First ten days of Dhul Hijjah, time to move closer to Allah – Cleric

By Jimoh Sulyman
Muslims have been taught to understand the importance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, which is the 12th and last month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
This was said by the Chief Imam of Sheikh Muhammad Kamaldeen Central mosque, Imam Musa Mustapha Ateere on Friday, while addressing the congregation, in his Khutbah(sermon),before leading the congregants in the compulsory weekly two units prayer.
Imam Ateere added that “in signaling the importance of the ten days ,it is one of the traditions of the noble Prophet Muhammad to fast during the first nine days of the month, whereby the tenth day is the day of Eid when everyone will go out to celebrate” he said.
Cleric however noted that, Eid celebration is not just about the fanfare or the feasting on meat, but the essence of it is to go out to demonstrate our devotion to Almighty Allah.
He added that “Eid l Kabir is a celebration to commemorate our spiritual forefather, Prophet Ibrahim’s show of faith in the face of trial from Allah.
“In the midst Of all the celebrations and merriment, Eid l Kabir is a time for sober reflection and self appraisal of one’s deeds over the year” ,the Imam said.
Also during his remark, the Islamic Scholar advised that, any Muslim that is intending to slaughter a Ram during the Eid should refrain from shaving their hairs and cutting their nails starting from the first day of the Holy month.
Ateere recommended that, in a situation whereby a person is unable to fast during the first 8 days, it is important for a Muslim to fast during the 9th day which is the day of Arafah, the holiest day in Islam.
The day of Arafah is the day whereby, pilgrims from all over the globe, performing hajj are expected to make a journey to the mountain of Arafah or at least within a stipulated radii of the mountain ,without which the hajj will be declared void.
The Imam urged the Muslims to be mindful of the kind of animal they are going to sacrifice, saying that the health of the animal is of top priority and it is a basis of validity of the sacrifice.
In his own statement, he said “a purging and frail health animal is not valid for sacrificing and also an animal with squinted eyes is also not permitted, so a person intending to sacrifice animal should ascertain health status of the animal they’re buying” .
The Cleric encouraged parents to try their best to put smile on the faces of their family ,especially their children ,in order to create an ambience of celebration and happiness.
Saying that “Anyone who has the financial capability, should buy new clothes for their wives, children and other family members, and also try their best to make them happy on the day of eid, in order to create a great atmosphere of celebration and happiness”.
He also noted that, the prophet (saw) encourage anyone who is going to sacrifice an animal during Eid, to make sure that refrains from eating or drinking until he/she returns home from the Eid prayer.
Ateere however added that, a person that is not sacrificing animal is also allowed to benefit from the blessings of the tradition of fasting to the Eid prayer ground.
He stress that, a Muslim is not allowed to take a loan in order to purchase an animal for sacrifice, it is only mandated on people that can afford it, more so, Allah does not put a burden on a person, more than what the person can bear.