By Charles Ampong
The Deputy Asante Nkramohene (Sariki Tuba), Alhaji Amadu Owusu, popularly known as Alhaji Caterpillar, has entreated all Muslims to learn from Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) that trials and tribulations are not entirely negative as they have some positive aspects as well.
According to him, trials serve as a wake-up call that invites true believers to be circumspect in order to draw their attention to the need to audit their lives and the society in which they live.
Alhaji Amadu Owusu aka Alhaji caterpillar
Alhaji Owusu, who doubles as Kaase Asante Nkramohene in the Asokwa Municipality of the Ashanti Region, gave the advice in an interview with “The New Trust” newspaper during the just-ended Eid-ul-Adha celebration.
The celebration is marked every year by Muslims to honour the obedience of Prophet Abraham to Allah by sacrificing his only son, Ismael, who was later exchanged for a sheep.
“This is a clear manifestation that instead of depressing us, temporary setbacks should rather spur us on to make yet another greater positive efforts at achieving better results in life rather than resorting to negative, unconventional and destructive approaches,” he stressed.
Alhaji Owusu further added that the essence of sacrifice is one’s righteousness. According to him, even if one could not afford to buy animals for sacrifice, Allah knows their intentions.
“If our intention is to make the animals sacrifice with a spirit of righteousness while striving to follow Allah’s commandments and drawing lessons from the act, then even without being able to perform the sacrifice, Allah will accept it,” he explained.
On the other hand, he said those who make grand public display of the sacrifice, buying animals worth hundreds of thousands and boasting about the cost are offering sacrifices devoid of righteousness.
He observed that some Muslims believe that simply offering sacrifices of animals fulfils the spirit of Eid.
In reality, according to him, the true purpose of Eid is fulfilled only when “we are prepared to sacrifice our ego and pride, reform ourselves, uphold our responsibilities and fulfil the rights of Allah and His creation.”
Alhaji Owusu prayed hard for the nation for all obstacles to be removed to build a prosperous and vibrant nation.
Besides, he urged the youth to work hard and desist from involving themselves in unproductive ventures.
