The concept of sacrifice

The concept of Sacrifice By Mufti Hafidh Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri Deputy Head, Dept of Fiq Jamia Nizamia, Founder/Director Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Centre

Islam basically means reverence, obedience, commitment and surrendering, which is against pride, waywardness, self adornment etc. The principles of Islam teach that a slave should always go against sensuality and he should forget all the desires which satisfy his needs and try to achieve the pleasure and approval of Almighty Allah through obedience and reverence. Sacrificing one’s views and ideas before the commands and instructions of Allah, foregoing arrogance, bidding good bye to pride and egotism and following the commands of Almighty Allah is the correct meaning and origin of sacrifice.

Unless and until a slave uses his/her authority and power, thoughts and ideas, body and spirit, wealth and empire, hours and seconds and almost everything with the primary intention of obtaining the proximity ( Qurb )of Almighty Allah, he or she is not a (perfect) Muslim. The one who does not have obedience and reverence will never taste the sweetness of Imaan.

The lives of Hadhrat Prophets (Peace be upon all of them), the devoted companions (Sahabah – May Allah be well pleased with all of them), the unblemished and pure Ahle Bait (family members) and noble saints are the true examples of sacrifice. It was nothing other than the sacrifice when Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) left his beloved wife Hadhrat Bibi Hajera (Peace be upon her) and his son Hadhrat Ismail (Peace be upon him) on the order of Almighty Allah in a place where there was neither food nor shelter and not even a single living being. Similarly, when his devoted son attained the age of 13, Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) tried to slaughter his son on the command of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala). It was also a kind of sacrifice when Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) was put in a great fire by Namrud (Nimrod) and he did not even think of going against the decree of Almighty Allah by taking the help of the angel.

It can also be termed as sacrifice when the devoted companions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) left their money and wealth and relinguished their relationship with their relatives and migrated to Madinah and spent their days and nights under the shadows of arrows and swords in various battles like Badr, Hunain etc. Similarly, the four Successors of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered their lives to Almighty Allah during their periods of succession. On the other hand, the beloved and noble grandsons of Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with them) along with their family members offered their lives to Almighty Allah on the battle field of Karbala. Hence, the whole of Islamic history is full of events and incidents of sacrifice and from its very beginning till today.

The message of sacrifice is present in the Islamic principles, prayers and virtues etc. while praying Salaah, Fasting, offering Zakaath and performing Haj, a slave ignores his/her own ideas and adopts the instructions of Almighty Allah. Similarly, in marriage and divorce, trade and commerce, he/she overlooks desires and follows the rules given by Almighty Allah. With the above lines, it is clearly understood that obedience, reverence, Islamic faith and sacrifice are interrelated to one and other. Besides the existence of the meaning of sacrifice in the principles of Islam, Allah has decreed the sacrifice of an animal especially once in a year:

In this regard Allah Ta’ala says:-

Translation: Therefore, offer prayer for your Lord and do the sacrifice.

Sacrifice (Qurbani) means achieving the Qurb of Almighty Allah. Everything that supports the slave in doing this comes under the category of sacrifice (Qurbani).

If a person spends his hours and seconds, his capabilities, wealth and empire and his life too, for the sake of obtaining approval and pleasure of Almighty Allah, even then the duty of worship is not fulfilled. We get the above lesson from the auspicious lives of the virtuous slaves of Almighty Allah.

 

Especially unique lessons of sacrifice appear in the entire life of Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him). Sacrifice is liked and desired Almighty Allah.

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) says:-

Translation:- You shall never attain good unless you spend favourite things.

Translation: Neither their flesh reaches Allah nor their blood, but your piety reaches Him.

Slaughtering an animal according to Islamic tenets with the intention of worship either on 10th, 11th of 12th Dhul Hijja is known as Sacrifice (Qurbani).

Tanveer-ul-Absaar with Durre Muqtar Vol-5, Page 219 defines sacrifice as follows:

There are three days – 10th, 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah for sacrifice, the time of sacrifice begins soon after offering the Salaat of Eid-ul-Azha and ends soon after the sunset of 12th Zil Hijja, after this time sacrifice cannot be done, sacrificing in the night is Undesirable (Makrooh).

Sacrificing develops obedience, reverence towards Almighty Allah in Muslims. There are countless exhortations for sacrifice in the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). In Shu'abul Iman Vol-5, Page-482 a Hadith is quoted:

Translation of Hadith: Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with Him) narrates, Holy Prophet said, "By the virtue of slaughtering a sheep on the day of your Eid, your Lord will be pleased.

By the guidance of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), we came to know about those deeds by which the Lord of the Worlds is pleased. On the day of Eid-ul-Azha among all the acts and deeds, sacrificing is the most honorable one. According to Shu'abul Iman Vol-5, Page-482:

Translation of Hadith: Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) narrates that Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The best Dirham (i.e. money) is that which is spent to slaughter an animal on the day of Eid.

There are numerous exhortations to sacrifice in the Hadith of Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). The most beloved deed to Allah is sacrificing on Eid-ul-Azha, according to Jame' Tirmidhi, Vol.-1, Page-275:

Translation of Hadith: Ummul Momineen, Hadhrat Ayesha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her) narrates that Holy Majesty said "On Sacrificing day, no other virtue of a man is more liked by Allah than shedding the blood in sacrificing the animal and undoubtedly, on the Day of Judgment, the animal will come along with the horns, hairs and feets. Before the blood of the sacrificed animal falls on the earth, the same will be accepted in the court of Almighty Allah, so you also offer sacrifice wholeheartedly.

According to Sunan Ibne Majah, Vol-2, Page-226:

Translation of Hadith: Hadhrath Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates, a companion of Holy Majesty asked 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 (Peace be upon Him). Again 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 purpose of the wool? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: There is a reward for every strand of the wool.

Today sacrificing is opposed by some of the groups. They say that sacrificing is the practice of Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and not of our Prophet, so it is not a suitable virtue for us. Ma'azallah! (May Allah protect us from this). They comment that this act is destroying a number of animals and their blood. Instead of this, the same amount of money can be used for the welfare activites of the poor and needy people.

The thoughts and ideas of Muslims are purely according to the principles of the Holy Quran and Hadith.

Sacrificing is an order of Almighty Allah through the following verse:

Translation: Therfore offer Salaat for your Lord and do the sacrifice.

The Holy Quran highlights the sacrifices of Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him).

Translation: Therefore, follow the religion of Ibrahim who was separate from every falsehood.

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) has defined the concept of sacrifice for every Ummah as He says:

Translation:-And for every nation (Ummah) we appointed a sacrifice that they might mention the name of Allah ……….

Numerous Hadith of Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) are narrated in this regard. Besides, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Himself offered sacrifice on the practice of Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and established it for His disciples. The best example for us to follow are the foot steps of Holy Majesty (Peace be upon Him) as Almighty Allah says:-

Translation:-Indeed, the best example for you to follow is the Messenger of Allah.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered sacrifice during His stay in Madinah in the last years of his observable life. By the reference of Jame Tirmidhi, a Hadith is narrated in Mishkat-ul-Masabeeh, Vol-1, Page-129, in which Hadhrath Ibn-e-Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) says: During the stay of the Holy Prophet in Madinah for 10 years, He performed sacrifice.

By the above verses of Holy Quran and the Hadith of the Holy Majesty, we get the proof that sacrifice is an instruction of Almighty Allah as well as a part of worship. If it can be abandoned due to expenditure, then a huge amount of money is spent in the performance of Hajj, so should the Muslims stop themselves from doing so? The reply will be absolutely not, as it is decreed by Almighty Allah. Similarly, sacrificing is also an order of Almighty Allah, which cannot be abandoned. Hence, the sacrificed animals are said to be destroyed only at the moment when its body parts and organs are not utilised, except the Undesirable are prohibited (Makrooh and Haraam) ones, the rest all are utilised.

Even its skin is used for various purposes. The meat is distributed among the family members, relatives and friends and destitutes etc. After all feeding family is a responsibility and feeding relatives and the poor is an act of kindness. Therefore, talking about the destruction of sacrificed animal is a big stupidity and selfishness.

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) says:-

Translation:-He it is Who created for you all that is in the Earth.

For humans the benefits of animals are stated in the following verse.

Translation:-And created cattle, in them, is warm costume and there are profits, and of them you eat.

Who should perform Qurbani

Qurbani is Wajib on every adult and sane Muslim who is the owner of prescribed limit of wealth in Islamic Law and. Like Zakaat, there is no rule here that the wealth should increase or should have been there for a year in case of sacrifice. The owner of the prescribed limit ( Nisab ) means the one who possess 60 grams 755 mg of gold or 425 grams 285 mg of silver or the equivalent cash or more other than the basic necessities. Food, clothes, shelter, means of transport and other household goods come under the category of basic necessities. According to the religious scholars, only three pairs of clothes can be regarded as the basic need, one for wearing at home, the next while working and the last for special occasions such asFriday, Eid etc. Similarly, regarding shelter, they specify that each one should have two rooms one for summer, another for winter including a kitchen, bathroom and lavatory.

According to the above specifications of the religious preceptors, the value of goods excluding shelter and basic needs should be equal to the value of 60 grams of gold of 425 grams of silver, then offering sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah becomes compulsary (Wajib). Therefore if an extra mode of transport (vehicle), extra pairs of clothes than the required ones and goods beyond the basic needs become equal or more than the prescribed limit, then offering sacrifice is a compulsory virtue to be perfomed. Some of us have wrong opinion that only the head of the family should perform sacrifice and not the other members. Performing Qurbani is like Salaat and fasting, compulsory on every Muslim. Similarly, every owner of the prescribed limit of wealth, whether he might the head of the family or not, should perform Qurbani. Therefore, if a family has five members and each one has wealth/money which reaches the prescribed limits, then all the five members must perform Qurbani.

Warnings on not performing Qurbani

The one for whom Qurbani is Wajib but does not do so, then he should go through these warnings once:

According to Shu'abul Iman, Hadhrath Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates a Hadith that the Holy Prophet said:

Translation of Hadith: The one who is able to perform Qurbani, but does not do so should never come near to Our Eidgah.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has provided an easy alternative for sacrifice to all those slaves of Almighty Allah who are incapable of offering sacrifice. By doing this, they will get the complete reward of sacrifice is. According to Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol-2, Page-386:

Translation of Hadith: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) that Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ……………One of his companions asked: I don't have enough wealth to offer sacrifice, but I have a goat which gives milk, so can I offer it as sacrifice?. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: No! However, you shave (or trim) your hairs, cut your nails, trim your moustaches and remove the pubic hair, it is considered a complete sacrifice in the court of Almighty Allah.

Gift of Sacrifice in the court of Holy Majesty (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

It was the regular practice of Hadhrath Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) to offer sacrifice on behalf of Holy Majesty. According to Jame’ Tirmidhi Vol-1, Page-275:

Translation of Hadith: Hadhrat Hanash (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates: Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) used to slaughter two sheep, one on the behalf of the Holy Prophet and another for him. Once Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) was asked about this. He replied: "The Holy Prophet ordered me to do the same, which I'll never stop”.

The Holy Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to perform sacrifice on the behalf of His noble family members and on the behalf of those people of His Ummah who are incapable of performing it. A Hadith of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is narrated in this context in Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol-2, Page-226:

Translation of Hadith: Ayesha Siddiqa (May Allah be well pleased with her) says: The Holy Prophet offered a cow in sacrifice on behalf of his noble family members in Hajjatul Wada.

Similarly, according to Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol-2, Page-388:

Translation of Hadith: Hadhrat Jabir (May Allah be well pleased with him) says "I was present with Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in the Eidgah on Eid-ul-Azha. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) returned from His pulpit after delivering the sermon. A sheep was brought before him, so he slaughtered it with his blessed hands reciting: "Bismillahi Wallahu Akbar" and said: It is from myself and on the behalf of my followers who cannot perform.