The Day of Sacrifice

Thursday Dec. 20th, 2007

Most Muslim countres of the world celebrated Adil Adha, the second greatest day in Islam yesterday, Wednesday, Dec. 19th, 2007 while my own country celebrate the great day today.

Why there is a descrepency between Islamic Nations in clebrating the great occasion? Muslims are required to pactice hisab (astrology) and rukyah (technology) in determining the sighting of the beginning of the Islamic months. The sighting of he new moon varies from one demographic location to another, due to the geographical features, weather and the high techonology apparatus being used by the authorities. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia declared that the new moon of Zulhijjah was sighted on Dec. 10th, while Malaysia which is about 5 hours East of KSA, declared that the sighting of the Zulhijjah was on Dec. 11th. Therefore the day pilgrims performed the most important ritual, i.e to be in Arafah, was on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Non-Pilrims were to celebrate he Aidil Adha on the 10th of Zulhijjah. The majorty of the Muslims, therefore celebrated Aidil Adha on Wednesday, while Muslims in Malaysia celebrate it today.

We are sure whether Muslims in Malaysia are celebrating the right Aidil Adha at the right time. Only Allah swt knows. Whatever it is, we started the celebration as of Maghrib prayer, where Muslims display their pledge of Loyalty to Allah by reciting Takbir after Maghrb and Isya' prayers at homes, suraus and mosques.

For record, for the first time my eldest daughter and her husband did not celebrate Aidil Adha with us because the nursery would be closed for the holidays on Friday Dec.21st. Her three children are with us in Muar. Hence my wife alone, she prepared the cookies and goodies till 0430hrs. My beloved Asshad came home at around 0400 hrs due to tarffic jam.

My Subuh prayer was performed outside the regulatory hours and then I performed the Adil Adha prayer at Al Nasirin at 0830 hrs. The congregation was led by Samsudin Hussin, assisted by Hj Ahmad Siraj.Immediately after the sermon, ketupat was served.

Upon reaching home at around 0930, I took my beloved Abang for a shot ride on the easy rider. Then I exchanged my bike with Kriss and I took Abang and Anan to cruise around he housing estate.

At around 1220 hrs mys second son, Shafik,and his two kids were home. they had ketupat and headed for his in-laws house at aound 1300. My kiddos and I siestaed at round 1330. I was awakened at around 1430 and quickly I performed my Zuhr prayer. Then I had ketupat for lunch.

Happy Aidil Adha.