A day of celebration, Dhikr and honouring parents
Today is a day of celebration, remembrance of Allah and honouring parents, mosque-goers will be told, the first day of Eid Al Adha.
It is a season for performing rites and acts of worship, Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), affection, delight and celebration, the sermon will say.
During these days, pilgrims visit the sacred House of Allah and stand on the Mount of Arafat. On this day, Muslims observe fasting and occupy themselves in acts of worship, and thus win the greatest and most rewarding recompense of Allah – paradise.
Prophet Mohammed said in this regard: “There is no day when Allah saves more servants from the punishment of the hellfire than on the day of Arafat.”
Today, Muslims will reap the fruits of piety and righteous acts. About these days, the Messenger of Allah said: “These days are days of eating, drinking and Dhikr.”
“Truly, in this there is an indication to the leniency, tolerance, mercy and easiness of Islam. Setting a role model for humanity,” the sermon will say.
Tolerance and mercifulness is never lost with Allah, but rewarded greatly.
“This is because, with pardoning, people’s hearts will be purified and brought close to each other.”
And as Prophet Mohammed said: “Show mercy and you will be shown mercy. Forgive and Allah will forgive you.”
Eid is also an opportunity to show kindness and gratitude to our parents. As a verse from the Quran says: “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good.”
Fathers should also be kind to their daughters and sons, siblings to one another and people to each other in general by speaking good words.
Sacrificing a goat for Eid, to distribute its meat to the less fortunate, also has its ethics, the sermon reminds worshippers.
It is encouraged for the owner of the sacrifice to attend to its slaughter and recite Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar).
They are also advised to eat from their meat and give away part of it to the poor as a means of help to them. They should also gift a part to family and relatives to maintain the ties of kinship. While doing this, one should have sincere intent, hoping for Allah’s rewards.