On Thursday, September 24 Muslims all over the world celebrated the annual Eid ul Adha popularly called Eid ul Kabir or big Sallah. The festival is synonymous with slaughtering of some selected animals, especially rams. The story of Prophet Ibrahim who wanted to slaughter his son, Prophet Ismail was the genesis of the festival.
Muslims in Saudi Arabia on Arafat plain
Prophet Ibrahim had wanted to slaughter his first child upon the commandment of his Lord, before Allah substituted him with a ram.
There was heavy downpour in some states across Nigeria. Worshippers were drenched from head to toe during the Eid (Sallah) prayer. They believed it was showers of forgiveness and blessings from their Creator.
Muslim faithfuls observing Eid ul Kabir prayer
Sallah is celebrated twice a year. The first is Eid ul Fitri or small Sallah. This is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan fast. The other one is called Eid ul Adha, which was celebrated last week Thursday.
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Nigeria’s number one citizen, President Muhammadu Buhari also participated in the Sallah prayer. In the president’s Sallah message, he advised Muslims and Nigerians in extension to focus on commitment and selfless service to the nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim leaders after the Eid ul Kabir prayer in his home town in Katsina state
Other distinguished political leaders also gave their goodwill messages. They included the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara as well as some state governors.
Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari and Senate president Bukola Saraki greeting each other after the Eid Ul Kabir prayer in Ilorin Kwara state
The celebration of Eid ul Kabir falls on tenth of Dhul Hijjah every year. Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and last month of the Islamic Hijra calendar.
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From right to left: APC National leader Bola Tinubu, Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu, former Lagos state governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and Lagos state House of Assembly speaker Mudashiru Obasa after the Eid ul Kabir prayer in Lagos
Muslims, young and old; male and female all trooped out in their thousands to observe the Sallah prayer at the Eid prayer ground. They were adorned in various dresses and attires. Chief Imams of Central Mosques led the prayer. The Imams delivered sermons after the Eid prayer.
The contents of their sermons focused more on advising Muslims to show neighbourly love to people of other faiths, compassion and generosity and to appreciate Allah for sparing their lives to witness the festival.
President Muhammadu Buhari being assisted as he slaughtered Sallah ram
The Imams also reminded worshippers that Allah did not look at the size of the animals slaughtered, but the piety of slaughtering the animals and the way in which parts of the meats were distributed to the poor. Muslims were also reminded to invite guests and neighbours for Eid ul Adha (feast of the sacrifice).
A Chief Imam slaughtering ram after the Eid ul Kabir prayer
Some Muslims slaughtered rams, while those without financial muscle did not. Some even slaughtered cattle and camels. However, no slaughtering of animal was done by any Muslim until the Imams had slaughtered the rams at the Eid prayer ground. After the Imams slaughtered the rams, they raised the blood stained knives in the air and Muslim faithfuls who witnessed the slaughtering all shouted, Allahu Akbar (God is great).
The post PHOTOS: How Muslims Celebrated Eid Ul Kabir appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.
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