The Glorious Quran mentions qurbani, or sacrifice, an ancient devotion that has been performed in all Ummahs for all eternity:
Additionally, We have designated a sacrifice for each nation, asking them to invoke Allah’s name above the silent animals He has given them.
(Surah Al-Hajj, Part 17, Ayah 34)
What is Qurbani ? Why Qurbani is Important ? Beyond this synopsis, a thorough examination of history reveals that Qurbani is mentioned in every Divine religion and, except for a handful, is also mentioned in nearly every non-Divine religion. The Glorious Quran mentions Qurbani in the description of the several Ummahs, in addition to the commandment of Qurbani that is given to each Ummah.
Regarding the Haabeel and Qaabeel incident that happened during Sayyiduna Aadam’s عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, the Glorious Quran states:
And tell them the genuine account of the two sons of Adam, who each presented a separate sacrifice; as a result, one was accepted while the other was rejected.
(Surah Al-Ma`idah, Part 6, Ayah 27)
The Qurbani are mentioned in the current bible. One of their professors’ major duties was organizing and overseeing the entire Qurbani procedure, which was so well-known and well-liked that they had made accepting Islam contingent upon fulfilling it. The Glorious Quran contains the following quote:
Individuals who assert, “We have been promised by Allah not to trust any Messenger until they bring an order for a sacrifice that will be consumed by fire (from heaven)”
(Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, Part 4, Ayah 183)
The source of Deen-e-Islam is Deen-e-Ibraheemi. At the same time that Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام was given the order to proclaim the Hajj, the following qualities and advantages of Qurbani of Hajj were also mentioned in Deen-e-Ibraheemi:
And when you publicly announce Hajj to the people, they will come to you on foot and on every skinny she-camel from all the distant paths.To guarantee that they camel.To ensure that they receive their benefit, they should say the name of Allah on designated days. Since He has given them the mute animals, you should eat from them and feed the hungry and in need.
(Surah Al-Hajj, Part 17, Ayah 27–28)
Since Deen-e-Islam is a continuation of Deen-e-Ibraheemi, it is evident that Qurbani’s directives are followed in it. Every Muslim child knows about the Hajj, particularly the Qurbani of Eid-ul-Adha. In Deen-e-Islam, Qurbani comes in five varieties:
- The first is the Qurbani known as “Hadyun” [ρدό], who is mentioned in Hajj ceremonies. is stated in portion 7 of Surah Al-Ma`idah, Ayah 97.
- Second, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 196, part 2, the Qurbani who is Wajib on the one undertaking Hajj Tamattu'[1] or Hajj Qiraan.
- The third is carried out in retaliation. Take Janayat or Ihsaar, for instance. It is referenced in Ayah 196, part 2 of Surah Al-Baqarah.
- Fourth, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, which is observed in remembrance of Sayyiduna Ibraheem’s wonderful Qurbani عَـلَيْـهّ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام. Surah Al-Kawsar makes reference to it.
- Aqeeqah is the fifth category. It is done on a child’s birth anniversary as a show of joy and appreciation to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Blessed Ahadees attest to it.
The fundamental principle of Qurbani is to use money to satisfy Allah Ta’ala. The reason for this is that in Islam, Qurbani is highly esteemed and respected. Moreover, it has been declared by Allah Almighty as “شَعائر اللّٰف,” or “signs of Allah Almighty.” According to the Glorious Quran:
And We have made the huge sacrifice animals among the emblems of Allah for you. (Surah Al-Hajj, Part 17, Ayah 36)
The wisdom of Qurbani
Qurbani is a very wise man. First of all, the fundamental tenet of Islam is total surrender to Divine will, as the Qurbani really requires. Second, it entails feeding and consuming the impoverished, and the Glorious Quran makes reference to this wisdom:
So take a bite out of it and feed the beggar and the person who is waiting patiently.
(Surah Al-Hajj, Part 17, Ayah 36)
Thirdly, the needy and destitute can now access the wonderful food that they would otherwise be unable to purchase thanks to Qurbani. Fourthly, Qurbani encourages obedience by expressing the blessings and rewards given to Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام.
Fifthly, Qurbani instills in the populace the solid belief that all acts of worship are committed only for Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Arab polytheists identified the idols with both material and spiritual acts of devotion with Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, allocating a portion of their labor to farming, Sajdah, Du’a, and Qurbani in the idols’ honor. Since Islam is a Deen-e-Tawheed (monotheistic religion), all acts of worship are stated [to be carried out] only for Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ:
And they (of the Book) were commanded to worship none other than Allah, to have a complete faith in Him, and to adhere to one side exclusively (i.e. towards Islam).(Surah Al-Bayyinah, Part 30, Ayah 5)
Salah, Sajdah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj, and all other acts of devotion are [conducted] only for Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.
An assessment of the Qurbani and its reaction
Some others remark that Qurbani kills the animal and is a waste of money. This sum ought to be donated to the underprivileged or used for any patriotic cause. This is a response:
First of all, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has commanded us to do so because He knows this profit and loss better than we do. For this reason, the wonderful commandment of “عالم الغٌب والش؍ادσ” is extremely honorable to us. Second, it is a Mustahab act, according to Shari’ah, to distribute flesh from sacrificial animals to the underprivileged. Thus, this great deed fulfills both the Divine command and the most fundamental need of the impoverished.
Thirdly, while Nafli Qurbani can be substituted with monetary gifts if desired, Wajib Qurbani must be carried out in accordance with Shari’ah.
Never before has someone spoken or implied that “no impoverished person should be given even a rupee other than Wajib Qurbani.” Fourthly, billions of rupees meant for the poor should be used to fund the production of dramas, movies, and other pointless and opulent endeavors, rather than being criticized and objected to.
Briefly put! In actuality, there are a plethora of alternative ways to help the impoverished; but, many who despise religion fail to see these options. Only at Qurbani do they start to worry for the impoverished.
Greetings, brothers in Islam! For a good deed to be carried out correctly and to reap its benefit, precise knowledge of the deed is essential. Offering sacrifices in Allah’s path عَزَّوَجَلَّ is one such deed that is excellent and yields a great deal of reward. For this reason, having the appropriate expertise is crucial. A few safety measures need to be taken both before and after purchasing the sacrificed animal. Please review the safety measures regarding the hide of the sacrificed animal.
Use of sacrificial animal’s hide
For any such work that is virtuous and results in recompense, the hide of a sacrificed animal can be used. (Page 473 of Fatawa Razawiyyah, volume 20)
When an animal is sacrificed, its hide can be used for any of the sacrificer’s tasks without needing to be exchanged for anything. He can use it, for instance, to construct a dining mat, a leather bag for drawing water, a sieve, a prayer mat, a bag, a dining mat, etc. He can also use it to make book covers. (Pages 345–346) Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 3,
According to Shari’ah, the individual who slaughtered the animal cannot receive the hide of the sacrificial animal as payment because doing so would [similar to] selling it. (Al-Hidayah, Juz: 4, vol. 2, pp. 361)
