VIRTUES OF QURBANI

Zayd ibn Arqam (R.A.) relates that the Companions (R.A) asked: “O Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)! What is Qurbani?” He replied, “It is the sunnah of your father Ibrahim (A.S).” They asked again: “What benefit do we get out of it?” He answered: “A reward for every hair (of the sacrificed animal).” “And (what reward is there for animals with) wool, O Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)?” they asked. “A reward”, he answered, “for every fibre of wool.” [Ibn Maajah & Mishkaat]

Aaishah (R.A.) narrates the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: "There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart." [Tirmizi & Ibn Maajah].

WHO MUST PERFORM QURBANI

Qurbani is waajib on every resident Muslim who is of sound mind, mature and in possession of at least the Nisaab amount (it is not necessary to have it for a year.) It is not waajib upon the guardians of minors to perform it on their behalf. Similarly it is not waajib on a shar’ee traveller.
 
TIME OF SACRIFICE

The sacrificial animals may only be slaughtered after the Salaah of ‘Id-ul-Adha. According to Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A) slaughter is permitted on the day of ‘Id-al-Adha plus the following two days of Tashreeq. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Every day of Tashreeq is a day of sacrifice.”

 NB! It is advisable to slaughter during the day, however one can slaughter at night as well.

TYPE AND DESCRIPTION OF ANIMAL

The animal should be chosen from healthy stock without any visible defect, and can either be a male or a female.

1. Sheep and goats must be at least one year old and count as 1 share per animal.

2. Cattle must be at least two years old and count as 7 shares per animal.

3. Camels must be at least five years old and count as 7 shares per animal.

NB! It is virtuous to purchase the animal a few days prior to ‘Id-ul-Adha. Care for it by feeding and nursing it.

METHOD OF SLAUGHTERING

The wisdom of the Islamic rules of slaughtering is to take the animal’s life in the quickest and the least painful way. The main intent is to be kind to the animal and spare it unnecessary suffering as far as possible.

According to the Shari‘ah, the purification of an animal requires that the following conditions be present:

1. Making an intention (niyyah);

2. Feed, water, and soothe the animal;

3. It is preferable that the throat of the animal faces Qiblah;

4. Use a sharp knife to swiftly cut the windpipe, the gullet and the two jugular veins;

The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “Allah has ordained kindness (or excellence) in everything. If killing is to be done, do it in the best manner by first sharpening the knife and putting the animal at ease.”

5. Recite the name of Allah whilst slaughtering;

6. It is more virtuous to perform the sacrifice with one’s own hands if he is able to slaughter properly. However, if someone else is slaughtering on ones behalf, then it is preferred that one is present during the sacrifice.

The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) came towards two homed rams having black and white colours and slaughtered them with his own hands. [Bukhaari & Muslim].

NB! Women are also permitted to perform the slaughter.

DISTRIBUTING THE SACRIFICED ANIMAL

1. It is preferred that the meat be divided into three parts. One part for own use, one part for relatives and friends and one part for the poor and needy.

2. The meat and skin cannot be given as payment for services rendered but may be given as a gift.

3. The skin may be kept for personal use, given to someone else or given as sadaqah (or donated to an organisation).

NB! Give only such meat as you would yourself like to receive and eat.

QURBANI ON BEHALF OF THE DECEASED

Qurbani may be performed on behalf of the Prophet (S.A.W.), the Sahaaba, the Ummah, for living or deceased parents, family, friends, teachers, etc.

Abu Talha (R.A) related that the Prophet (S.A.W.) sacrificed one ram, and while sacrificing the other he said, “This is on behalf of every one of my Ummah who believe in me and testified (to my prophethood).” [Tabraani]

NIYYAH BEFORE SACRIFICING THE ANIMAL

Innee wajjahtu wajhiya lillazee fataras samawati walarda haneefaww wamaa ana minal mushrikeen. Inna salatee wa nusukee wa mahyaaya wamamaatee lillahi rabbil aalameen. La shareeka lahu wa bithaalika umirtu wa ana minal muslimeen. Allahumma minka wa laka

“I have set my face, firmly and truly towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth. And never shall I give partners to Allah. Verily my worship and my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. O Allah this sacrifice is from You and is for You.” (translation)

READ WHILE SLAUGHTERING THE ANIMAL

Bismillah - Allahu – Akbar (“In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest”)

READ AFTER SACRIFICING THE ANIMAL

Allahumma taqabbalhu minnee kama taqabbalta min habeebika Muhammadin wa khaleelika Ibraaheema alaihimas salaatu was-salaam

“O Allah accept from me (this sacrifice) like you have accepted from your beloved Muhammad (SAW) and Your friend Ibrahim (A.S), peace be upon them.”

HEALTH GUIDELINES

Observe the following after slaughtering the animal:

1. Allow the dead animal to bleed completely;

2. Skin the animal as soon as possible to avoid possible contamination;

3. Remove and clean the intestine and offal;

4. The offal can be buried without any wrapping or can be given away to anyone in need;

5. Carefully remove and dispose of bile / gall bladder;

6. Cover the blood pit with sand / wash away all blood;

7. Keep the carcass in a cool / shady area and freeze as soon as possible;

8. Avoid breaking / chopping the bones;

9. Separate the head and trotters (feet) from carcass;

REMEMBER: THE ANIMAL SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE SACRIFICE!

NB! According to Imaam Abu Hanifa (R.A) it is a waajib to perform Qurbani annually if one has the means to do so. Please perform at least ONE Qurbani with your family so that they too experience the true spirit of ‘Id-ul-Adha.

The act of Qurbani holds immense importance and significance. Here are some key reasons why Qurbani is an integral part of our faith:

• Remembrance of Sacrifice and Obedience: Qurbani is a symbolic act that commemorates the spirit of sacrifice and obedience demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) when he was willing to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail (pbuh), as an act of submission to Allah's command. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate devotion and submission to the will of Allah SWT.
  
  
• Fulfilment of Worship: Qurbani is an essential form of worship for those who are financially capable. By offering a sacrifice, Muslims express their gratitude and devotion to Allah SWT. It is an act of worship that brings spiritual fulfilment and strengthens the bond between the individual and the Creator.
  
  
• Promotion of Community and Togetherness: Qurbani encourages community and togetherness as Muslims come together to perform this act of worship. Families, friends, and neighbours participate collectively, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity within the Muslim community. The sharing of meat from the sacrificed animal further enhances the spirit of generosity and caring for one another.
  
  
• Redistribution of Blessings: The distribution of the meat from the Qurbani holds a significant purpose. One-third of the meat is required to be given to those in need, ensuring that the blessings and provisions of Allah SWT are shared with the less fortunate. This act of charity and compassion helps alleviate hunger and strengthens social cohesion within society.
  
  
• Reflection on Prophet Ibrahim's Lessons: The story of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) carries valuable lessons that are relevant to our lives today. Qurbani serves as a reminder to reflect on the teachings and virtues of Prophet Ibrahim, such as unwavering faith, patience, and trust in Allah (SWT)’s plan. It prompts us to introspect and evaluate our own duties and responsibilities as Muslims.

Let us embrace the significance of Qurbani and its teachings. May it inspire us to deepen our faith, strengthen our bonds of unity, and extend our compassion and generosity to those in need. Ameen

THE two ‘Eidan, the dual Arabic for our two “Eids”, are both special occasions requiring charitable acts as part of our ‘ibadat, or worship. In Ramadan, we are enjoined to give our Fitrah or Fidya, which are intended to lift the burdens of poverty.

Our fitrah, which can be given in kind or cash, is aimed at affording the poor a good meal on ‘Eid day, whilst the Fidya is a greater amount paid by those whom doctors deem cannot fast.

‘Eid ul-Adha, the ‘Eid of sacrifice, commemorates when the Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by Allah to sacrifice Isma’il, his son. Years previously, Ibrahim had been ordered by Allah to leave Hajr and Isma’il behind in Makkah, and to travel back to Hebron.

In a deeply touching moment, a distressed Hajr asks whether Ibrahim is departing because of his own volition, or because of an order from Allah. When the grief-stricken Ibrahim softly answers that it is from his Lord, she accepts her fate.

The Quranic concept of “ease after trial” is shown as Hajr runs seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa. She discovers the well of Zam-Zam, a well that still provides water for pilgrims today.

The test that Ibrahim faced with Isma’il was the most supreme one. For not only had he faced the fire of Nimrod, but he had prayed long and hard for children.

This Ibrahimic moment is symbolic of just so much – from the extinction of our nafs to the expression of divine love, hope and mercy. The last-minute reprieve of a ram being substituted for Isma’il on a rock in Mina is the sign of this.

The message of the Ibrahimic sacrifice is one that has endured for thousands of years. Ibrahim, who even tried to feed the Angels, is the father of generosity. Today, the traditional Qurbani celebrates the spirit of Ibrahim, and annually, millions of tonnes of meat is distributed to the poor.

Today, as we are beset with Covid-19 and poverty, the Qurbani meets an urgent and pressing socio-economic need – basic nutrition. And whilst Surat al-Hajj reminds us: it is not the meat or the blood in the Qurbani that reaches Allah, but our piety, it is ultimately the meat that nourishes the poor.

This is because the Qurbani has far-reaching, and hugely consequential effects, for the undernourished body. To put it another way, the Qurbani plays a manifest, and impactful role, in a time of dire need.

For some decades now, organisations such as the World Health Organisation and Oxfam have been saying that malnourishment is not just due to starvation, per se, but also due to impoverished communities relying on a single food source to survive.

As a result, some people can appear outwardly well, but in reality are still lacking amino acids, minerals and vitamins so vital to good health. This is why, for example, Covid-19 has hit poorer communities harder, even in developed countries such as the US.

So, what does the successful Qurbani do on a grand scale?

According the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, meat consumption (in good moderation) can alleviate common nutritional deficiencies. The basis of a good diet – for the development and maintenance of health – is a variety of foods, says the FAO.

Lean meat, said to be the best organic form of natural protein, contains vitamins B6, B12 and E, as well as Zinc, Selenium, Iron, Niacin, Phosphorous and Magnesium. This is a weighty contribution to overall nutritional balance.

If one considers that for many, the donation of Qurbani meat will probably be one of the few times in a single year that they will be able to have meat in their diet, the critical contribution by agencies performing Qurbani in impoverished communities is thrown into sharp focus.

Bearing all this in mind, it will be business as usual for SANZAF, despite the challenges of Covid-19. Last year, we distributed nearly 1,500 shares of Qurbani meat locally to over 120 needy communities. In Malawi and Mozambique, we distributed nearly 8,000 shares of meat to 20,000 families, thus feeding nearly 100,000 people.

However, we cannot do this on our own, and it is due to the bigheartedness of our many donors that we have been able to service these needs. And as ‘Eid ul-Adha 2020 approaches, we look forward to making a difference, yet again.

THE historical roots of the Qurbani, the ritual sacrifice, which heralds the Hajj and the festival of ‘Eid ul-Adha, run very deep in mankind’s history. Sacrifice has been the fabric of human worship since time immemorial.

In the earliest days, ritual sacrifice was used to placate the deities the early peoples felt resided in the world around them. Communities, looking into the skies and nature, would usually make sacrifices during the spring solstice.

It was believed that the sacrifice would ensure plentiful crops, good weather and a respite from calamities. These were superstitious practices often manipulated by unjust rulers, and their priests, to ensure that the common man was kept under control.

Some of these practices involved human sacrifice. The Egyptians, for instance, would bury pharaohs with their servants, so that their needs would be met in the afterlife. The civilizations of Mesoamerica, such as the Aztecs and the Incas, ceremonially slaughtered their subjects, and even dumped treasure in lakes to appease the gods.

In Mesopotamia there was a god for every day of the week. Ur is a Mesopotamian capital where the Prophet Ibrahim was born. Later, he moved to Harran. It was built by Nimrud, the Old Testament dictator. Harran was the centre of the moon god, Sin, and Ibrahim’s father, Azar, was an idol maker.

A significant moment is recorded when the prophet Ibrahim looks around him to find God. The Qur’an recounts this when he sees a star, and says, “Surely, this is my lord.” But when the star sets, he rejects it. The same happens with the moon and the sun, and Ibrahim declares he has no partners with Allah.

The early Muslims would have recognised the prophet Ibrahim’s philosophical dilemma. Those who became Muslim at the time of the blessed Prophet Muhammad in the 7^th century would have rejected these very same gods on their road to faith.

Historically, it took the Prophet’s great ancestor, Ibrahim, to bring the revelation of monotheism to focus the human spirit on one God. The prophetic message came to lift humanity out of the morass of ignorance, superstition and oppression, which had resulted from polytheism’s tyrannical pantheon of gods. 

It was Ibrahim who smashed the idols in the Harran temple, cleverly leaving one behind. When the enraged inhabitants accosted Ibrahim, his reply was that they should ask the remaining idol, as it had witnessed the event.

Enraged, Nimrud had built a massive fire to burn Ibrahim as a punishment. This was a human sacrifice designed to strike fear into the hearts of the people.

We all know that Allah protected Ibrahim in the fire. The Qisas al-Anbiya’ says that for Ibrahim it became a cool garden. Nimrud met a sticky end when a gnat crawled up his nose into his brain, causing migraines.

Nimrud’s pain could only be lifted when a courtier struck him on the head. The courtier had to hit him harder each time for relief. He eventually killed Nimrud by splitting his skull. The gnat then flew out proclaiming “la ilaha illallah” (there is no God except Allah).

Nabi Ibrahim’s biography is detailed, and his contribution to the framework of monotheism is colossal. Without doubt, the most critical juncture of his prophethood is when he is ordered by Allah to sacrifice his son, Isma’il, near Mina.

We have to understand that this was something that would have been understood by people at a time when human sacrifice was not uncommon.

However, this is where the Qur’an is so clever. For as the knife refuses to cut Nabi Isma’il’s throat, humanity is shown mercy. We will not have to sacrifice our sons. Nabi Isma’il, the forbearing one, will be replaced by a handsome ram with large horns.

Allah shows the believers that he will test them, but more pertinently, he shows the unbelievers that His Compassion wins the day. Allah shows he is a caring God. He is not a trivial God. He is not whimsical by nature. He is not manipulated. He is a Great God. He is the Greatest God. He is the only One.

By ordaining that we sacrifice animals with compassion for His sake on the three days of Dhul Hijjah, Allah reminds us of His beloved emissary, Ibrahim.  The message is clear: Qurbani (or Udhiyyah) is a sign of Allah’s Supreme Mercy, and when we distribute the sanctified meat to the less fortunate it is a reminder of Allah’s Supreme Generosity, as those who qualify for Zakah, qualify for Qurbani meat.

For as the Prophet [saw] said:

“There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Udhiyyah than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah even before the blood reaches the ground. So, my beloveds, sacrifice with an open and happy heart…”

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Thinking of Qurbani this year? Why not go with SANZAF. Malawi, Mozambique or local. Call us at 0861-726-923