Eid-Al-Adha means (Holyday of sacrifice). Audhia is also known as (Qurban). What is Qurban in Islam? What are Qurbani rules? What is the significance of sacrifice from the point of view of Muslims? This is what we will learn today…
Here we will learn the following:
What is Qurbani?
Qurbani is the sacrifice Muslim present as a way of worship to Allah. Qurbani linguistically means giving someone a special gift in order to get closer to him.
Qurbani can take many forms, but in Islam the term becomes linked to animal sacrificing for the sake of Allah (Only One True God) –glorified is He– as a form of worship to get closer to Him, and to seek His acceptance and satisfaction.
The Qurban is merely a symbol that the believer has given up something for the sake of God. The believer has given up money to purchase the animal. They then give up a large share of the meat to feed those less fortunate than themselves. Moreover, the believer gives up time to select an animal to be slaughtered with care.
Sacrifice of wealth or desires is the practical proof of man’s devotion to his Creator.
Importance of animal sacrifice in Islam:
Sharing is highly encouraged in Islam especially when it comes to food.
Islam has given its people the right to live honorably and with dignity, in all the fields of life, including the right to eat from the best kind of foods even if one doesn’t own it himself.
Allah the Almighty said,
Never will you attain the good until you spend from that which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah knows of it.”
لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌۭ ٩٢
[Quran 3:92]
This highly encourages the rich to give the poor from the best things that they have.
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e., say: As-Salamu ‘Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace.”
يا أيها الناس أفشوا السلام، وأطعموا الطعام، وصلوا الأرحام وصلوا والناس نيام، تدخلوا الجنة بسلام
[At- Tirmidhi]
At what age is Qurbani Fard?
Some scholars say Qurban is obligatory on adults with the means to do it. Still, others say Qurbani isn’t Farz (obligatory), instead it is a voluntary and highly recommended deed for those who have the willingness and means.
The main conditions for sacrifice either way is adulthood and having sufficient extra funds and means to be able to do it.
Sacrificing a Qurban is also part of Hajj (pilgrimage), which makes it mandatory for those doing the journey. Hajj is obligatory on every able Muslim at least once in their lives once they become adults. It means that it doesn’t have a certain age to it; rather, it depends on the physical and biological signs of it for both man and woman.
Personal sacrifice in islam
The meat of the Udhiyah (Qurban) should be divided in three equal portions: a third for the poor and needy, a third for friends and relatives, and a third for oneself and the family.
If poverty is widespread, then it is good to give more of it in charity to the poor and the needy.
Those who intend to sacrifice in Eid-al-Adha, should have this intention clear before the start of the ten days of the last Hijry month (Thou-Al-Hijja), and don’t cut any part of their hair, nails or skin. On the Tenth day, i.e., the day of Pilgrimage and Eid, after Sacrificing they can go clean, showing a sign of dedication to Allah.
Types Of Sacrifice in Islam
The Qurban can only be either:
- camel
- cow –including buffalo
- sheep –including goats.
The animal can’t be too young or too old. It must be in good health, and if female, it can’t be pregnant. The minimum age for sheep is one year, for cows two years, and for camels is five years.
Qurbani rules for husband and wife
A husband and wife can share the sacrifice of Qurban, with either the efforts or just the reward.
A Qurban can be shared between people. But that’s only if it is a cow or camel, and the minimum share is a seventh of Each.
Sheep can’t be shared and they are only a valid sacrifice for one person. Still, it is a valid sacrifice for one’s family, sharing with him its reward
Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon Him) sacrificed and said: ((In the name of Allah,” O Allah, accept this sacrifice on behalf of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and the Umma of Muhammad” ).
(Hadith)
قَالَ ” بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ” . ثُمَّ ضَحَّى بِهِ .
Hadith about sacrifice in islam
Animal sacrifice in islam in Eid-al-Adha isn’t only done in the noblest manner, but also Eid-Al-Adha is a season which the poor wait for from year to year to have the most delicious food that they can’t afford to buy.
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
He who eats to satisfaction while his neighbour is hungry is not a believer.”
[Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, Vol. 10, Pg.3, Hadith #19452]
Allah says: ‘I asked you for food and you did not feed Me.”
[Reported by Imam Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Hadith #517]
– He (His slave) will say, ‘Lord,how could I feed You when You did not ask me for food and You are the Lord of the universe?’
He will say, ‘Do you not know that My slave so-and-so asked you for food and you did not feed him? Do you not know that if you had fed him, you would have found that action with Me?……”
And Allah the Almighty said in the Quran:
Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.”
[57:7]
The Sacrifice Story of Ibrahim
Muslims were taught about sacrifice from Prophet Abraham peace be upon him. He was ordered by the Lord to kill his son. He obeyed the order, sharpened his knife, and told his son to stay still; he did all that to prove to God that he trusts Him and believes Him.
And as a reward, Allah rewarded him. Allah didn’t want to torture him, and since he proved his faith Allah has made the sacrifice to be a sheep instead of the son “Ismeal” peace be upon him.
Then when He reached the age of work, he said: “Oh my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!” he 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, and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead, 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.”)
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ١٠٢فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ ١٠٣وَنَـٰدَيْنَـٰهُ أَن يَـٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ ١٠٤قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ١٠٥إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْبَلَـٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْمُبِينُ ١٠٦وَفَدَيْنَـٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ١٠٧
[Quran, Surat As-Safat 37:102-107]
In honoring Ibrahim for obeying Allah’s Commands, Muslims are ordered to follow his example and to sacrifice for Allah as Ibrahim did.
The sacrifice shows before all else the manifestation of the meaning of (Muslim): The one who submits to Allah (God), and follows His Messengers.
This is really what sacrifice is about: submissiveness, abandonment, and obedience to The All-Wise and Just Creator.
It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him.”
لَن يَنَالَ ٱللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ
[Qur’an 22:37]
Is Qurbani Hash?
You can ask: how can the death of a living creature bring another living creature closer to God? How does slaughtering a cow, a sheep, a goat or a camel bring people together?
let me instead ask: what is done by the Qurban? It isn’t slaughtered in vain and thrown away! Its slaughtered to be shared with people. And here is where you find the answer to the previous questions.
Conclusion
To conclude, the concept of sacrifice is applicable to the wide scope of our life. Have you tried to exert some effort to leave your comfort zone to reach the truth? Here are the specific steps you can easily follow to be a Muslim!
