SACRIFICES

Hari Raya Haji was never a big deal for me unlike my Kelantanese friends who insist on returning to their state to celebrate despite the fact that the public holiday is only for one day.
The past 27 years, I could count only a handful of times that I had a day off on Hari Raya Haji.
You see, most often than not, we singles and without a family of our own, had to make way for our married and with family colleagues to take the day off to celebrate with their families. And this went on for years.
There were times where I took for granted that I would be given the day off. I found out later that being a Muslim, I don’t get an automatic day off on that day. In fact, it was suggested that I take leave if I want the day off on that day.
And I also remembered being overseas during Hari Raya Haji. I had spent Hari Raya Haji at an aviation conference in Bangkok in 2000.
Two years ago, I was in Trinidad & Tobago for the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting. No beef or chicken rendang, ketupat and sambal kacang, lodeh or lemang for breakfast!
And there was one particular year that I spent Hari Raya Haji onboard Malaysia Airlines, flying home from London after an assignment.
So, if you want to talk about sacrifices, this is one of it, for me at least!
My mother, having gone for the pilgrimage with my late father in 1979, celebrates it like we celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The dining table will be laden with food.
I can’t recall the first time I did the Korban. I remembered however that I did it at the masjid next to my maternal uncle’s house in Gombak.
It could be sometime in 2007-2008 because Mysara was already born then when we undertook the Korban. We slaughtered one cow, putting individual names to the seven parts, doing it also on behalf of my late paternal grandfather, late father and late brother. In fact, we had done the pilgrimage on before of my grandfather and brother.
The meat of the animal was divided into three portions, of which one third was distributed among the poor, another part among relatives and friends, while the family consumed the third.
Even after distributing the portions we got to our neighbours, we still had too much meat stored in the refrigerator. It lasted us close to a month.
I did the first Korban after undertaking my own aqiqah of a sheep in Johor Bahru.
It was a little scary for me during the first one. It was recommended for you to recite the niat and witnessed yourself the slaughtering of the cow designated to you. It was not a pretty sight too!
From then on, I had done a few others, either on my own in Kuala Lumpur or with the family in Johor Bahru (we slaughtered another cow, sharing the cost among my sister’s children and their families). I had a family member represent me at the Korban.
My mother said I do not need to do it every year, as it is not an obligation but a necessity for all who can afford it.
I didn’t do this last year. Nor am I doing it this year.
But I believe sacrifices should not be limited to this day only. It should be made a part of our lives. It can come in a tangible or intangible form, be it in the form of material, financial, time and/or energy.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha
Semoga Ibadah kita diterima Allah SWT
Insya’Allah