EID-UL-ADHAR AND HAJJ

Eid-ul-Adhar and Hajj

Today is Eid ul Adhar, I've been up since before Fajr. Performed my Namaaz though not in Jamaat as I would have liked to, but did it at home only because I still had so many things to do before I could leave home to attend the Eid Salaah and Khutba. After I had a shower and got dressed,  filled the kettle to make coffee and ironed my white Thowb while waiting for the kettle to boil. I put some bread in the toaster while I was making coffee and laid the table. My wife and I had a light breakfast of toasted cheese and spiced beef sandwiches and coffee.  It was exactly 6:36 when I closed the front door behind me as I left. I had 11 minutes to get to my destination on foot. As I walked in the direction of the mosque, I could  hear the cries in the distance "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Laailaha ill lallah! Wallahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Wa lillahil hamd! "   "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Laailaha ill lallah! Wallahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Wa lillahil hamd! " "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Laailaha ill lallah! Wallahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Wa lillahil hamd! " As I drew nearer the Eidgah, the chanting becoming progressively louder as I walk briskly with my Musalla under my arm. The vibrations in the air coming from 10 thousand voices making Takbier sent shivers down my spine as I drew even closer. The Eidgah was being held on the sports field where the rafia runners were laid out to form as a square of approximately 400 meters x 400 meters and I happen to find a place in the second Saff. I laid down my Musalla, sat upon it and joined in with the Takbier.

Shortly thereafter everyone present stood shoulder to shoulder to perform Salaatul Eid with its 7 additional Takbieraat in the first Raka'aat and with 5 additional Takbrieraat in the second Raka'aat. Followed by a very powerful and long Duah, for Jannah, forgiveness, mercy, guidance, prosperity, Rizk, health and well being for all Muslims and assistance to the Mujahideen, Fee Kulli Makan. 

Thereafter the Imaam started the Eid Khutbah and expounded on the sacrifices of the Hujjaj, who amassed on the plains Arafat the previous day. All chanting "Labaik Allahuma Labaik! Labaik la sharika laka Labaik! Innal Hamda wann'imata laka wal mulk, la sharika lak!"  He drew comparisons between individuals who are not on hajj and the Hujjaj who are. And the sacrifices we need to make in unison with the Hujjaj, like fasting on the day of arafaat and not cutting your nails during the first 10 days of  Thul-Hijjah. He continued about how the Muslims are falling into the same habits that caused the Bani Israel to loose favour with Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala,  Quoting several Qur'anic verses to substantiate his very powerful words. How divided they were that Nabie Moosa had to strike the rock with his staff from which 12 fountains of water gushed forth. Twelve because of their disunity. Ending off with the Qur'anic epic of Nabie Ibraheem eradicating the idols of his people and preferece of belief in the One True God Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, The sacrifice of Nabie Ismail and the running of Sayedati Hajira between Safa and Marwa. 

He further enlightened that Eid al-Adhar is also known as Youmul Nahr, the day of sacrifice in which Muslims slaughter sheep, and cattle for distribution of its meat to family and the needy and keep a portion for personal consumption. Highlighting that it is not the meat nor the blood that reaches Allah but our individual piety. After the sermon my wife and I attended a Qurbaan where 12 sheep and to bulls were slaughtered which took up the better part of the morning. I was there to assist in the chanting of the Takbier, witnessing the blood flow and skinning of the sheep. Since we were invited for lunch elsewhere, we were on our way soon thereafter.
Eidul-Adhar is the celebration commemorating the completion of Hajj in Makkah which has been annually attended by millions of Hujjaj uninterrupted for more than 1436 years. Eidul Adhar is celebrated on the 11 day of  Thul-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic year and within 20 days it will be the 1st of Muharram 1437 A.H