The excellence of sacrificing an animal

The excellence of sacrificing an animal

 

There are many Hadith which describe the excellence of sacrificing an animal and its rules.  On the day of Eid Ul Azha, the deed most loved by Allah Most High is sacrificing the animal.  The blood of the animal is accepted by Allah Most High before it falls on the ground.  Thus, we should perform this act wholeheartedly with a good intention.  There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:

 

The mother of the believers, Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her), narrates that Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  On the day of sacrifice, no other deed of a man is more liked by Allah Most High than the shedding the blood in sacrificing the animal and undoubtedly, on the Day of Judgment, the animal will come along with the horns, hairs and hooves.  The blood of the sacrificed animal is accepted in the court of Allah Most High before it falls on the earth.  Thus, you should sacrifice an animal wholeheartedly.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1572)

 

There is a Hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah about the reward of sacrificing an animal:

 

Hadhrat Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates, a companion of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) asked Him:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  What is sacrifice?  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied:  It is the practice of your father Ibrahim (May peace be upon him).  Then he asked: What is there for us in it O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)?  The Holy Prophet replied: There is a reward for every hair.  Again he asked:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! Then what is the wool for? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: There is a reward for every little strand of wool.  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 3247)

 

On the day of Eid Ul Azha, there is no money better than the one which is spent for sacrificing an animal, as mentioned in this Hadith of Shu‘abul Iman:

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah Bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: On the day of Eid, the best Dirham is the one spent on the animal being slaughtered.  (Shu‘abul Iman, Hadith No. 7084)

 

Sacrificing an animal on the day of Eid gains one the approval and pleasure of Allah Most High.  There is a Hadith in Shu‘abul Iman to this effect:

 

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with Him) narrates that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  By virtue of slaughtering a sheep (or any other permissible animal) on the day of your Eid, your Lord will be pleased.  (Shu‘abul Iman, Hadith No. 7085)