughtering rams for Sallah festival. However, the case is different this year. No ram, no chicken, nothing. But because there is soul, a Muslim must continue to thank and praise Allah.
Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to celebrate Sallah under this condition which we find ourselves. If you have a little more above your needs, please don’t forget your neighbours who, though will not beg, are in dire need. If you are able to offer anything as sacrifice, please share it widely. The initial but later abrogated ruling concerning Sallah meat is not to keep them beyond three days. This is to encourage Muslims to give out and share generously with those in need when poverty was pervasive. Now that Muslim are not obliged to exhaust their meat within three days and do have the choice to keep them beyond, we may, by our sense of generosity, choose to apply the initial ruling on our slaughtered animals. I am not kidding.
In addition, these animals are slaughtered to please Allah and the condition of slaughtering is to be financially buoyant. It is Allah’s convention not to burden the Muslims beyond their ability. For this reason, do not take loan to buy sacrificial animal. Paying for house rent, children’s school fee, hospital bill and other essential bills is more appreciated and important than slaughtering animal for anyone who is not buoyant enough and lives below poverty line. May Allah ease our affairs.
For the rich among the Muslims who will be offering sacrifice to Allah, let’s also be moderate. Do not engage these rams in fighting. Wrestling rings are not meant for rams. Let’s have the fear of Allah in regards to these animals. Weed smoking cannot be haram for men and become lawful for animals to prepare them for a fight contest. We can slaughter these animals, enjoy consuming them, and still be rewarded by Allah. Conversely, we can enjoy them and earn Allah’s wrath. This has to do with how we get money to possess them, the way we treat them and our intention.
It is festival time. We have to rejoice. Nobody can forbid this. But while we rejoice, we should always remember that Nigeria is bleeding. Thus, we should use this occasion of festivity to supplicate to Allah to heal the country. Let’s make this prayer a priority especially at various praying grounds.
We are in the raining season. I have observed that the rain has been steady. This puts smiles on the faces of our farmers. Their happiness shall, expectedly, translate to the happiness of all if they (farmers) make harvest in abundance. Let’s pray to Allah to continue to send down beneficial rain until our land is full of His blessings—especially food. There is hunger in the land—serious one.
Our leaders? Yes! Many would be reluctant. But we just have to pray for them. Hopefully, if they were reformed through our prayers, the benefit will trickle down to us. O Allah! Have mercy on us. We have wronged our souls. We have distanced ourselves from YOU. We have taken your hands that guide and direct from our affairs. Now we have realized we will remain rudderless without you. We are running back to YOU please accept us; embrace us. We need your hands of mercy in our affairs, please place thou hands on us. Forgive us, guide us, direct our affairs, have mercy on us—and our leaders—indeed You accept repentance.
Readers should please pray for this writer too. He needs Allah’s mercy. If you are far away from me, don’t forget to, even if through WhatsApp, send me Sallah meat. ‘Idul Mubaarak in advance. Taqabbala LLahuminnawaminkum
Abdulkadir Salaudeen
Salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com
