Eid-el-Kabir: Don’t use loan money to buy sacrificial animals, clerics urge Muslims

As Muslims around the world prepare for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration this Friday, prominent Islamic scholars have issued a timely reminder urging the faithful not to take cooperative or bank loans just to purchase sacrificial animals.

Their caution comes as Saudi Arabia officially announced Thursday as Arafat Day, marking the climax of the annual Hajj rites and setting the stage for Eid festivities the following day.

Speaking on the spiritual significance of the occasion, the scholars emphasized that Islam does not place unnecessary financial burdens on believers. They reminded Muslims that the act of sacrifice during Eid-el-Kabir is only required of those who can afford it without hardship.

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Those who spoke with me include the chief Imam of Hilal Crescent Centre Mosque, GRA, Ilorin, Prof. Badmas Yusuf and the chief Imam of Issa Elelu Central Mosque, Murtala Mohammed road, Ilorin, Alh Abubakar Aliy- Kamaldeen.

Yusuf, a teacher of Islamic Studies at the University of Ilorin, enjoined the Muslims who are able to sacrifice animals to immediately distribute the meat to the poor who are eagerly waiting for it, adding that they should not delay the distribution of the meat till the next day.

He said this is necessary to make the poor happy and feel the essence of the festival.

The don also cautioned those that would observe the two- rakkah Eid- el- Kabir prayer at the Eid praying ground in Ilorin, Kwara State to avoid political sloganeering, but instead concentrate on offering praises to the Almighty Allah who has spared their lives to witness the festival.

For his part, Ustaz Aliy- Kamaldeen reminded Muslims that Eid- el- Kabir is primarily about obedience to Allah, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.

” Make sure your intention is sincere, seeking Allah’s pleasure, not social recognition. Focus on the spiritual importance and not just the ritual:

The sacrifice is symbolic. What Allah wants is taqwa (God-consciousness), not the meat or blood. (Qur’an, 22:37),” he said.

While urging Muslims to prioritise within their means, the cleric added that,” Islam does not burden anyone beyond their capacity. If you can’t afford to sacrifice, you are not sinful. If you can’t slaughter an animal, try to contribute through sadaqah, helping others to celebrate as joy sharing is a part of the Sunnah.”

The cost of sacrificial animals, especially ram is on the high side at animal markets in Ilorin metropolis.

LEADERSHIP also observed low patronage with ram sellers lamenting that they might not be able to recoup the money they had invested in buying the animals.

The smallest ram goes for between N70,000 and N100,000 in the animal markets at Ipata and Mandate – Adewole.

However, the Muslim faithfuls in Ilorin were in high spirit, buying clothes and shoes for their children for the celebration of the festival.