The office of
the Regional Governor thru the Bureau on Cultural Heritage facilitated the “Qurban
Preparation and Distribution, Handog ni OIC Governor MUJIV S. HATAMAN” in
relation to the observance of Eid’l Adha, Thirteen (13) Cows were sacrificed
for the purposed of Qurban.
CELEBRATING SACRIFICE AND CHARITY
IN FAITHFUL SERVICE
The celebration of Qurban Hait or Eid al-Adha is
one of the greatest and
most celebrated of holidays in Islam. It falls on the 10th day of Zul-Khij and
observed 70 days after another holiday – the Uraza-Bayram. It is Islam’s
Festival of Sacrifice.
The idea of sacrifice stems from the Scriptural story when Archangel Jabrail
conveyed Allah’s message to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his only son
Ismail. Beyond the pain of sacrificing his own flesh and blood, the Prophet
took no hesitation of contradicting the will of Allah he brought his son to the
Min Valley and started preparation for the sacrificial offering. Ismail, showed
no sign of hesitation and resistance to both Allah’s and his father’s will. At
the final moment, Allah found satisfaction in the prophet’s loyalty and
immediately had the Archangel send the Prophet a sheep that was immolated
instead. Allah completely showed His mercy.
God says in the Quran(37:104 - 111), thus:
"We called unto him: O Abraham! Thou hast already fulfilled the vision.
Lo! Thus do we reward the good? Lo! That verily was a clear test. Then we
ransomed him with a tremendous sacrifice. And we left for him among the later
folk (the salutation): Peace be unto Abraham! Thus do we reward the good. Lo!
He is one of our believing slaves."
As faithful tradition, every end of Hajj, the three-day Festival of Sacrifice
is celebrated by the Islamic world by doing prayers, visiting families and
friends, and exchanging of “Eid Mubaraki” greetings. And commemoration of
Ibrahim’s willingness to obey Allah, sacrificial ceremonies are held where a
goat, lamb or cow is slaughtered and sacrificed. The meat is then distributed
to poor and needy families. This is Islam’s act of generosity and charity.
The meat from the Qurban is distributed among 3 categories of people:
• 1/3 for the poor and needy.
• 1/3 for family members and friends.
• 1/3 for the person doing the Qurban - and this portion can be given to
non-Muslims.
Traditionally, the celebration of Eid-al-Adha or Qurban Hait is done in the
Holy City of Mecca at the end of the pilgrimage. It is a practice that all
believers climb Mount Arafat and, next day, perform Tayaf – seven rounds around
the Caaba, and sacrifice a sheep or cow. But it is Islamic custom that the
celebration is observed wherever he is.
For a devout Muslim, the day of the Qurban must commence with the Morning
Prayer, visit the mosque in clean clothes and, as the Prophet Muhammad did,
choose a new road in going there. Visit to the dead may also be done and the
occasion’s sacrificial offering is conducted in a ceremony.
Customarily, among Filipino Muslims, a cow is slaughtered and the oblation meat
is never sold. It is likewise widespread practice to greet one another “Eid
Mubarak” which means “Bless the Holiday.”
Eid prayers must be offered in congregation as done in the mosque. The first
Raka’ah has two rakats with seven Takbirs , and the second Raka’ah has five
Takbirs. At the end of the prayers, Muslims embrace and exchange greetings.
The universal celebration of Eid al-Adha or Qurban Hait embraces all of Islam
around the world and in the spirit of sacrifice and giving, exhibits the
peaceful nature of the Faith. It is a faithful practice of the words of the
Scriptures that lay the foundation of the ideals of life and the service to
Allah.
Qurban never begins and ends with the slaughtering of cows and goats as
sacrifices and more so, as just simple commemoration. The everyday slaughtering
done all over is far too different from that conducted on the day of the Eid –
it is done as a reminder of the faithfulness that every Muslim must espouse to
Allah and His commands and translate them wholeheartedly to relations and
peoples in pure and outright charity.
To many, the traditional meat distribution, in means dictated by the
Scriptures, is deemed functional in obedience to the commands of the Faith. But
nobody judges the heart of the one who gives from where charity springs except
Allah and His omnipotent knowledge of each person’s conscience. Every Muslim’s
action of charity must find root in a selfless soul.
Contemporary acts of charity and selfless giving are sometimes tainted by the
mundane environment that renders them suspect. Not uncommon is the fact that
people think giving expects something in return – that there is a price to the
act of goodness. When the Prophet Ibrahim laid his son down on the kaaba to
offer him to Allah, he cleared his heart of any motive of selfishness. He was
willing to return to Allah the most precious gift he has. But all that Ibrahim
possessed, he knew, came from his Creator and to whom nothing more will be
pleasing but to offer the same to Him.
Qurban is and must be celebrated in the same spirit of offering, charity and
sacrifice. In countless times, Allah may see man’s unconditional offerings in
various ways and different gifts.
Qurban is a Holy Occasion but more than just a celebration, it is a gift. It is
a grace of heart that Allah reminds every believer to give without counting the
cost of doing so. And in ways and moments when material wealth falls short of
tradition, none in the Faith halts the desire to give in what he has and how he
offers.
Service to man and community is an offering that Allah appreciates with a full
heart for as long as the spirit of Ibrahim lives within the giver. When a hand
is extended in service, a heart toils in sincerity, Allah knows that Qurban
Hait is celebrated consistently – not just once in a year, not just a moment of
remembering friends and relatives – and becomes a way to live just as Islam
genuinely is.
In the same spirit of sacrifice, serving people is genuine Qurban. It may take
time before people realize that Islamic sacrifice and giving is omnipresent in
thoughts and actions. In the same way, public service is a ”altar of sacrifice”
where man can lay down his total person in selfless giving and, in so doing,
returns to Allah the fruits of what have been given him. As such, only Allah
can judge man’s actions in charity and service.
It is likewise of prime importance to remember that man, when bestowed with
much, is constantly called to give back to Allah through others. Allah imposes
no measures in His own giving just as man must do the same. In giving, man
examines himself and his capacity for charity and, in the end, must effect the
change necessary as Allah resides in him.
The spirit of service and reform in individual lives and the systems to which
man belongs must be in constant recall of Prophet Ibrahim and his unconditional
fidelity to Allah’s call to give – whatever it may be and however the cost.
Islam calls believers to the Faith that is rich in tradition and challenges
them to re-live its ideals in new times and current calls.
Eid al-Adha is beyond a feast and a holy celebration. When a gift is offered,
let it be from a heart engulfed in a love unconditional and true. When service
is given, let it be from hands that imitate those of Allah that are clean and
willing.
JOHN AMIL MAGNO, MSPIOP, FRIEDr
Regional Chief of Staff
ORG-ARMM
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