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Clerics Emphasise Sacrifice, Security, and Submission to Allah in Eid al-Adha Sermons

Muslim clerics have used the occasion of Eid al-Adha to call on the faithful to draw deeper lessons from the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), touching on themes of faith, sacrifice, national security, and submission to the will of Allah.

At the Eid prayer ground at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Ibrahim Olatunde Uthman, the Chief Imam of the university, mentioned that one of the lessons of Eid al-Adha is to remember the example of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), whom Allah has mentioned in Surah al-Mumtahanah regarding him and his followers.

Prof. Uthman emphasised in his reference to Surah al-Nahl that Prophet Ibrahim alone was a community of Islam, one who changed the course of history alongside his household and delivered the message of Allah to mankind.

He recounted how Prophet Ibrahim first moved from his homeland to various places and finally settled in Arabia.

He mentioned that the fundamental challenge facing the community today is how to restore security in the land.

Backing his point with evidence from the life of Prophet Ibrahim, Prof. Uthman stated that without security and safety, there can be no worship.

He noted that Prophet Ibrahim settled his family in a land in Arabia where there were no human beings and asked Allah for protection for them.

Prof. Uthman urged all levels of government, federal, state, and local, to do their best to combat insecurity, warning that Allah would call to account every perpetrator of unjust bloodshed.

Prof. Uthman also urged Muslims to have faith in whatever situation they find themselves, including in political life, reminding leaders that it is only Allah who can place them in their positions, and that the lives of the people must matter more to them than their personal desires.

In Iwo, Osun State, Sheikh Muhammad Thanni Adedeji, the Grand Chief Imam of Iwoland, delivered a similar call to sacrifice and sincerity at the Eid al-Adha Khutbah held at Eid Oba, Oluwo Palace, immediately after the Eid prayer.

The Chief Imam described Surah al-Kawthar, despite being the shortest chapter in the Holy Qur'an, as one filled with abundant goodness from Almighty Allah to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He stressed its importance, especially the second verse, which orders believers to pray and sacrifice to their Lord alone, and explained that acts of worship must be performed with sincere intentions and total submission to the will of Allah.

He also called on all to look back at the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son, Prophet Ismail (AS), which he described as one of the greatest acts of submission and trust in Allah known to mankind.

He recounted how both father and son willingly obeyed Allah's command without hesitation, despite how difficult it was, and urged all Muslims to strive to be more like both prophets by remaining steadfast in faith and always being willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of Almighty Allah.

Sheikh Adedeji prayed for the acceptance of sacrifices, peace in the land, forgiveness of sins for the living and the dead, and guidance for the Muslim Ummah and the country at large.