As-Salaamu Alaikum WaRahmatullahi-WaBarakaatuh.
Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak!
All praise is due to Allah (SWT), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Peace and blessings be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family, his companions, and all those who follow in his footsteps. As we gather to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, I extend warm greetings on behalf of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana. May this blessed occasion bring joy to your hearts, unity to our communities, and strength to our faith.
Eid-ul-Adha is a commemoration of unwavering devotion, deep sacrifice, and complete submission to the will of Allah (SWT), as exemplified by the life of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), his son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), and his wife Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her). Their story is one of sacrifice, of trusting the divine plan, and of showing what it truly means to live a life in obedience to the Creator.
The Quran tells us in Surah As-Saffat:
“We called out to him, ‘O Abraham! You have fulfilled the vision.’ Indeed, this is how We reward the doers of good.” (Qur’an 37:104-105)
This sacred day reminds us that true success lies not in material wealth, but in our commitment to our faith, our willingness to sacrifice for righteousness, and our compassion for others. As millions of our brothers and sisters perform the pilgrimage of Hajj, let this remind us of the unity of the Ummah—regardless of race, status, or nationality—we are one body worshipping One God.
The Muslim Ummah all over, especially in Palestine and South Sudan, continues to experience unimaginable trials and tribulations; we must remember them in all our prayers. We are in a period of immense testing. However, our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) trained us to turn to Allah (SWT) in solitude, in profuse prayer, prolonged prostration, and to confide in Allah (SWT). Our Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) lifted his arms into the sky as he made du’a (supplication) – an action reserved for the most desperate of prayers and requests. Afterwards, seek the counsel of sincere and trusted people. The Prophetic methodology is to combine unwavering Tawakkul reliance in Allah (SWT) while putting in the effort with one’s own hands.
Let us take comfort in the beautiful and powerful words of the Qur’an:
“Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel”
Allah (alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs. (Qur’an 3:173)
This verse reminds us that in times of hardship and uncertainty, we place our full trust in Allah’s wisdom and mercy. Adversities are an opportunity to connect deeply back to Allah (SWT), God Almighty. Let us use the trials as an impetus to drive us towards our Creator, the Infinitely Merciful. For Allah (SWT) reminded us in Surah Al-Baqarah, chapter 2, verse 286:
Allah does not burden a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned…
Eid al-Adha is the celebration of the reformation of the human condition from that of servitude to other men to that of devotion to the Creator of all living and non-living things. Do not fall into the trap of considering yourself better than others. Allah (SWT) reminds us,
“People, we created you all from a single man and a single woman and made you into races and tribes so that you should get to know one another. The most honored of you are the ones most mindful of Him: God is all knowing, all aware.” (Qur’an 49:13)
The sacrifice of Eid is not merely about the animal; it is about sacrificing pride, ego, and selfishness. The Quran reminds us:
“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him.” (Qur’an 22:37)
Let us make this Eid a time to strengthen our ties with family, reach out to our neighbors, and support the vulnerable in our communities. Let us be generous, kind, and forgiving. As citizens of Guyana, let us also work hand in hand for national unity, peace, and prosperity, respecting the rich diversity that makes us stronger together.
May this Eid renew in us the spirit of Prophet Ibrahim (AS)—the spirit of trust in Allah, the spirit of compassion, and the courage to stand for what is right. I pray that Allah (SWT) showers His mercy upon all of us, accepts our sacrifices, forgives our shortcomings, and grants peace and blessings to all of humanity. May Allah (SWT) bless you and your loved ones during these sacred days and always. Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel.
Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak!
Wa-Alaikumus-Salaam-Wa Rahmatullahi-Wabarakaatuh.
Shahabudeen Ahmad
President
CIOG
