Eid Sacrifice: Observing the Beauty and Misunderstandings Around It

Today, our Muslim people observe their Eid al-Adha, a festival that is celebrated worldwide, and of course it's usually accompanied by a public holiday. As a busy mom, I loved the sound of this holiday. I slept so early last night because there wasn't much to do this morning since my kids wouldn't be going to school due to the holiday , and then I woke up very late this morning, around 7:30am. It was a long night's rest devoid of sleep interruptions, and my body system even loved it, lol. So happy Eid celebration and happy holiday.

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I am not a Muslim, but from what I know, Eid celebration is a Festival of Sacrifice. It's that day that our Muslims perform special prayers , a day they observe the sacrifice of livestock; some buy a cow, some a ram, a goat, or even cattle. I have lived in Yoruba land for the past ten years, and this area is dominated by Muslim people, so I have a good number of friends who are Muslims.

From my experience so far during their celebration , some of them buy any kind of livestock and give some out to other families and their friends, which I see as compassion. They also spend time with their loved ones celebrating and making merry together, so amazing!..

My Muslims friends and my neighbors

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However , the economy hasn't been smiling on anyone lately, and so most of the Muslim people find it difficult to afford a ram or goat, etc., for their Eid sacrifice. The cost of this livestock nowadays has skyrocketed beyond my understanding. I can't believe that a good ram costs over one million naira , which is about $700+, and then a cow is around 1.8 million, which is about $1400. Even a small goat is above $100 , you see? It's a big gap in price compared to how it's been sold in the past five years. But then, "I got to understand this morning that the Eid sacrifice is not mandatory to perform if one cannot afford it, but for those who have the financial means, it is an obligation in Islam."

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If that is the case, why then are some Muslim people within my community going about house to house all through last week, seeking financial assistance so they can be able to buy this ram as a group, not even as individuals? My husband felt for them and even supported them with a cash gift upon request, and they were happy.

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My neighbors both on my left-hand side and vice versa were able to afford a fat cow and a huge ram and even invited me to come celebrate with them today. Some other Muslim people in our community couldn't afford any of these livestock but already planned on going to people who had enough to celebrate in their homes. One thing I love about Muslims is their unity. Most of them know how well to show kindness to their people, and that is commendable. While some people who can't afford this livestock stay calm, others go about begging for charity to buy it, while others sell their assets during the Eid celebration season. It's common here! In fact, if you need to buy affordable land in Lagos, just plan it during the Eid celebration.

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It will interest you to know that the house we built here in Lagos State, Nigeria, where we live, was sold to us during the Eid celebration 9 years ago. The seller needed money for the Eid celebration and desperately sold us his land. A place he was using to do block industry business, but because he needed money to celebrate the Sallah, he made away with the land at a cheap price...distress sale it was, and of course we grabbed it and fenced it. After the celebration, the man regretted the sale and started calling my husband, but it was too late. An agreement is an agreement, and it was signed , paid, and documented!

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Overall, it seems that some Muslim people around me are really misunderstanding this religious practice, and I hope they get a better clarification. If it's not compulsory , then there is no need to solicit charity donations or sell your assets for Eid sacrifice. I hope this changes over time.

All images are mine.