Qurbani

The act of sacrificing the animal in Allah’s name is in submission to His will and if ever required, we shall readily sacrifice even our own life in the way of Allah.


Sacrifice, as practised by Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) is an essential religious rite in memory of the sacrifice performed by Prophet Abraham. God put Abraham to a most difficult trial, the details of which are described in the Quran. “O my Lord! Grant me (Abraham) a righteous (son)!” So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear. “Then, when the son reached the age to work with him, he said: “O my son I see in a vision that I offer you in sacrifice: Now say what is your view!” (The son) said: “O My father! Do as you are commanded: You will find me if God so wills, one practising patience and constancy!” So when they had both submitted their wills (to God), and he had made him prostrate on his face (for sacrifice), We called out to him: “O Abraham! You have already fulfilled the vision!” Thus indeed do we reward those who do right. “For this was obviously a trial and We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: and We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: (37:100-109).


This is the origin of the Islamic precept of sacrifice in fulfillment of God’s command.The aim of sacrifice, like all other fundamentals of Islam, is to imbibe piety and self righteousness. It also promotes the spirit of sacrifice for a right cause. To explain its purpose, God says in the Quran. “It is not their meat, nor their blood, that reaches God, It is their piety that reaches God”: (22:37).


Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said: “On the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah, there is no better act in the view of Allah than shedding the blood (of slaughtered animals). And verily sacrifice earns the approbation of Allah even before the drop of blood (of the slaughtered animal) falls on the ground. Hence you should offer it in good spirit. For every hair of the sacrificial animal, there is a blessing.”



Fiqh of Qurbani

Precepts and practices pertaining to Qurbani, according to the Hanafi school of thought.


On Whom is Sacrifice Mandatory

Sacrifice is compulsory on all Muslims (male and female) who own wealth to the value of the Zakat Nisaab on these days of sacrifice (10th, 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah). The Nisaab value is of gold or 612, grams of silver. Whoever possesses this amount of wealth during this period should make the sacrifice.


What to Sacrifice

All the permissible (halal) domesticated or reared quadrupeds can be offered for Qurbani. Generally, slaughter of goats, sheep, rams, cows, and camels is offered.


Sharing

It is permissible for seven persons to share the sacrifice of a cow or a camel on the condition that no one’s share is less than one seventh and their intention is to offer Qurbani.


Age of Sacrificial Animals

Sacrifice of goat or sheep less than one year old is not in order. Cow should be at least two years old. Camels should not be less than five years old.


Disqualifying Defects

Sacrifice of an animal will not be in order if it is one eyed, or blind, or has lost an estimated one third or more of its eyesight, or estimated one third or more of its tail, or its ear has been cut off, or it is lame, or its bones have no marrow, or it has no ears by birth or its horns have been broken from their roots, or it has no teeth at all.


Distribution of Meat

One should eat the meat of the sacrifice, give it to relations and friends, (to non-Muslims also) and also to the poor in charity. One third should be given in charity, but if it be less it will not be a sin.


How to Use the Skin

It is not permissible to give a portion of the meat or the skin of the slaughtered animal as wages. They should instead be given to the needy in charity. Even the rope and cover of the sacrificed animal should be given away as charity.


Intention

In the first instance, one who proposes to offer sacrifice must make an intention to that effect.


Method of Sacrifice

Animal should be laid on its left side facing Kabah and its throat cut open with a sharp knife, and its blood allowed to drain. In the case of a camel, it should be allowed to remain standing after its left fore leg has been stringed. A sharp spear should then be thrust in its breast and in both sides of its neck, and the blood allowed to drain.


The Supplication of Sacrifice

Lay down the animal parallel with the direction of the Qibla and utter the following prayer first:


“Behold I have turned my face earnestly towards Him Who originated the heavens and the earth and I am not of polytheists. Behold, my salat, my offering, my living and my dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partners hath He, concerning this I have been bidden and I am of the Muslims O Allah! (I offer this) to you and You gave it to me”.


After reciting this prayer, say

‘Bismillahi Allahu Akbar’. (In the name of Allah Who is Great) and cut the throat of the animal with a sharp-edged knife. Having performed the slaughter, read this prayer:


“Allah! Accept this sacrifice offered by me as Thou accepted the sacrifice offered by Thy friend Abraham and that offered by Thy loved one Muhammad. May Peace and blessings descend upon both.”


Although it is permissible to let someone else perform the slaughter of your sacrificial animal, yet it is better if you perform this act with your own hands. While you perform the slaughter, try to think and feel in the same way as you express through the words you utter at the time of sacrificing the animal i.e all that we have got belongs to Allah and it is all to be spent in His way only. The act of sacrificing the animal in His name is in submission to His will and if ever required we shall readily sacrifice even our own life in the way of Allah and shall be grateful to Him that He conferred upon us the honour of martyrdom by affording us an opportunity to shed our blood in His name.


The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (Pbuh) said: “There are no other days on which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these Ten Days” He was asked: “Not even Jihad in Allah’s way?” He replied: “Not even Jihad in Allah’s way; except for a person who went out (for Jihad) with his self and wealth and came back with none (i.e., lost all for Allah).” (Al-Bukhari).


Fasting on the Day of Arafah

Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger (Pbuh) said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of two years: the past one and coming one”.


On the Day of Eid-ul-Adha

*To rise early in the morning.

* To bathe.

* To wear one’s best garments.

* To pronounce takbir loudly while going towards the Eidgah.

Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar
Allah is greatest Allah is greatest
La-Ilaha ill-Allah
There is no God but Allah
wa-Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar
and Allah is greatest Allah is greatest
wa-lillah-il-hamd
and all praise is for Allah.


* To perform two rakahs Eid ul Adha, waajib prayer in the Eidgah.

* After prayers to listen to the sermon is sunnah.

* To return after prayers and do the sacrifice (Qurbani).

* To distribute the meat of the sacrifice among the poor, friends, relatives and neighbours and also to cook and eat the meat of sacrifice.



Takbeer-e-Tashreek

The Takbeer… Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar walillaahil hamd “Allah is most great. Allah is most great. There is no Deity besides Allah and Allah is most Great. Allah is most Great and Verily all praises are for Allah.”


It is waajib to recite this Takbeer audibly once after every Fard salaat from the morning of the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) till the Asr salaat of the thirteenth of Dhul Hijjah. One who performs salaat with the congregation and the one who performs it alone too, should recite the Takbeer. It is waajib on both men and women. Women should not say the Takbeer loudly, but softly. It is necessary for men to recite the Takbeer in a moderately loud voice. Many people are not mindful of this: either they read it softly or do not read it at all.