Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Eid-ul Adha Greetings

Muslims in Malaysia will be celebrating Eid-ul Adha. I would like to wish all Muslims Selamat Hari Raya Haji or Korban.

Hari Raya Haji is a syariah-ed Islamic festivity celebrated the whole world to mark the end of the Haj season in Mekah. The Haj is the fifth of the tenet of Islam meant for those affordable and capable.

The distinguishing difference with the Eid-ul Fitri lies in the practise to sacrifice livestock for distribution to the poor. It marks the significance of Eid-ul Adha and Tasyrik Day and could be performed within four days from after the Eid-ul Adha sermon till sunset on 13th Zulhijjah. The animals slaughtered for the ibadah of Korban are usually cow, goat, lamb and camel. The meat is distributed to the public particularly the poor and needy.

From the language perspective, Korban means near. Whilst, the term means to obey the religion or loyal to Allah’s command to be near to Allah. The ibadah of Korban replicates and commemorate the incident in which Allah commanded upon Prophet Ibraham to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail. His son, Ismail was patient and willing to be sacrificed to abide to Allah’s command.

With a heavy heart, Ibrahim was ready to perform the sacrifice till God commanded him to switch Ismail with a goat. It was a great test of obedience and loyalty on Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail. (Update 21 December / 11 Zulhijjah: Watch the following video Your Gift to Allah on Eidul ad-Adha to follow)



Perhaps, it is a worthy question for us Muslims to ponder: What extent are we Muslims ready to abide and defend Allah’s commandments? Are we ready to sacrifice ourself and family and be done with this temporal world for the cause of Allah?

No answer required and no sermon necessary. Tepuk dada tanya selera. Embody these claims ...

Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!



Hari Raya Korban falls on the 10th of Zulhijjah, the last month of the Hijrah Muslim calendar. It holds another significance as the day Prophet Adam was reunited with his wife, Hawa after being brought to to the world from heaven. The place of location is in the Field of Arafah, located outside Mekah.


During the performance of Haj, the Field of Arafah holds a special significance for it is here that all pilgrims gathered at the same time to perform the wukuf. It is believed to be a replication of the gathering at the Field of Mahsyar prior to judgement on the Day of Judgment. Some Islamic scholars believed it is a momentous determinant for our after life.

After the wukuf at the Field of Arafah, pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. The stone pebbles are picked at Muzdalifah along the route of Mina and are thrown at the three Jamrah headstone.

Beyond this symbolism, lets not forget that the biggest "devil" is within ourself.


The Haj is completed after pilgrims perform the circumbulation or tawaf around the Kaabah on their return to Mekah.


For Muslim, Haj is a compulsory trip that constitute one of the six tenets in the practise of Islam. To many Muslim, it is once in a lifetime journey. Lets exclaim a victorious Takbir.

Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha :)

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Kerp (Ph.D) said...

salam Aidl Adha tuan. been wanting to leave a comment or 2 here but will always get freaked out at the 11th hour. being not-so-much a political person, silly mistake bounds to be written. better to just read than making a fool of myself. hihi...

so again, salam Aidl Adha to you and family, sir.

SK said...

A Voice, Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha to you and your family!

Nora aka Anon Fm Miri said...

Bro,

Selamat Hari Raya Korban dan salam ingatan dari Miri

Anonymous said...

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha to you, blogger buddy!

BaitiBadarudin said...

selamat hari raya aidil adha kepada sdr dan keluarga!

Anonymous said...

You said Hajj is one of the "six tenets" of Islam. Didn't you mean 5?

1) Declaration there there is no God but Allah (Muhammad is the last prophet)
2) Prayer
3) Fasting
4) Charity
5) Pilgrimage?

My Say