Introduction
to Bakra Eid. Almighty
Allah says in the Holy Quran, Chapter 22 Verse 34 : "And
to every nation we have appointed acts of devotion (sacrifice)
that they may mention the name of Allah on what He has given
them of the cattle quadrupeds; and your God is one God, therefore
to Him should you submit, and give good news to the humble whose
hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and those who are patient
under that which afflicts them".
The act
of sacrificing an animal is regarded as affecting the heart,
as it is connected with righteousness, with submission to Allah,
with humbleness of the heart, and patience under sufferings.
So when one slaughters with the proper accompanying Intention
and not for the sole purpose of eating the flesh on this occasion,
one is again complying with the laws in the Holy Quran and completes
yet another of the pillars of Islam. The animal sacrificed is
symbolic of the animal in man (man's nature). So, when he slaughters,
he is reminded of the necessity to eliminate that "animal
nature" which he has within him. It actually signifies
the sacrifice of the sacrificer himself, and becomes the outward
symbol of his readiness to lay down his life in the cause of
the Supreme Creator of the universe.
This sacrifice
by the Muslims throughout the world on this particular occasion,
is intended to let Muslim hearts beat in unison with the hundreds
of thousands who have gone on Pilgrimage to makka (which is
also a pillar of Islam and is compulsory on Muslims who can
afford going there). They re-enact, as it were, the beautiful
incident of old, where Almighty Allah had commanded Prophet
Abraham (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his then only son.
On finding him obedient and prepared to act on His command,
Allah submitted a ram for him to slaughter instead of his beloved
son.
Our Holy
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
confirmed this act, and always covered his head with respect
during sacrifice. He would lay the animal down and gently stroke
it, then, placing his foot on the body and uttering the words
"In the name of Allah, Allah is Great. O Allah! This is
a sacrifice from You and is for You" he would speedily
severe its throat, allowing the blood to flow readily with the
least possible pain to the animal.
The sacrifice
is done after the I'd prayer is over . The chosen animal must
be free from any apparent physical defect and must be fully
grown and healthy. In the case of a goat or sheep, one suffices,
but if it a camel or cow, seven may be partners thereto.
Because
many poor and beggars in the community cannot afford to sacrifice,
this occasion allows for charity, and when the sacrifice is
over the meat is divided as is necessary (one third minimum
be allotted for distribution to the poor), the meat is delivered
to the homes of the poor so that they too can enjoy and participate
on this day of festival.
As Islam
does not permit wastage, whatever is left over of the meat may
be dried, cured or prepared, so long as it is consumed and not
wasted. The skin also must be disposed of and the funds used
for charity.
Almighty
Allah says in the Holy Quran, Chapter 22 Verse 37: "Nor
their flesh, nor their blood, reaches Allah, but to Him is acceptable
observance of duty on your part".
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Qurbani : Some Important Masaails ::::
Why should
one make Qurbani ?
According
to Tirmizi Shareef and Sunan Ibn Majah, Sayyidah Ayesha (radi
Allahu anha) stated that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) said, "The son of Adam does not do any
action on the day of Qurbani which is more pleasing to Allah
than the sacrifice of animals; and he will come on the day of
Qiyamah with it's hairs, horns and hooves (for reward); and
the blood (of the sacrificed animal) certainly reaches Allah
before it falls down to the ground. So make yourselves purified
therewith."
In another
Hadith related in Sunan Ibn Majah, Zaid bin Arqam reported that
the companions of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) asked, "Oh! Messenger of Allah, what is this
sacrifice?" He said, "The way of your forefather (Prophet)
Ibrahim (alaihis salaam)." They said, "What is for
us therein, O! Messenger of Allah?" He said, "There
is one reward for every hair." They said, "For wool,
O! Messenger of Allah?" He said, "There is one reward
for every strand of wool!"
When
must Qurbani be made ?
1. Qurbani
or Sacrifice is carried out from the 10th of Zil- Hijjah (i.e.
from the day of Eid-ul-Adha) after the completion of the Eid
Salaah and Khutba, till sunset on the 12th of Zil- Hijjah. The
times of preference for Qurbani are the first day, i.e. the
10th of Zil-Hijjah from the completion of the Eid Salaah, followed
by the second day and lastly the third day.
2. If for some reason, animals purchased for Qurbani are not
slaughtered in the time and duration of the Qurbani period,
i.e. 10th, 11th & 12th of Zil-Hijjah, then such animals
must be donated alive to charity.
Who should
make Qurbani ?
1. It is
Waajib for every Muslim male and Muslim female who:-
(a) has attained puberty (Baaligh)
(b) is of sound mind (not insane)
(c) possesses Nisaab for that moment in time, not necessarily
for one Islamic calendar year (Nisaab is the value of excess
wealth which makes a Muslim liable for Zakaah i.e. The possession
of, or equivalent capital value of seven and half tolas gold
(+ -3 ounces) or fifty two tolas of silver (+ - 20 ounces)
(d) To make sacrifice in the Name of Allah
2. It is Waajib according to Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa (radi Allahu
anhu) and Sunnat-e-Mu'akidda according to other Imams for Muslims
to make Qurbani.
3. It is Waajib only for each Muslim male and female to make
Qurbani for himself or herself; and not Waajib for him or her
to make Qurbani for any other member of his or her family. It
is only his or her duty to guide or instruct them to make Qurbani
if they meet with the conditions of item in 1. above.
4. In the same manner as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, Qurbani is a Waajib
obligation for Muslims every year on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
It is not a once in a life-time duty.
5. It is permissible to make Qurbani in the name of Rasoolullah
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and his Ummah or any other deceased
Muslim as a Nafil Qurbani on condition that the person making
the Nafil Qurbani has discharged his obligation in his own Waajib
Qurbani first.
6. It is not Waajib or necessary for the following people to
make Qurbani:-
(a) one who has not attained puberty (not Baaligh) even if he
or she possesses Nisaab.
(b) A traveller (who is not yet Muqeem).
(c) One who does not possess Nisaab during that specific period
in time.
(d) On who may be in possession of Nisaab bit has turned insane.
7. Any Muslim male or female who is not liable for Qurbani but
purchases an animal for Qurbani for the sake of Almighty Allah,
then the Qurbani becomes Waajib for him.
8. Qurbani cannot be undertaken on behalf of another person
upon who Qurbani is Waajib, without his or her prior consent.
What
animals must be used for Qurbani?
1. Only
the following animals may be sacrificed for Qurbani:-
(a) Goat and Sheep with a minimum of 1 year each.
(b) Cattle with a minimum of 2 years.
(c) Camels with a minimum of 5 years.
2. Each goat or sheep suffices for Qurbani for one Muslim male
or female; whereas each head of cattle or camel could represent
the Qurbani for seven Muslim males and females, provided that:-
(a) All seven participants have uniformity in Niyyah (i.e. either
Qurbani or Aqeeqah).
(b) All seven have an equal share, nobody is to have a larger
portion than another even at the time of the distribution of
the meat.
3. It is permissible for less than seven people to have shares
in a camel or a head of cattle for Qurbani; but not permissible
for more than 7 people to do so.
What
type of defective animals are to be avoided?
The animals
for Qurbani in the Name of Almighty Allah shall be in prime
condition of health and free from defects. The following defects
in animals disqualifies them from being used for Qurbani:-
1. Animals without ears or more than one third of the ear is
defective, partially blind (one third or more), or totally blind
animals; animals with horns broken from the root; animals that
have most or all their teeth missing; animals which have limbs
broken or used three legs to walk; animals with a third or more
or their tail cut off.
2. Sick and emaciated animals that lack the ability to move
or walk.
Who should
make Zabah or Salughter and what is to be Recited?
1. Owners
of Qurbani animals, whether male or female, who have the knowledge
of making Zabah should slaughter their own animals.
2. If other
persons are appointed to slaughter on their behalf, then it
is better for the owners of the Qurbani animals to be present
at the place and time of slaughter.
3. Before
slaughtering, the prescribed Dua should be recited: "Inni
wajjahtu wajhiya lillazi fataras samawaati wal arda hanifaw
wa maaa ana minal mushrikeen. Inna salaati wanusuki wa mahyaya
wamamati lillahi rabbil a'lameen. La sharika lahu wabizaalika
umirtu wa ana minal muslimeen. Allahumma minka walak."
4. The person
should then slaughter the animal reading: "Bismillahi Allahu
Akbar."
5. This
Dua must also be read: "Allahumma takabalhu minni kama
takabalta min habeebika Muhammadiw wa Khaleelika Ibraheema alayhimas
salaatu was salaamu."
Some
Important Requirements about Zabah.
1. The knife
for Zabah has to be sharpened to the optimum, and the slaughter
should be carried out quickly and effectively to minimise the
suffering sustained by the animal.
2. The throat of the Qurbani animal should be cut in a manner
to ensure that the gullet, the wind pipe and the two external
jugular veins are severed.It is Makrooh to severe the entire
neck including the vertebrae. At least 3 of the four vessels
mentioned above ought to be severed to meet Shari'ah requirements
of proper Zabah.
3. Every effort should be made to ensure that animals are not
slaughtered in the presence of other live animals.
4. In the process of slaughtering, the knife should be concealed
till the moment of slaughter and the animal should be placed
such that it allows the person slaughtering the animal to face
Qibla, as this is Mustahab.
5. The skinning of the slaughtered animal and dismembering of
body parts should not commence until the animal's carcase has
turned cold.
6. If after slaughtering an animal it is discovered that the
animal was pregnant and a live foetus appears in the belly,
then it is necessary to slaughter that foetus.
Distribution
of Qurbani Meat to Non Muslims.
Distribution
of Qurbani meat or any other charity (sadqa) to "Harbi
Kafir" is not permissable at all. It is mentioned in Durr-e-Mukhtar:
"Even though a Harbi Kafir is peace-wanting, charity is
unanimously not permissable." In Behr-ur-Raiq: "According
to Shar'ah, giving something to a Harbi Kafir is not permissable,
for no Sawaab can be gained through this."
Important
Advice for Muslims.
Many people
make Qurbani on behalf of their parents, grandparents, Prophets
and Saints, and not on their behalf. By doing so, they are neglecting
their Waajib and thus become sinners through this action. Every
Muslim must first make Qurbani on their behalf first so that
their Waajib is fulfilled. Only after the Waajib is completed
and if one is able to do so, can Qurbani be made on behalf of
others.
It is preferable
to make Qurbani on behalf of Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) as it is virtuous and beneficial and has his
blessings. Our Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
made Qurbani on behalf of all the poor people of his Ummah.
This shows the love that he possessed for his Ummah. Therefore,
every Muslim who is capable of making Qurbani on behalf of others
should make Qurbani on behalf of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
Islamic
Method of Slaughtering.
Those who
are ignorant about the proper Islamic method that is carried
out in the slaughtering of animals do not hesitate in criticising
Muslims and in regarding this Islamic method of slaughter as
primitive, barbaric and a cruelty to animals.
The aim
of presenting this article is to inform the public that the
Islamic method of slaughtering an animal is most humane, painless
and better than the current methods of mechanical and electrical
stunning of animals that are normally done in abattoirs.
In order
for large meat industries and commercial establishments to provide
a much higher production, they all favour the method of mechanical
and electrical stunning. They regard all other methods of slaughter
as cruel and even manage to get the support of Animal Rights
groups to oppose the Islamic method of slaughter.
In the Islamic
method of slaughtering an animal, the animal is slaughtered
by a sharp object which is capable of making it bleed by severing
blood vessels. The slaughtering is to be done by cutting the
throat of the animal or by piercing the hollow of the throat,
causing its death. The best way is to cut the windpipe, the
gullet, and the two jugular veins.
The wisdom
of the Islamic rules of slaughtering is to take the animal's
life in the quickest and least painful way; the requirements
of using a sharp instrument and of cutting the throat relate
to this end. No additional stunner is necessary. This method
also allows for the most rapid and efficient bleeding of the
animal. When the sharp knife enters the tissues of the neck,
its cuts open four big blood vessels in the region. So much
blood is lost so quickly that the animal becomes unconscious
and feels no pain.
When the
animal convulses, one gets the impression that it is undergoing
pain and suffering. However, this is not the case. In the Islamic
manner of slaughtering, the spinal cord is not severed since
the nervous connection between the brain and the body is maintained
so that all the blood is squeezed out of the body. When convulsion
takes place, the wringing actions of the muscles of the body
on the blood vessels help to get rid of the maximum amount of
blood from the meat tissue. In fact, the occurrence of convulsions
confirm that the animal is unconscious. Thus, the animal also
does not experience any pain.
In view
of the above considerations, attempts to discredit the Islamic
method of slaughter are ill-conceived. Based on scientific evidence,
it should not be too difficult for individuals and groups to
give up their attempts to interfere with religious beliefs and
religious laws in general. The Islamic method of slaughter has
stood the test of time and of scientific enquiry and remains
by far the best, the most efficient and the safest.
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