As Muslim faithful prepare to celebrate Eid al-Adha on Friday, Imam Haroun Muhammad Eze of Abuja’s National Mosque has clarified that sacrificing a ram is not a compulsory part of the celebration.
He explained that the obligation to purchase a ram rests solely on those who are financially capable.
Eze offered this clarification during an enlightening discussion on the Nzuko Ndi Igbo Podcast, a popular platform hosted by Persecondnews Media, in a session held on Wednesday.
Eze advised those unable to afford a ram to consider alternatives such as a goat or chicken, or even purchasing meat from the market to cook and share with their children.
“Eid al-Adha, often called ‘Big Sallah,’ is a celebration centered around sacrificing animals to God, but it’s crucial to understand that this act is not mandatory for every individual.
“For those who cannot afford a ram, alternatives are available: a goat, a chicken, or even just buying beef from the market.
“If financial resources are completely absent, a simple meal, like rice with vegetables, prepared with what you have, is perfectly acceptable.
“The most important message is not to incur debt solely for the purpose of performing the sacrifice. God considers our intentions and blesses us based on those.”
Eze also offered a poignant prayer for those residing in conflict-ridden areas, sincerely hoping that God would envelop them in peace and ease their hardships.
He said: “My God, change their situation so that they may experience peace, for there is nothing quite like it.
“No one would rejoice if a house they have invested a fortune in is destroyed in an instant by a bomb, resulting in numerous casualties. They should learn to understand one another and live in peace.”
Acknowledging the economic hardships Nigerians are currently enduring, he fervently prayed for divine intervention in the country, seeking relief and prosperity for its people.
He said: “When you go to the market to buy things, you will notice that prices have gone up. I pray that God blesses the work of our hands, individually, so that we can afford our needs.”
Eze also urged Nigerians to foster love and strive for peace, especially during the Eid al-Adha celebrations, highlighting the importance of unity and harmony in these challenging times.
He pointed out that we are all children of Adam, regardless of our complexion, and that we all originate from the same Creator.
He said: “My advice to Nigerians is to live in peace with one another. Specifically, I advise Muslims to return to the commandment Allah gave us, which is to live in harmony with everyone, both Christians and Muslims alike.
“Nowhere does God instruct us not to interact with people of other religions or tribes. Islam is a universal religion that promotes brotherhood. You cannot show non-Muslims the goodness of your faith if you do not engage with them positively.
“If you continue to segregate, they will not see anything good in your religion. Treat others as you would like to be treated.”
Eze, who was joined by two other prominent Igbo Muslims, Umaru Uchenna Ani and Yahaya Onyedika Abugu, noted that this year’s celebration held special significance for Igbo Muslims, as the Imo State government had recently airlifted some of them to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Persecondnews had reported that numerous families were finding it challenging to afford rams for the forthcoming Eid al-Adha, resulting in a noticeable drop in sales.
A visit by a Persecondnews correspondent to Abuja’s Wuye Ram Market on Tuesday revealed that the price of rams had reached an all-time high, affecting both trade and the traditional celebrations.
Rams that sold for N250,000 last year are now going for N350,000.
The prized Sudan Rams have jumped from N400,000 to a staggering N600,000, while the medium-sized rams have risen from N350,000 to N450,000.
The traders attributed the sluggish sales to the high transportation costs resulting from the removal of the fuel subsidy, as well as the military coup in Niger and the subsequent ECOWAS sanctions, which had disrupted the flow of goods.
This led to either a complete stoppage of imports or significant price increases for items from Niger.
The buyers, however, attributed the sluggish sales to the government’s delay in paying salaries and the payment of only half salaries, urging the government to prioritise full salary payments to enable people to celebrate properly.
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