Islam and animal sacrifice

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http://islamicvoice.com/January2005/Bakrid/index.php

 

*The Concept of Animal Sacrifice in Islam*

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*Islam's attitude towards ritual slaughter is not that of blood atonement,

or seeking favour with Allah through another's death, but rather, the act of

thanking Allah for one's sustenance.

 

 

" `Eid Al-Adha " is at the doorstep, many rams, cows, camels, of course, are

tied to be slaughtered for feast. What is the concept of sacrifice in Islam?

 

Actually, there are many misconceptions filling the mind of many

non-Muslims, who fail to perceive the significance and wisdom behind acts of

worship in Islam. That is why addressing those misconceptions becomes

obligatory in order to erase distortions about Islam.

 

 

" Sacrifice is not a pillar of Islam. We must look at the occurrences in a

contextual manner, understanding not only the pre-Islamic institution of

sacrifice, the Qur'anic reforms concerning this practice, and the

continuance of sacrifice in the Muslim world, but also the context in which

the Qur'anic revelations occurred. For it seems that with many people, both

non-Muslims and Muslims alike, context is the key that they are missing.

 

 

What was the situation in pre-Islamic Arabia with regard to animal

sacrifice? Not only did the pagan Arabs sacrifice to a variety of gods with

hopes of attaining protection or some favour or material gain, but so, too,

did the Jews of that day seek to appease the One True God by blood sacrifice

and burnt offerings. Islam, however, broke away from this longstanding

tradition of appeasing an " angry God. " The notion of " vicarious atonement of

sin " (absolving one's sins through the blood of another) is nowhere to be

found in the Quran. Neither is the idea of gaining favour by offering the

life of another to Allah. In Islam, all that is demanded as a sacrifice is

one's personal willingness to submit one's ego and individual will to Allah.

 

 

One only has to look at how the Quran treats this subject, to see a marked

difference regarding sacrifice and whether or not Allah is appeased by

blood. The Qur'anic account of the sacrifice of Isma'il ultimately speaks

against blood atonement. Allah says: " Then when (the son) reached (the age

of) (serious) work with him, he said: " Oh my son! I see in vision that I

offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view! " (The son) said: " Oh my

father! Do As thou art commanded: Thou wilt find me, if Allah so wills one

practicing patience and constancy! " So when they had both submitted their

wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for

sacrifice), We called out to him, " Oh Abraham! Thou hast 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. "

(As-Saffat: 102-107).

 

 

Notice that the Qur'an never says that Allah told Abraham to kill

(sacrifice) his son. Here, it teaches us that Abraham had a dream in which

he saw himself slaughtering his son. Abraham believed the dream and thought

that the dream was from Allah. However, in Abraham and Isma'il's willingness

to make the ultimate sacrifice-Abraham of his son, Isma'il of his own

life-they are able to transcend notions of self and false attachment to the

material realm, thus removing a veil between themselves and Allah.

 

 

As far as the yearly tradition that has followed this event (that is, the

sacrificing of a ram to commemorate Abraham and Isma'il's great self

sacrifice), we must understand it and the Qur'anic versus that pertain to

animal sacrifice, in relation to the time and place circumstances under

which these revelations were received and how people were trying to make a

personal sacrifice by sharing their limited means of survival with the

poorer members of their community.

 

 

That is to say, the underlying implication of Islam's attitude towards

ritual slaughter is not that of blood atonement, or seeking favour with

Allah through another's death, but rather, the act of thanking Allah for

one's sustenance and the personal sacrifice of sharing one's possessions and

valuable food with one's fellow humans. The ritual itself is NOT the

sacrifice. It is merely a method of killing where the individuals kill as

quickly as possible and acknowledge that only Allah has the right to take a

life and that they do so as a humble member of Allah's creation in need of

sustenance just like every other species in Allah's creation.

 

 

Allah also says: " To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice) that

they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from

animals (fit for food). But your God is One God: Submit then your wills to

Him (In Islam): and give thou the good news to those who humble themselves. "

(Al-Hajj: 34)

 

 

" This is the true end of sacrifice, not propitiation of higher powers, for

Allah is One, and He does not delight in flesh and blood, but a symbol of

thanksgiving to Allah by sharing meat with fellow humans. The solemn

pronouncement of Allah's name over the sacrifice is an essential part of the

rite. " (Yusuf Ali commentary)

 

 

Allah says further: " It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches

Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to

you, that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you: And proclaim the

Good News to all who do right. " (Al-Hajj: 37)

 

 

" No one should suppose that meat or blood is acceptable to the One True God.

It was a pagan fancy that Allah could be appeased by blood sacrifice. But

Allah does accept the offering of our hearts, and as a symbol of such offer,

some visible institution is necessary. He has given us power over the brute

creation, and permitted us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at

the solemn act of taking life, for without this solemn invocation, we are

apt to forget the sacredness of life. By this invocation we are reminded

that wanton cruelty is not in our thoughts, but only the need for food ... "

(Yusuf Ali commentary)

 

 

It is quite clear from the Qur'anic passages above that the issue of animal

sacrifice is in relation to the role animals played in Arabian society at

that place and time (as well as other societies with similar climates and

culture), in that humans are commanded to give thanks to Allah and praise

Allah for the sustenance He has given them and that they should sacrifice

something of value to themselves to demonstrate their appreciation for what

they have been given (which in their case was the very animals on which

their survival was based). "

(www.islamonline.net)

 

 

*

*Virtues of Sacrifice*

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*In Islam, sacrifice, commonly known as Qurbani, means slaughter of a

permissible animal

in the name of Allah on the 10th, 11th or 12th of the Islamic month of Zil

Hujjah.

 

 

It is Sunnah (a symbolic obligation) practised by Holy Prophet Muhammad

(Pbuh) in 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 Qur'an. " 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 of serious work with him, he

said,a " 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: Peace and salutation to Abraham! (37:100-109).

 

 

Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said: " On the 10th of Zul-Hujjah, 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. "

 

 

Here are the precepts and practices pertaining to Qurbani, according to

Hanafi Fiqh.

On Whom is Sacrifice Mandatory

 

 

Sacrifice during the days of Eid-ul-Adha is waajib (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.

 

 

Sacrifice is not obligatory upon those who are not in possession of this

amount of wealth (i.e. the Nisaab value of Zakat). However, even if

sacrifice is not waajib upon one, an effort should be made to make this

great offering so that one may gain the tremendous amount of rewards which

the ibaadat of sacrifice carries.

 

 

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 intent is to offer Qurbani.

 

 

Age of Sacrificial Animals

Sacrifice of goat or sheep less than one year old (unless the sheep is so

strong and fat that it looks to be a full 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.

 

 

If the number of teeth intact exceeds the lost ones, it is permissible. If

it has no horns by birth, or has less than one third broken horns it is

permissible.

 

 

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 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.

 

 

Virtues of Sacrifice

Hazrat Jaber (R.A) reports, " We were accustomed not to eat the meat of our

sacrificed camels beyond three days. " Then Rasulullah

(Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) gave us permission (to do so) and asked us to

eat and preserve. So we ate and preserved (beyond three days).

It is related by Hazrat Ayesha that Rasulullah said, 'There is nothing

dearer to Allah Ta'ala during the days of sacrifice than the sacrificing of

animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the day of Qiyamah with its

horns, hair and hooves (to be weighed in sawaab). The sacrifice is accepted

by Allah Ta'ala before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice

with an open and happy heart. "

 

 

Hazrat Zaid ibn Arqam related that the companions of Rasulullah asked, " O

Rasulullah, what is sacrifice? " He replied, " it is the Sunnah of your father

Ibrahim " . They asked again, " What benefit do we get from it? " He answered,

" A reward for every hair of the sacrificed animal. " And what reward is there

for animals with wool? " They asked. " A reward, " he said, 'for every strand

of the wool. "

Rasulullah has said, " the person who sacrifices with a willing heart and

with the niyyat of reward, on the day of judgement, that sacrifice will

shield him from the fires of hell. "

 

Therefore by performing sacrifice every year a Muslim is abundantly rewarded

and drawn closer to Allah Ta'ala. Since this sacrificial devotion can be

offered on only three days of the year, this opportunity given by Allah

Ta'ala must not be missed by any Muslim on whom sacrifice is waajib.

 

 

Takbeer-e-Tashreek

The Takbeer Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu

Akbar. Allaahu 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. The Fatwa is that the one who

performs salaat with the congregation and the one who performs it alone are

the same as far as this law is concerned i.e. it is necessary to recite the

Takbeer. It is waajib on both male and female. Females should not say the

Takbeerat loudly, but softly.

 

 

Note: It is necessary for men to recite these Takbeerat in a moderately loud

voice. Many people are not mindful of this: either they read it softly or do

not read it at all.

 

 

The Eid Salat

The following are Masnoon on the day of Eid-ul-Adha.

* Awake early in the morning.

* Perform Ghusl (Masnoon Bath) and Miswaak.

* Wear one's best clothes.

* Apply perfume (itr).

* Recite the Takbeeraat audibly while going for the Eid salaat.

 

 

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, mine

offering, my living and mine 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 prayers, 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 love 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 martydomby affording us an opportunity to

shed our blood in His name.*