NIGERIA: Lagos: Eid al-Kabir (Part 1)

We celebrated Eid ul-Fitr (Aidil Fitri) in Malaysia and that was during the school summer holiday, but Eid al-Kabir, Aidil Adha, Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji (Hajj) in Nigeria for a change. It's a two day public holiday, so going back to Malaysia is not an option. 

certainly a one way ticket for the ram

This year's Hajj season was marred with tragedy. First was the crane accident at Masjidil Haram in Mecca and the stampede in Mina (May Allah grant them Jannah). In my mind, the previous Friday's khutbah (sermon) by Imam Sulaiman Ibrahim urging Muslims to do the Qurban (slaughtering of livestock). 

If you've met or have Nigerian friends, they can be very animated during conversation, so does this particular Imam. 
He told the story of Allah's prophet Abraham and his son, Ismael in a very out of ordinary manner....but in a nice way, actually (all the hand gestures and slaughter was a hand across the neck). He mentioned about the livestock, the age, the condition, price and the dividing of the meat. Regarding price, he was talking about the need to strive for the best livestock...but within budget. Do not abandon your niat (intention) and focus on the reward in hereafter....and that is faith. He reminded the verse from the Holy Koran which we recite at least 5 times a day...

"Say. Indeed My prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, The Lord of The Worlds"

- Surah Al An'am/The Cattle (6:162)

I put off the idea of doing the Qurban this year until the moment we were on our way back to Lagos from Abeokuta, Ogun state (story here) where we passed the Kara Market which was full with goats and cattle. 

Kara livestock market, Lagos

NIGERIA: Lagos: Friday!

Friday is here again!!! 

The best day of the week!!!

It's just not the best, but also the grandest among all of the days. So grand that, Allah Almighty bestowed a surah about it (Surah Jumu'ah):

“O you who believe! When the call to prayer is proclaimed on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of God, and leave aside business.  That is best for you if you but knew.” (Quran 62:9)

Apart from the surah, countless Hadith (collection of tradition containing the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), with accounts of his daily practise (sunnah) constitutes the major source of guidance to Muslim apart from the Qur'an.

Abu Huraira reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created. on it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it. And the last hour will take place on no day other than Friday (Qur'an 62:9)