BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday joined his subjects in performing the Sunnat Hari Raya Aidiladha Prayers before leading a Qurban ceremony at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, performs the sacrificial rites. | PHOTO: INFOFOTO
Upon arrival at the mosque, His Majesty was greeted by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, as the Chairman of the Major Islamic Events Celebration Executive Committee, and the State Mufti, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Awg Haji Abdul Aziz bin Juned as well as other members of the committee.
His Majesty was joined by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
The Sunnat Hari Raya Aidiladha Prayers was led by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awg Salim bin Haji Besar.
The Sermons were delivered by Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Othman. The First Sermon touched on the true meaning of istiqamah, which is practising all aspects of the Islamic teachings continuously until one achieves blessings and acceptance from Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala.
The Second Sermon clarified on the Laws of Allah and the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) concept as the axis for carrying out daily activities. In the sermon, Yang Berhormat Pehin pointed out that both Hari Raya Aidiladha that we celebrate on every 10th of Zulhijjah and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrated every 1st of Syawal, are religious celebrations, not customary events. This is because each celebration is related to religious acts – Aidiladha with the religious sacrifices and the hajj, and Aidilfitri with religious fasting in Ramadhan. In both events, we Muslims have the opportunity to gain pious rewards for celebrating them provided that the religious practices are well preserved and not marred by any inappropriate manner.
Yang Berhormat Pehin also highlighted on the way of life based on Shari’ah that is part of the tradition inherited for generations that led to the laws which are currently enforced as an Islamic Compliance.
Yang Berhormat Pehin noted that people in the country have clearly and undoubtedly acknowledged the excellence of Islam. As stipulated in the constitution, the country establishes Islam as the official religion. In recognising the indicator of Islamic excellence in our blessed country, Brunei Darussalam, we have found the landmark. In other words, Brunei Darussalam is a sovereign, democratic and independent Malay, Islamic, Monarchy nation with a governance based on the teachings of Islam according to Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah as proclaimed by the king in the independence proclamation thirty years ago. The assurance of the acknowledgement of Islamic eminence was most significant when His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his titah in conjunction with the last Hari Raya Aidilfitri, stated that Brunei was fortunate to be able to continue enjoying peace and harmony with the people being always united, and living a blessed life with religious guidance. This exists since the country is blessed with the wise leadership of a monarch who practises and adheres to Islamic teachings continuously, consistently and faithfully.
Before leaving the main hall of the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, His Majesty and members of the royal family consented to receive junjung ziarah from the congregants.
Following the mass Sunnat Hari Raya Aidiladha prayer, His Majesty and members of the royal family consented to attend the Qurban ceremony. Fourteen goats and sixty six cows were slaughtered. Some of the sacrificial animals were slaughtered at a ceremony held at the compound of the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampung Kiarong.
The ceremony began with the reading of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the State Mufti, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Haji Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
At the ceremony, His Majesty consented to lead in performing the slaughtering of sacrificial animals.
The religious slaughter was later performed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
Meanwhile, the commendable sacrifice of the remaining animals presented by His Majesty and His Majesty’s family members was carried out at the Mulaut Slaughtering Centre.
The ceremony was highlighted with Tausyeh presentation by a group of students from the Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute.
His Majesty then consented to present portions of the sacrificial meat to twenty selected recipients from the Brunei-Muara District. Meanwhile, other selected recipients will receive the meat through distribution ceremonies held in the four districts.
To bless the ceremony, a Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti.
The Qurban or Religious Sacrifice is a commendable act in Islam that Muslims are encouraged to perform on the Days of Tasyrik on 11th, 12th and 13th of Zulhijjah, according to the Islamic calendar. Performing the Qurban is an act of subservience and drawing oneself closer to Allah Subahanahu Wataala and aims to foster the feeling of love among the rich and poor, as a sign of gratitude for all the blessings from Allah and protection from hellfire.