Allah the Almighty has once again avail us an opportunity to reflect on the purpose of our existence. The three whose sacrifice and devotion we are commemorating are dear and loved ones of Allah Almighty. We shall be counted among their company if we imitate their devotion and sacrifice. Allah the Almighty has clearly instructed believers to follow the religion of Hadhrat Ibrahim, meaning we should be wholly submissive to Allah Almighty.
Truthfulness is essential for one to attain the love and pleasure of Allah Almighty.One who who is not truthful to his fellow human beings can never be truthful to Allah Almighty. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) has said that truthfulness leads to piety which ultimately leads to Paradise whereas falsehood leads to vice ultimately leading to Hell. He did not only preach these words; he practiced them. He was known among his contemporaries as the truthful, the trustworthy. He said that if a man adopts truthfulness he would shun all evil.
The world is going through turbulent times because of indifference to truthfulness and justice. These noble qualities could be attained if man sacrifices his base desires for the sake of Allah Almighty. The Eidul Adhia teaches us that great lesson. Hadhrat Ibrahim, Hadhrat Ismail and Hadhrat Hajirah (Allah Almighty be pleased with them) sacrificed their evil desires and devoted themselves to Allah Almighty, thus enabling them adopt truthfulness and attain Allah Almighty’s pleasure.
As we sacrifice the sacrificial animals, let us deeply reflect on our internal conditions; the conditions of righteousness and fear of Allah Almighty. The Holy Qur’an tells us that all actions must be built on sincerity and the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) said that all actions are judged by their motives. The feast is not for merry making and engagement in evil deeds. Early Muslims pride themselves in piety and fear of Allah Almighty. they were recognized by their truthful and sincerity, justice and equal treatment of all. They totally eliminated Satan from their lives and were indeed true and perfect reflections of the devotion and sacrifice of the three we are remembering on the day of Eidul Adhia.
The world shall never bask under the sun of peace and unity without paying heed to the suffering of the poor and the needy. Let us help them to partake in the celebrations of the Eid and thereafter be their noble companions in joy and sorrow.
I hereby convey to you the salaam, prayers and Eid Mubarak of the Supreme and spiritual Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah Almighty strengthen him). He is always praying for the peace, security and prosperity of our dear motherland and the entire humanity at large. On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at the Gambia, I convey to you my deepest and warmest Eid Mubarak.
May Allah Almighty make us all reflections of the sacrifice and devotion Hadhrat Ibrahim (as) and his family. May He enable us fulfill all the demands of truthfulness and justice thereby attaining the love and pleasure of Allah Almighty. May we witness many more Eids in perfect obedience and submission to Him. May He continue guiding and protecting our dear motherland, the Gambia and shower everlasting peace, security, tranquility and prosperity on the country.
