Eid-el-Kabir is an Arabic expression for “Feast of the Sacrifice”. It is also called Bakr-Eid, Sacrifice Feast. Eid-el-Kabir can also be called Eid-al-Adha. The origin of the feast is linked to Ibrahim being ordered to sacrifice his son and he simply obeyed, but, Allah in His infinite mercy gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead of his son Ishmael.
It was the angel Jibril that stopped him and told him that due to his submissiveness, his sacrifice had been accepted. Following this was Ibrahim’s journey from Canaan to the rocky desert of Mecca, Saudi Arabia with his wife Hagar, Adnan, and Ishmael.
On his return to Canaan, he left behind Hagar and Ishmael who ran out of food and water, but by Allah’s divine provision, Hagar and her son were able to drink from a spring of water and even got food to freshen themselves. Ishmael became a prophet and dedicated himself to spreading the message of submission to Allah to nomads in Arabia. This served as a precedent to the Hajj performed during the period.
Eid-el-Kabir is considered the holiest of the two Muslim celebrations; the other being eid el fitr.
During eid, worshippers come out massively for congregational prayers. This is done worldwide.
After the prayers, usually at open fields that serve as masjid or mosques, animals are slaughtered symbolising Ibrahim’s own willingness to sacrifice his own son. The symbolic sacrifice is done in various countries by slaughtering a cow, ram, camel or goat, depending on the predominant culture in a given place.
However, the domestic animal used must be in top form and healthy, outstanding in all ramifications, to qualify for the sacrifice. The animals sacrificed are meant to be divided into three parts. One part is for the family who slaughtered it. While the other two are for relatives and friends. Also, families visit one another and share meals together even after the celebration.
The period is usually characterized by intensive prayer by the faithful for individual families, those in authority and for global peace. Muslims climax the period with gorgeous dressing. Significantly, women seem to attach more interest to trending fashions. Thanks to their husbands who always provide for their families to ensure their wives and children come out in their best attires.
Usually, eid festivities are kicked off by annannouncement by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, regarding the sighting of the new moon, following which a date for eid is calculated.
In Nigeria, on the sideline of activities during the period is the flamboyant display by the royals across all the emirates who richly dress and ride on horses that are well decorated, holding durbars and other social activities which attract all citizens.
There is also an exchange of official visits between the traditional rulers and political leaders. For many years, Eid-El-Kabir celebration, like other religious festivals was used as a tool for galvanizing the citizenry by the government.
On the ocassion of the 2024 Eid el Adha, Nigerian Anchor Newspaper felicitates with our Muslim readers and, indeed, all Nigerians on this blessed month, being a period for sacrifice, charity and dedication to the worship of Almighty God.
As we celebrate the festival, May God accept our prayers and other acts of devotion and bless our families and our nation with Peace, Stability and Progress.
Happy Eid-el-Kabir.
