Adil Najam
Last year we posted a rather disturbing video that might have been titled the ‘revenge of the cow’; if you did not see it, it may be worth watching again. Our bhains video this year is more docile but equaly though-provoking.
This is a Geo News report from Bakra Mandi, Walton, Lahore. Rs. 10 lakh (Rs. 1,000,000), Rs. 6 lakh (Rs. 600,000) for a cow and the bargaining goes on. “Babar” is a fine specimen for sure - wighing 35 mun, 4 year old, and drinking 10 kilo milk and eating 1o kilo of fodder a day it is being offered for Rs. 10 lakh (Rs. one million).
Is this a story about inflation? Or is it about showing off? And how does it connect with the spirit of sacrifice and sharing that the qurbani is supposed to be about? If the purpose of qurbani is sacrifice and helping the poor might it not be better to just take that money and distribute to the really needed who might find the case more helpful than a fine piece of steak? I understand the importance of ritual in any social and belief system. But the spirit of the ritual should count for more than its mechanics. No?
@Mudassar:Couldn’t agree more. Population is the biggest issue for our country right now, it is the root of all evil; without controlling it we are destined to be doomed, but no one dares to talk about it; forum like this should be used to educate people on issues like population and common sense.
Rahim Khan,
Having read the article and so far from experience I have reached the conclusion, that I am a poduct of a nation, which unfortunately has a history of
Nawab Ibn Nawab ibn Nawab and Ghulam Ibn Ghulam Ibn Ghulam, and our governments cant cease to be slaves of west unless they free their own ghulams.
Relevant questions Adil. However the purpose of Qurbani is not just to help the poor by way of distribution of wealth and meat - part of that is achieved by Zakat.
It is completely true that we’ve descended to a ritualistic low, however, arguably, the real purpose of Qurbani is sacrifice something that is very close to you for the will of God. Obviously it is not possible to establish a bond with an animal that was bought just a couple of days before eid. The animal should be reared and taken care of for sometime before it should be offered.
Giving away money is not always the solution. Often the purpose behind the ritual is much more significant - something that a monetary act of charity cannot duplicate. Just as you cannot give away money as compensation for prayer, giving away money in lieu of Qurbani is not feasible and does not fulfil the purpose.
Just my two cents.
Apologize for posting comment not related to post, but this is worth a look
http://tinyurl.com/yv4p3t
Adil sb ,
Had our nation been able to understand such things life wud have been far easier for the poor too……….we need to come up with rules for keeping a check on growing population, otherwise we will end up in a bigger mess….
AKD(Aqeel Karim Dadhy) in Karachi is famous for two things. One is Stock business other is buying finest and most most expensive janwars from Mandi and exhibit them before Eid. Visitors not only enjoy the exhibition but FREE food at lunch,tea break and dinner timings.
Holy cow! (no pun intended)
Participation of ordinary citizens in religious festivals has been declining over the years in proportion to the rising cost of living. The rich alone can now perform the costlier rituals like the Qurbani.
The path to Paradise is getting narrower for the impoverished millions who can neither go to the Holy Land nor buy a sacrificial lamb. Only God knows how the great unwashed will be adjudged on the day of reckoning when the rich present themselves with their record of Umra’s and Hajs performed and the shapes and sizes of the animals they sacrificed for themselves and their loved ones.