Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu EIDUL ADHA A SOURCE OF ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIP WITH ALLA ALMIGHTY AND SERVING HUMANITY

As we celebrate this day therefore. We should reflect on the Islamic teaching about peace and what we can do individually and collectively to portray the true Islamic teaching about peace. The Eidul Adha is indeed a great lesson in that regard. It teaches us that there are to obligations on every believer. One is the obligation to submit to Allah Almighty and dedicatedly obey all His commandments for the purification of our soul and the second obligation is to selflessly serve His creation with love and cause them no harm whatsoever. These two obligations are inseparable. Allah almighty is should be the central pillar of all our actions and thoughts. If the relationship with Allah Almighty if firm, all forms of mischief and disorder disappear from the individual and the community. Allah Almighty tells us if we sincerely belief in him and do away with all evil. Then shall we hold onto a handle that knows no breaking and Allah almighty will become our Friend and remove us from every darkness to all forms of spiritual and moral enlightenment. If that is not done. Then disorder strives and hatred becomes the order of the day

Service to humanity is closely related to one’s relationship with Almighty. He is far from Allah Almighty who unjustifiably inflects suffering on other people. The Holy Prophet Muhammed Mustafa (S.A.W) said that Allah almighty does not show mercy on the one who is not merciful to others. He further said that other peaceful people should not be harmed by Muslims. In fact the Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said that slandering a fellow Muslim is disobedience and killing him is disbelief. Therefore the killings in the name of Islam have nothing to do with Islam. Islam is non-violent and promotes peace at every opportunity

These are lessons we should learn from this day. The three pious people (father, mother and son) we are remembering were shining stars in their relationship with Allah Almighty. They wholly submitted to him and serve him without any reservations. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was ready to literally sacrifice his one and only son at the time in the way of Allah Almighty to fulfill a dream. The son willingly submitted to the will of Allah Almighty and the mother had no objections when she and her son where apparently helplessly left in the wilderness without food attracted to the family of prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Makkah became a source of security because of their selfless service to humanity. Then the greatest of all humanity, Holy prophet Muhammad Mustapha (SAW), was raised from his progeny who laid the everlasting foundation of global peace and spiritual sustenance

Therefore let us reflect on this day and individually and collectively strive to emulate these three in their submission to Allah almighty and service to humanity. We must also reflect on the teachings and practices of our dear and beloved master. The Khatamul Anbiya Muhammad Mustapha (SAW). Who was the price of peace and who has in him the highest moral excellences and is an excellent model and example for the entire humanity before and all ages to come. We must show in our words and actions that Islam is peace peaceful neighborliness and co-existence should be the distinctive feature of every Muslim. The celebration of the Eid will be least useful if these changes are not effected in us because Allah Almighty says that neither the flesh nor the blood of the sacrificial lambs reach Allah Almighty it is the fear and love of Allah Almighty that reaches the Beloved Lord and our Creator

As we celebrate this day, let us remember the poor and needy among us and provide them the means to partake in the celebration. We should also continue to pray for all countries entangled in disorder and war that Allah Almighty may grant them peace and security and protect the Muslims and the Muslim world from further destruction and also prayer for entire humanity at large

I convey to you the salaam, prayers and EID MUBARAK of his Holiness. Hadhrat Kahalifatul Masih V (ATBA) Hadhral Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Supreme and Spiritual Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, on behalf of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat the Gambia, I convey to you EID MUBARAK.

May Allah Almighty make the Eid a source of peace and unity for the Muslim Ummah. May he establish in or hearts the love and desire to wholly submit to him and selflessly serve his creation. May he enable us witness many more Eids in peace, security and harmony. May he continue showering peace stability security and prosperity upon our dear and beloved motherland the Gambia and encompass us all with his grace and mercy. Ameen