The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, has urged Nigerians to use the Eid-ul-Adha celebration as a period of sober reflection, renewed obedience to Allah and sincere service to humanity, warning that the spiritual essence of the festival must not be reduced to ritual symbolism.
In a Sallah goodwill message, Azeez congratulated Muslims and non-Muslims across Nigeria for witnessing another Eid celebration, describing Eid-ul-Adha as a major Islamic festival closely tied to Hajj and the tradition of animal sacrifice.
He, however, stressed that the central message of the festival goes beyond the physical act of sacrifice, arguing that its deeper meaning lies in devotion, sincerity and unconditional obedience to Allah.
“The Eid has a lot to do with obedience and service to Allah than the symbolic sacrifice of prescribed animals,” he stated.
Drawing lessons from the life of Prophet Ibrahim, the Ahmadiyya leader said the enduring lesson of Eid-ul-Adha is rooted in submission to divine command, even when it conflicts with personal desire or emotion.
He said Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to obey Allah remains a timeless example for Muslims globally, stressing that true worship must be anchored on sincerity rather than public display or social validation.
Azeez challenged Muslims to critically examine their intentions in acts of worship, including sacrifice and pilgrimage, warning against religious practices driven by status or social recognition.
“Are we offering the sacrifice to show off the size of the animal we bought or to demonstrate our obedience to Allah and to seek His nearness and pleasure?” he asked.
He further questioned the motives behind Hajj pilgrimage, noting that some participants may be more concerned about social titles than spiritual transformation.
According to him, while outward actions may appear similar, Allah ultimately judges intentions, which remain central to Islamic worship.
The cleric noted that the Holy Qur’an emphasises sincerity, adding that acts done purely for Allah’s pleasure attract divine guidance and spiritual peace, while those motivated by pride or worldly gain are stripped of blessing.
Speaking on Nigeria’s socio-political situation, Azeez expressed concern over the involvement of some Muslims in criminal activities, including corruption, banditry and insurgency, questioning how such conduct aligns with Islamic teachings.
He urged believers to reflect on the moral example of Prophet Muhammad and recommit to righteousness, discipline and ethical conduct in public and private life.
The Amir called on Nigerians to reorder their priorities by placing obedience to Allah above worldly ambition and social approval, stressing that sincerity must guide both religious practice and civic responsibility.
He prayed for divine guidance for the faithful and urged Muslims to sustain the values of humility, devotion and moral integrity beyond the Eid celebration period.
