Celebration of Eid-ul-Azha

The nation is going to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha tomorrow with the usual religious fervor. While it is one of the two most important festivals of the Muslim world over, the true essence of Eid-ul-Azha demands of us not so much of indulgence and merrymaking but understanding the true spirit of the occasion. There is need to rise beyond the rituals and understanding the inner message of the practice. It is a day to move beyond rituals and symbolism, to expurgate the evils in us and commit to ourselves to austere living and sharing our fortunes with those that are not as fortunate as we are. Let that be our resolve.

The day, as ordained by the Prophet of Islam, perpetuates the act of sacrifice of Prophet Abraham and his son Ismail, both of whom readily submitted to the command of Allah to sacrifice unto Him that which was most precious to Abraham. In it contains the true meaning of faith and submission to the will of the Almighty, as demonstrated by Abraham the Prophet and in equal degree displayed by his son who too was destined to be a prophet of Allah. 

The aim of sacrifice, like all other fundamentals of Islam, is to imbibe piety and self righteousness. It also promotes the spirit of sacrifice for a right cause. To explicate its purpose, Allah says in the Quran, "It is not their meat, nor their blood, that reaches Allah; it is their piety that reaches Him."

Regrettably, we have become oblivious of the significance of the practice that the Prophet of Islam reestablished amongst his followers. We are so much taken up with ostentatious behavior, with display of wealth, with outdoing the other in the size and the amount spent on the sacrificial animal, that we have failed to inculcate in ourselves the spirit of sacrifice for a greater and righteous cause, of patience and forbearance, of subservience to Allah. 

This a time when there is huge movement of people all over the country wishing to join their dear and near ones on this occasion. And we seem to be caught unprepared both at the public and private level to cope with the pressure every time, repeatedly. And we are also unprepared to cope with the law and order particularly in terms of providing public safety. 

While we are celebrating the auspicious day, there is need for all of us to exercise caution, to be extra careful on the roads. And the government must also provide the necessary support in terms of extra transport to meet the heavy rush of travelers. It is also essential that full security, both in the capital and on the highways, is provided during the period before and a few days after the Eid to ensure public safety. 

On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha I wish all of the well-wishers Eid Mubarak.