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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 Mecca (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".
According to Tirmizi Shareef and Sunan Ibn Majah, Hazrat
Ayesha (radi Allahu anha) stated that 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 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!"
- 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.
- 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.
- It is Waajib for every Muslim male and Muslim
female who:-
- has attained puberty (Baaligh)
- is of sound mind (not insane)
- 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)
- To make sacrifice in the Name of Allah
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- It is not Waajib or necessary for the following
people to make Qurbani:-
- one who has not attained puberty (not Baaligh) even if he
or she possesses Nisaab.
- A traveller (who is not yet Muqeem).
- One who does not possess Nisaab during that specific
period in time.
- On who may be in possession of Nisaab bit has turned
insane.
- 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.
- Qurbani cannot be undertaken on behalf of another
person upon who Qurbani is Waajib, without his or her prior consent.
- Only the following animals may be sacrificed for
Qurbani:-
- Goat and Sheep with a minimum of 1 year each.
- Cattle with a minimum of 2 years.
- Camels with a minimum of 5 years.
- 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:-
- All seven participants have uniformity in Niyyah (i.e.
either Qurbani or Aqeeqah).
- 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.
- 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.
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:-
- 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.
- Sick and emaciated animals that lack the ability to
move or walk.
- Owners of Qurbani animals, whether male or female,
who have the knowledge of making Zabah should slaughter their own animals.
- 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.
- Before slaughtering, the following 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."
- The person should then slaughter the animal
reading: "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar."
- This Dua must also be read: "Allahumma takabalhu
minni kama takabalta min habeebika Muhammadiw wa Khaleelika Ibraheema alayhimas
salaatu was salaamu."
- 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.
- 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.
- Every effort should be made to ensure that animals
are not slaughtered in the presence of other live animals.
- 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.
- The skinning of the slaughtered animal and
dismembering of body parts should not commence until the animal's carcase has
turned cold.
- 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 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."
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).
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 electrial stunning of animals
that are normally done in abbatoirs.
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 effecient 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 unconsious 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 occurence 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 effecient and the safest.
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