A former Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid, tells SOLOMON ODENIYI the significance of slaughtering rams during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration and other issues
What is the significance of Eid-el-Kabir?
Eid-el-Kabir is one of the two festivals we have in Islam. It is an occasion to celebrate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in submission to Allah’s command. The essence of celebrating Eid-el-Kabir is to imitate the sacrifice done by Ibrahim. He was instructed by God to sacrifice his son, Ismail; he obeyed and did not argue with God. However, at the point of doing that, God provided a ram that was used to replace his son. In essence, we are doing this to understand the value of sacrifice as well as to be able to love one another.
What are the rules guiding the celebrations?
First of all, somebody who has the means must sacrifice a ram or a goat, or a camel. But for those who are in Hajj, camels are preferable. However, for those who are at home, rams are preferable. The issue is that when you slaughter that animal, you are meant to share it with your loved ones, neighbour, friends, and colleagues. That is very important. It is a way of showing care to your fellow humans which the celebration is all about.
Why did you say people observing Hajj can kill camels, while people back home can kill rams? Is the celebration different there?
All of us are celebrating one thing. You know the Hajj is an international gathering and therefore what you consume there is more than the one at home; that is why a camel is preferred for them. The quantity of the meat is more important there than the quality, but at home, the quality of the meat is more important.
Is it a must that Muslims must use ram for celebrations at home?
No, it is not a must. We are permitted to use eight types of animals for the celebration, according to the Quran. The first on the list is a ram, which explains why you see us buying rams during the celebration. The second is a she-ram, then a goat. The fourth is a she-goat, the fifth is a cow, a she-cow is the sixth, and a camel and she-camel are the seventh and eighth respectively. The Quran backed this up and in it, Allah mentioned how it started. We also have another where Allah mentioned the eight animals we can use for the celebration.
Ram is expensive, how can Muslims navigate this?
Allah never imposes something on somebody without having the means to do it. If you don’t have enough resources to slaughter animals, just provide good food for your family to make them happy. It is not that you will owe people to celebrate. Do it according to your means.
How can any Muslim who does not have money to buy a ram still celebrate?
Yes. They can celebrate by going out for Eid prayers which is in the early morning and after the prayer, they can share whatever they have, not necessarily meat. They can share gifts, cook food or anything and share them with their neighbours or friends. They have to also utilise the moment to extend greetings to their loved ones which could be in the form of going for visitation to people that are far away from them. The essence of this is just to share happiness with other people.
During this period, many people, especially women, buy new clothes for the celebration. Is this contained in the Quran?
It is allowed to buy new clothes if you have the means. If you do not have the means, the most important thing on the day of the celebration is to appear neat. If you have an old cloth that is clean and neat, wear it. If you have the means to buy new clothes, you should buy them and appear neat. In Islam, it is an abomination to press yourself economically just to participate in Islamic celebrations. Everything we are doing, the Quran asks us to do it within our means. This is because you don’t have to put yourself in a state of want after the celebrations.
What if a Muslim has the means but refuses to slaughter a ram, is there any offence in that?
It has a punishment knowing that you have the means. Allah provided for you and he asked you to do something and you refused to do it without any genuine reason. It shows you are disregarding the commandment and that attracts a grave punishment.
There is a practice by some Muslims in the South where they say a young man with the means cannot celebrate when his father or elder relatives is alive. Is this scriptural?
This is a culture not welcomed by Islam. As a Muslim, if you have the means and you are mature, you have to do it. There is no culture/practice that should prevent you from killing a ram because your parents are alive or your older brothers do not have the means of doing it and you are the youngest in the family. Islam permits it. However, there is a recommendation that if you have the means and your father is alive and he does not have the means, you can share with him.
What will be your message to Muslims across the country?
Let us use this celebration to ensure that there is relative peace in the country. There should be tolerance and love. You are aware of what is happening in Plateau State. I am appealing to Christians and Muslims; we do not have another place to call our country than Nigeria. We have to consider the unity of the nation first. The unity of Nigeria is very important. The politicians must guard their utterances and not set the country on fire. (Punch)
