RNA – Ayatollah Abdonnabi Namazi, the representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution (Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei), in the city of Kashan, delivered a sermon to believers attending Eid al-Adha prayers at the central Iranian city’s Baqiyatollah prayer ground.
Upon offering the believers his congratulations on the occasion of the blessed festival of Eid al-Adha or Feast of the Sacrifice, Ayatollah Namazi told the believers that the two festivals of Islam, Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast) and Eid al-Adha are symbols of the solidarity and unity of Islam. He explained that on this day Muslims throughout the world join together in congregational prayers at mosques and renew their pledge of allegiance to God Almighty. “There is no other religion which has such a social and religious festival like Islam has. Therefore, God has described these days as a manifestation of the greatness of Islam and of Muslims,” His Eminence stated.
Ayatollah Namazi described the slaughter and sacrifice of animals and the stoning of the pillars during Hajj (which represent Satan) which occur on Eid al-Adha as moments which strengthen ones spiritual and mental state. Ayatollah Namazi explained that the sacrifice has no benefit for God because God Almighty is not in need of any material thing, let alone sacrifices. He described the reason for the sacrifice as a divine test and a form of financial jihad for the believers, wherein they sacrifice their wealth on the path of God.
“The sacrifice is a obligatory part of the Hajj rituals and for those Muslims which do not take part in the Hajj, it is highly recommended. The presence of Hajj pilgrims in Mina is also a financial jihad and is also a spiritual jihad where God ordered the pilgrims to gather stones and stone pillars representing Satan,” Ayatollah Namazi explained.
“Stoning Satan is test for the Hajj pilgrims in all aspects of their life because Satan will always be an enemy to humankind. When the pilgrims return home, they must continue their struggle against Satan,” he added.
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