 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Commemoration of Eid
Hadiza Wada, DBA …November 20, 2010
The
Eid–al-Adha for the 1431 Hijri Year, corresponding to 2010 of the
Gregorian calendar year has just been concluded.
Eid, which literally means
“solemn Festival” [1] appears in Surah-al-Maida the fifth Chapter of the Holy
Quran, whose title (Table Spread with food) was taken from the story
related in that chapter of the Quran, [2] the occasion of the gift of “Manna and
Quail” from heaven that the followers of Musa, on him be peace (Moses) asked of
their God.
Eid-al-Adha “Solemn Festival of the
sacrifice,” however is a commemoration of one of the times when Patriarch
Abraham’s (on him be peace) depth of faith was tested by his Lord “The Creator
God” who commanded him in repeated visions to offer in sacrifice to Him (Allah)
his only son then, whom he got from his second wife, after years without issue
with his first wife.
Not only was
that occasion recognized and commemorated; Abraham’s second wife’s commemoration
of the show of faith and fortitude continues to also be commemorated at the
annual event. Every pilgrim who
visited “the House of Allah” (Ka’aba) the cubic building at the middle of the
holy Mosque in Makka, has to also commemorate Hajar’s pacing between the two
mountains of Safa and Marwa in search of water for her thirsty crying baby,
Ishmael. Both services are
obligated. The circumambulation
seven times around the Ka’aba is followed by the same number of pacing between
the two mountains (seven times). The
valley of Makka, the city, and the inhabitants of Arabia in general (Arabs) are
today believed to be the descendants of the family of Abraham from his Egyptian
wife Hajar (Hager) and his son Ishmael.
Both father
and mother’s demonstration of faith are today celebrated within the confines of
the most holy mosque for Muslims in the city of Makka. Hajar’s demonstration of faith was
described in her words to her husband when he brought her to the desert valley
of Makka, described in the Holy Quran as “uncultivable valley” and left her
alone with a baby. It was related
that Hajar asked her departing husband whether he was ordered by his Lord
(Allah) to leave her and her baby there, and he answered that it was ordered. She then said to him, “then Allah
will not abandon us.” She believed him
(her husband) as having told her the truth, and put her full trust in Allah.
Today, the desert city she patiently
stayed in with faith and perseverance, raising her son and progeny in, attracts
through the Hajj occasion the highest number of God’s worshippers on earth.
One of the
most important lessons to get from this; is the fact that Allah does answer his
sincere servant’s prayers. Muslims
have been taught to believe that whosoever raises his hands towards the heaven
and supplicates sincerely, will never bring his hands down unanswered. The time of fulfillment is what Allah
chooses in a manner that is in the best interest of the individual that asked,
and the community of other humans around him including his family and progeny. Remember also that Abraham prayed
that Allah (a) provide the family food and drink (b) Bless the family (c) and
that he makes that valley blessed in such a way as it attracts people who will
(i) worship in the house they built with his eldest son, the Holy Kaaba (ii) and
also bring to his family food and drinks.
It took
thousands of years from the time of Abraham (AS), to when Islam was preached in
Makka by the Holy Prophet of Islam, on him be peace (more than 1430 years ago). The Prophet of Islam might have at
best brought a few thousands of pilgrims with him for Hajj during his lifetime. Today worshippers are in the
millions, answering the initial call of their forefather Abraham, and obeying
the teaching of his descendant Prophet Muhammad, who cleansed the House of false
worship (carved wood and stone statues) and directed the rightful use of the
place, the worship of the One Supreme Creator God, alone.
That was what Abraham also did and
taught, in his own time, and at his place of birth, destroying carved statues at
a temple of worship and directing the worship of One God.
And anyone who
has been to Makka for Hajj will also bear witness to the abundance of food,
drinks and sheer riches in that area.
Yes, the area has been (a) blessed; (b) the call to come for worship by
Abraham (AS) heeded and (c) the blessings in abundance is manifest.
1.
Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Adha Retrieved November 23, 2010.
2.
Ali, A. Y., The Meaning of
the Holy Quran. 11th Ed. Beltsville: Amana Publications, 2006. P. 243 – 287.