A cleric, Sheikh Jamiu Bello, has advised Muslims to shun extravagant acts during the celebration of the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival.
Bello, who is the Grand Imam of Ado-Ekiti and President-General, League of Imams and Alfas in South-West, Edo and Delta, gave the advice in his Juma’at sermon on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had declared July 20 and July 21 as public holidays to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
Bello said that the present economic reality in the country, coupled with the security challenges required serious prayers for workable solutions.
According to him, Sallah period is a veritable platform for devoted Muslims to reflect on the nation’s challenges and offer prayers for divine intervention.
Bello said that Muslims should celebrate the Sallah festival by engaging in good deeds, such as giving alms, paying visit to the sick and the less-privileged rather than embarking on wasteful spending.
“In view of the enormous challenges confronting the nation, Muslims need to refrain from any act that is inimical to the nation’s growth, progress and development.
“As Muslims, we need to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir with utmost modesty, rather than extravagant lifestyle.
“We should also have at the back of our minds that the dreaded Delta variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed to be present in the country.
“Muslims are, therefore, advised to prioritise acts of kindness and good deeds in order to attract Allah’s blessings and favour,” he said.
The grand imam also urged Muslims to refrain from act of cruelty while slaughtering their Sallah rams, saying such act was disrespectful and against Allah’s commandments.
“Muslims should exercise utmost caution while killing their Sallah rams and make sure that they don’t subject the animals to unnecessary act of cruelty.
“The knife to be used should be well-sharpened so that the killing is done once and not several trials,” he said.
(NAN)
