His
Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on Sunday called
upon Muslims to become steadfast in improving themselves and their situation.
Delivering his titah (speech) to mark this
year's Aidil Adha (Eid) celebration, the monarch said one's fate will not
change if one does not want to change it and added that this is sunnatullah
(the way of Allah SWT). Therefore "do not procrastinate".
"Matters that are good must be expedited,
and this is the meaning of change. Though it may be hard and challenging, it
must be done," His Majesty said.
Aidil Adha is a symbol of sacrifice and
extraordinary courage. This special day of the Muslim calendar is also seen as
a driving force for Muslims to be steadfast (istiqamah).
His Majesty also asked why many neglect the
lessons that can be learned from Aidil Adha; the most important is sacrificing
one's all for Allah (SWT).
The monarch said: "We have long
celebrated Aidil Adha, but still many of us do not follow its teachings."
His Majesty spoke of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be
upon him) who was willing to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (Peace be upon
him) upon the command of Allah (SWT).
"Was this not a very difficult thing to
do? But in order to fulfil the command of Allah (SWT), Prophet Ibrahim (Peace
be upon him) performed it without any delay," His Majesty added.
His Majesty said: "There are many
challenges and work that we have to face, let us accept these challenges. We
must be ahead of time, let us work to move forward."
The monarch said the greatest challenge that
we face is fulfilling our obligations to Allah (SWT).
"(Our obligations) to Allah (SWT)) are
many and they are not hard to do. Daily prayers and fasting in Ramadhan can be
done easily, but many still fail to perform their religious duties," he
added.
His Majesty said that many were often
confused, giving priority to worldly (duniawi) challenges while challenges
related to the Hereafter (ukhrawi) were taken lightly.
The monarch, in his titah, gave the example of
an economic challenge. He said when inflation is high, we will be busy working
towards finding formulae or strategic plans to overcome it. But when the
challenge is in the form of ukhrawi, when we feel that we have sinned by
disregarding Allah (SWT) orders, we are not as serious in overcoming them.
"This is a reverse (of what it should
be). Matters pertaining to (ukhrawi) must be put first. Ukhrawi refers to the
Hereafter, and it is everything," said His Majesty.
Aidil Adha is one of the greatest days in
Islam. "Aidil Adha and Aidil Fitri are mutlak (absolute) from Allah (SWT),
therefore it is appropriate for them to be observed and celebrated as a sign of
our gratitude," said His Majesty.
His Majesty said the celebration was not
merely to celebrate but, more importantly, it is a religious obligation
(ibadat).
Sighting the new moon to determine the month
of Ramadhan and Syawal as well as sighting the new moon of Zulhijjah to
determine the Day of Wuquf (present on the plains of Arafah which marks the
peak of Haj) and Aidil Adha celebrations are a form of ibadat, His Majesty added.
His Majesty added reciting takbir, performing
prayers during Hari Raya and slaughtering animals on Aidil Adha are all
considered ibadat.
This is what differentiates Islam as a samawi
religion (a religion derived from Allah (SWT), not man's creation). Its
teaching is based on ibadat and welfare, even in times of happiness and
pleasure, His Majesty said.
While Aidil Adha is a celebration, it does not
mean one should celebrate just for mere pleasure, but must also perform
religious obligations and charitable acts.
His Majesty added that it is sunat (mandatory)
for us to wear new clothes and go to the mosque.
Islam does not neglect man's instinctive needs
or faktor naluri, but at the same time, the religion does not allow us to be
controlled by our desires, the monarch added.
"That is why, we can be joyous but
without forgetting our goals. Our goal is to perform ibadat to Allah
(SWT)," His Majesty said.
At the end of his titah, His Majesty conveyed
Hari Raya Aidil Adha greetings from himself and on behalf of the royal family
to all Muslims wherever they are, including Haj pilgrims that are currently in
Mekah.
His Majesty hoped that Brunei's Haj pilgrims
will attain Haji Mabrur (Haj that is accepted by Allah SWT) and will return
safely to Brunei.
Rasidah Hab
The Brunei Times
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