Eid El Kabir 2023 Holiday in Nigeria: Know Its Significance

Eid El Kabir 2023 in Nigeria is celebrated on 28th June 2023 and 29th June 2023, check here to know more about Feast of Sacrifice or Eid El Kabir 2023.

Raid El Kabir 2023

Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Eid-el-Kabir, is a significant holiday celebrated in Islam. In 2023, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Wednesday, as the government of Saudi Arabia has declared Tuesday as Arafat Day. The festival has great importance and is celebrated to commemorate a key event in Islamic history. It pays tribute to the faith and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to Allah. The story behind Eid-ul-Adha goes back to ancient times when Allah tested Ibrahim’s steadfast faith.

According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim received a divine command in a dream to sacrifice his beloved son as an act of submission to Allah. Initially upset by this request, Ibrahim recognized it as a test of his loyalty and surrendered to the will of Allah. He shared this revelation with his son Ismail (Ishmael), who willingly agreed to fulfill Allah’s command.

On the day of the intended sacrifice, as Ibrahim was about to perform the act, Allah intervened and replaced Ismail with a ram. This divine intervention showed that Ibrahim had successfully passed the test of faith, and Allah accepted his willingness to sacrifice his son. The ram became a symbol of sacrifice to commemorate Ibrahim’s loyalty and submission to Allah.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Zul Hijjat, which is the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This day marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca to perform various sacred rituals. One of the most significant rites is standing on Mount Arefat, which takes place on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjat. The following day, known as Eid-ul-Adha, is a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the blessings bestowed upon Muslims.

During Eid al-Adha, Muslims who are financially able are encouraged to perform the act of sacrifice by slaughtering an animal such as a ram, sheep, goat, cow or camel. This act symbolizes their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the sake of Allah and the community. The meat of the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one part is kept for personal consumption, one part is distributed to family and friends, and the remaining part is distributed among the less fortunate in the community.

Eid-ul-Adha has deep spiritual and social significance. It reinforces the values ​​of faith, obedience, sacrifice and generosity. Muslims seek to strengthen their spiritual connection with Allah and foster unity within their communities through this ritual.

However, it is important to note that worshiping animals during Eid al-Adha is not obligatory for those who cannot afford it. Islam emphasizes the principles of piety, sincerity and doing good deeds, which can be practiced in various forms beyond the act of sacrifice. Muslims are encouraged to prioritize their financial responsibilities and ensure the well-being of their families and communities before engaging in acts of sacrifice.

The coming festival of Eid-el-Kabir 2023 has caused apprehension among residents of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria due to the daily increase in the prices of food and especially rams. People face challenges in finding affordable animals for sacrifice, given scarce resources and skyrocketing prices. Muslim preacher Imam AbdulRasaq Mahmud Karebu warned against taking loans or buying animals on credit for the purpose of sacrifice, stressing that piety and sincerity of intention are what Allah truly commands of all individuals.

Eid El Kabir holiday 2023 in Nigeria

An official statement by Oluwatoyin Akinlade, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, announced that the Federal Government has declared Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29, 2023 as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-El -Kabir.

In the statement, warm greetings are sent to the Muslim community in the country and abroad. Akinlade encourages Muslims and all Nigerians to make sacrifices for the progress and prosperity of their communities and Nigeria as a whole. The permanent secretary expresses optimism that the prayers and sacrifices offered during this holiday season will contribute to the desired peace and unity in the nation. The statement concludes by expressing the hope that the message and spirit of Eid-El-Kabir will promote progress, unity and harmony in Nigeria.

Why is Eid El Kabir celebrated?

Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Eid-el-Kabir, is celebrated to commemorate a significant event in Islamic history and to honor Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)’s faith and devotion to Allah. The story behind Eid-ul-Adha goes back to ancient times when Allah tested the steadfast faith of Prophet Ibrahim.

According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim received a divine command in a dream to sacrifice his beloved son as an act of obedience. Initially upset by this request, Ibrahim recognized it as a test of his loyalty and surrendered to the will of Allah. He shared this revelation with his son Ismail (Ishmael), who willingly agreed to fulfill Allah’s command.

On the day of the intended sacrifice, as Ibrahim was about to perform the act, Allah intervened and replaced Ismail with a ram. This divine intervention showed that Ibrahim had successfully passed the test of faith, and Allah accepted his willingness to sacrifice his son. The ram became a symbol of sacrifice to commemorate Ibrahim’s loyalty and submission to Allah.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Zul Hijjat, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This date marks the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca to perform various rites. One of the most important rites is standing on Mount Arefat, which takes place on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjat. The following day, known as Eid-ul-Adha, is a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the blessings bestowed upon Muslims.

During Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims who have the means to do so are encouraged to perform the act of sacrifice by slaughtering an animal such as a ram, sheep, goat, cow or camel. This act symbolizes their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the sake of Allah and the community. The meat of the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one part is kept for personal consumption, one part is distributed to family and friends, and the remaining part is distributed among the less fortunate in the community.

The celebration of Eid-ul-Adha emphasizes the values ​​of faith, submission, sacrifice and generosity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of complete obedience to Allah’s commands and the importance of helping those in need. With this ritual, Muslims strive to strengthen their spiritual connection with Allah and foster unity within their communities.

Holidays and public holidays in Nigeria 2023

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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education