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Tag: Sallah celebration

  • Sallah Celebration: Significance, day of Arafah for Muslims

    Sallah Celebration: Significance, day of Arafah for Muslims

    The Day of Arafah is the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, falling on June 15, 2024.

    It’s a day of immense divine forgiveness, mercy, and blessings, and marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage.

    The significance of the Day of Arafah:

    The Prophet Muhammad highlighted the Day of Arafah as a time of forgiveness, mercy, and blessings. It offers an opportunity to enhance good character, seek forgiveness, and draw closer to Allah (SWT).

    The Day of Arafah also marks the occasion when the Prophet Muhammad delivered his farewell sermon during his last pilgrimage. 

    On this day, he testified that Allah (SWT) had perfected His religion, completed His favours upon him and all Muslims, and approved Islam as a religion.

    The Day of Arafah is also known as Yawm Al-Waqf (the Day of Standing). It refers to the fact that pilgrims stand in front of their Lord for long periods of time, asking for His Divine Mercy.

    For those performing Hajj, the 5th Pillar of Islam, the Day of Arafah is the most important day.

    Hajj is a pilgrimage every financially able and healthy Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime. 

    During the pilgrimage, Arafah marks the essence and heart of it. As the Prophet Muhammad said: “Hajj is Arafat” (Abu Dawud).

    Acts of Worship on the Day of Arafah:

    Pilgrims performing Hajj head to Mount Arafat to make Dua and ask for forgiveness. Those not performing Hajj can fast on this day to receive blessings and rewards. 

    Read Also: Sallah celebration: Rituals, observances of Eid-ul-Adha 

    Other encouraged acts of worship include:

    – Devoting oneself to Allah (SWT)

    – Seeking forgiveness

    – Performing good deeds

    Pilgrims perform the following rituals on the Day of Arafah:

    – Pray Fajr Salah in Mina

    – Head to the plains of Mount Arafat

    – Make Dua and ask for forgiveness

    – Observe shortened Dhuhr and Asr prayers (two rakat instead of four)

  • Sallah celebration: Rituals, observances of Eid-ul-Adha 

    Sallah celebration: Rituals, observances of Eid-ul-Adha 

    Eid-ul-Adha is a significant festival in Islam that highlights the values of unity, faith, and sacrifice. 

    While the sacrifice of livestock and consumption of meat are physical aspects of the celebration, the true essence of Eid-ul-Adha lies in its spiritual significance.

    Eid-ul-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God’s command, demonstrating the ultimate act of faith and submission to the divine will.

    The festival promotes unity among Muslims, as they come together to perform the Eid prayer, share meals, and exchange gifts.

    It also reinforces the importance of charity and generosity, as Muslims are encouraged to donate to those in need and share their blessings with others.

    Below are four key points to note for the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha celebration:

    1. Eid Day Prayer: On Eid ul-Adha morning, all the Muslims gather in an open spaces (Praying ground) to perform the Eid prayer. It is known as Salat al-Eid. This congregational prayer consists of two rakats (units). 

    Read Also: Katsina grants N45,000 Sallah bonuses to each civil servant 

    It also includes some additional Takbirs (repeat declarations of Allah’s greatness and might). Moving out to mosques to offer Eid prayer at the announced time fosters a sense of devotion to Allah’s command and humility. After Eid prayers, Muslims exchange warm and heartfelt greetings of ‘Eid Mubarak’.

    2. Sacrificial Offering: The most important and central ritual of Eid ul-Adha is about the sacrifice (Slaughtering of livestock). It is typically a sheep, goat, cow, or camel as per convenience. This act of animal sacrifice symbolizes Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son.

    It demonstrates the compulsion of Muslims’ readiness to accept God’s command without asking any logic or reason. The meat is divided into three equal parts. One-third for the family, one-third for relatives and friends, and exactly one-third for the less privileged or needy.

    3. Distribution of charity: Eid ul-Adha is about sharing and distributing happiness with each other. It emphasizes the importance of generosity, charity and compassion towards the impoverished people of the society. 

    All Muslims are encouraged to donate generously to those in need or lesser than you, especially during this auspicious occasion. The soul of this charity distribution among vulnerable communities is to enhance social interactions to eliminate the social gaps from different strata of society. It promotes the gesture of goodwill and unity among Muslims.

    4. Festive meals: Eid ul-Adha is an ‘Eid of Sacrifice’. It’s a time for great communal gatherings filled with joy and festive meals with family and friends. People cook special dishes and invite neighbors and relatives to share moments of zeal. These amazing feats involve traditional dishes and other tempting delicacies. It enriches the bond of community and kinship. Other than mouth-watering meals, Muslims share gifts as a gesture of love, compassion and generosity.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Epe residents lament high cost of livestock

    As Nigerians prepare for next week’s celebration of Ei-el-Kabir, the residents of Epe in Lagos State have lamented the high cost of livestock.

    A check by our Correspondents shows that while livestock sellers have decried low patronage, customers on the other hand say the cost is high.

    Read Also:Eid-el-Kabir: Don’t increase rams’ prices, cleric urges traders

    Though the livestock are available at the popular ram markets at the Oke-Oyinbo and T-Junction in Epe respectively, sellers are complaining of low patronage.

    Mr Waheed Alaka, a buyer at T Junction Cattle Market, expressed his displeasure over the ridiculous prices of ram this year.

    Alake, who said that Muslims this time last year had started, buying, rams and keeping in their homes for the Sallah celebration, however, noted that the reverse was the case this year.

    “There are lots of livestock available for sale but because of high cost, there is low turnout of buyers.

    “I wish as Sallah draws closer, the sellers will reduce their prices,” he said.

    Another buyer, Saheed Lawal, expressed optimism of a reduction in the cost of ram when more rams flood the markets in days to come.

    “The competition is low for now. By the time more livestock dealers bring more rams to the community, I believe the prices will fall,” he said.

    Yet another customer, Mr Kabiru Hassan, said that the size of a cow that sold for N120,000 last year, now sells for as much as N180,000.

    “I came to the market to buy one cow and two rams. But unfortunately, the money I have can only afford one cow.

    “I wish something urgent can be done to regulate the prices of livestock in the market,” he said.

    Mrs. Toyin Aladesanmi, a buyer, who expressed her disappointment at the astronomic price of rams at Oke-Oyinbo livesstocks market, saying the market, had been highly recommended because of its relative cheap prices.

    “A friend of mine recommends this market to me. That live stocks are relatively cheaper here but on getting here, it is another ball game entirely.

    “As you can see the size of the ram I have just purchased for N75, 000, the same size sold for N50, 000 last year.

    The Chairman, Cattle Dealers Association at Oke-Oyinbo Market, Alhaji Abubakar Danyaro, attributed the high cost of livestock to the current economic hardship in the country.

    According to him, the small, average and big rams this year are selling at N70,000, N80,000 and N110,000 respectively, as against N50,000, N55,000 and N75,000, they sold for the previous year.”

    He adduced reasons for the hike in the prices of ram to the flooding that affected livestock in some parts of northern Nigeria.

    “We too buy the livestock from the farmers in the North. The amount we buy them determines the amount we sell and vice versa.

    “We incur lots of expenses and we have to add it to the price of the rams. Transportation cost and others are not friendly too,” he said.

    He said that a cow that used to sell for N130, 000, now sells for between N150, 000 and N170, 000.

    He added that many of the livestock are brought from Niger Republic.

    “People are complaining of the hike in price, but they must understand that we didn’t buy them cheap.

    “So, there is nothing we can do but pray that things improve in the coming days,’’ he said.‎

     

  • Kogi: Army kill suspected gang leader

    Kogi: Army kill suspected gang leader

    • Followers raze chief, DPO’s residence

    As Muslims all over the world continued the Sallah celebration over the weekend, soldiers on Sunday night moved quietly in on an alleged gang leader in the Ihima area of Okehi Local Government Area in Kogi State, putting an end to his reign of terror in the locality.

    Security forces, it was gathered have been on the trail of the youthful but dreaded gang leader, whose name was given simply as Luqman, over alleged killings and attacks on rival clan members by his group.

    An impeccable source who pleaded not to be named for obvious reasons said that the soldiers, acted on “solid” information before moving in on the alleged gang leader in Ihima, where he held sway.

    Trending: PDP insists Edo ex-Speaker must face trial

    Other sources added that the soldiers went away with the remains of their target and evacuated the area immediately afterwards.

    His group on getting wind of his death were said to have mobilized, razing the residence of the Ohi (clan chief) and that of the Divisional Police Officer in Ihima.

    Speaking with The Nation Sunday night, another source who also declined to be named, narrated that she just returned to Lokoja, the state capital, from Ihima where she went to celebrate the Sallah, and witnessed fire billowing from a razed building.

    According to her: “The Army knew (Luqman) was in town for the Sallah celebration; they got their information right. He had been on the wanted list for a very long time. Everybody is afraid of him and his members. If you even mistakenly address his wife, they will deal with
    you. A small boy like this, but he has power.

    Related Post: Who will stop the rot in Kogi?

    “He threatened to kill the Ohi; no one dare’s him. When the soldiers killed him they took away his body and left immediately. If they had not, they would have been attacked. That is how it is here. But, when his boys heard what happened, they went to the Ohi’s place and set it on fire, they also went to DPO house. As I speak, smoke is up in the air all around Ihima”.

    When contacted, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Williams Aya, said he was with “Oga”, but that he will get back after confirming from him.

    He said, “I am with my Oga (CP) now. I will confirm and get back to you”.

    He was however yet to till the time of filing this report.

  • 16 killed in multiple suicide attack on UNIMAID

    16 killed in multiple suicide attack on UNIMAID

    The peaceful Sallah celebration in Borno state was short lived as the town was yet engulfed with series of suicide bomb attacks on Maiduguri metropolis including one at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).

    The Police Spokesman in Borno State DSP Victor Isuku who confirmed the incident Sunday night said a total of sixteen people including the suicide bombers were killed during the multiple attacks.

    While giving the details of the attacks in a statement made available to journalists in Maiduguri, Mr. Isuku explained that the suicide attacks took place at different location of the town involving many casualties.

    The statement reads: ” Yesterday 25th June, 2017 at about 2221hrs.

    “A male suicide bomber, gained entry into the premises of University of Maiduguri, and detonated PBIED on his body near the Rapid Response Services Office building.

    “The suicide bomber died while three (3) University security personnel on duty were injured.

    “One of the injured security personnel, a female (whose identity was given as Becky Edubi), later died while being attended to at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

    “In another development at about 2230hrs same night, Four (4) female suicide bombers infiltrated Zannari community in Gwange general area of Jere LGA.

    “Two (2) of the suicide bombers detonated PBIEDs on their bodies in two residential buildings.

    “The bombers died killing eight (8) other persons while eleven (11) others were injured.

    The third bomber detonated killing himself alone.

    “The fourth female suicide bomber, identity not known, who was arrested also died the same night as a result of injuries she sustained.

    “Yet in another development, today at about 0408hrs, Two (2) female suicide bombers detonated PBIEDs on their bodies within the premises of University of Maiduguri.

    “One detonated close to the Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition Centre Complex killing herself with no other casualty.

    “The other suicide bomber detonated behind Works Department complex also killing herself with no other casualty. EOD/SARS and patrol teams were mobilized to the scenes. The dead and injured were evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

    “The EOD sanitised and rendered the various scenes and their neighbourhoods safe.
    Normalcy restored.

    “In all, sixteen (16) persons including the suicide bombers died in the multiple explosions while thirteen (13) persons were injured,” the statement explained.

     

  • Sallah: Borno restricts vehicular movement

    Sallah: Borno restricts vehicular movement

    Ahead of the Sallah celebration, Borno State Police command has issued an order prohibiting the movement of vehicles until after the Eid prayers on sallah day.

    In a statement issued by the state police public relation DSP Victor Isuku said the measures though regrettable but is to ensure a hitch free celebration.

    The statement reads: “In view of the Eid-el-fitr sallah celebration coming up on or about 25/6/2017, Borno state police command wishes to reiterate its commitment towards ensuring a crime/ hitch free celebration. In pursuance therefore, the residents of Maiduguri metropolitan council and Jere local government areas are by this release informed that, there will be restriction of vehicular movement until after the Eid prayers on 25/6/2017. The restriction will include the use of motor vehicles, tricycles, bicycles and animals except those on essential duties.

    “This restriction though regrettable, is necessary in view of recent security concerns. Moslem faithfuls are therefore advised to pray at Eid prayer grounds close to their homes.

    “While wishing all and sundry a happy sallah celebration, the command wishes to advise the general public to be security conscious at all times and to report any strange or suspicious person(s)/movements or objects to the nearest police officer/station or other security agencies,” the statement explained.