Imam Shamshad Nasir Shah

Report by Muhammad Ahmad, Detroit Michigan

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Rochester Hills celebrated Eid-ul-Adha with a great zeal and traditional fervor on Sunday August 11, 2019 at their Community Center and Mosque located in Rochester Hills.

Members of the community from across the state drove to Masjid Mahmood in Rochester Hills to start the formal festivities with the special Eid prayer offered at 10:30 AM. Right after the prayers, Imam Shamshad Nasir, regional Imam of the community delivered the Eid Sermon highlighting the significance of the day.

“Eid-ul-Azha marks the completion of the pilgmage to Mecca by Muslims from around the world on the tenth day of the Islamic month Zul Haj” said Imam Shamshad.

He further continued, “Eid-ul-Azha is an occasion on which Muslims everywhere are encouraged to make every kind of sacrifice for the spiritual, moral, social, and economic uplift of mankind and especially their own.”

The act of sacrifice is symbolic reminder that the person who offers it considers the animal inferior to him so he, also, is inferior to God and should, therefore, be ready to sacrifice himself and all his personal interests and inclinations for the sake of God when he is required to do so. The attainment of righteousness should be the goal of every Muslim.

Similarly, when Hazrat Ibrahim (as) left his wife Hazrat Hajra (ra) in a desert without any support or food or water, as soon as Hazrat Hajra knew that this was from Almighty Allah, she submitted to the will of God in such difficult situation. Allah did provide for both Hazrat Hajra and Hazrat Ishmaeel (as), such are ways of the true believers.

Imam Shamshad Nasir said “This Eid has very deeper meaning in it that we must trust Allah in all times just the way Prophet Abraham (as) and his son Ishmael (as)trusted Allah and took no time to offer himself for sacrifice based on his father’s dream”

We need to pay attention to our obligations to Almighty Allah by praying regularly five times a day and coming to mosque to say these prayers in congregation. We need to bring ourselves closer to Allah by sacrificing our time, wealth and energy in His ways” Said Imam.

At the conclusion of the Eid Sermon, Imam led the silent prayers.

Members were all dressed in nice traditional clothes. Kids were really in happy mood in new clothes and shoes.

Members greeted Eid Mubarak and embraced each other.

Then proceeded to the dining area where everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the ziafat team.