spare the poor goat or lamb or cows life. The purpose of sacrifice is to understand the spirit of parting with what you hold dear (your wealth), it is not some muqabla against four-legged animals.
Please pause and think … That, after all, is what religion should make us do rather than blindly following ritual.
According to the many organizations that will perform the sacrifice for you if you live abroad, the cost of one goat/sheep is US$ 160 in the US (that is more than one month’s salary for a college educated Pakistani professional). The price in Pakistan is cheaper, but not by much. Only the well wheeled can afford it. The Poor cannot even budget for a kilo of meat a month.
Is there a better way to ‘sacrifice’ the 150-200 dollars or the Rs. 10,000 or more in the name of Allah that is useful to His bandas? A way that captures the spirit of sacrifice that qurbani entails and helps us meet our religious obligation as well as the social welfare and redistribution that is its deeper purpose?
The Qur’an reminds us that Allah looks at intent not the blood. Maybe we too should pay heed to the intent of qurbani? For those who want to sacrifice this writer instead, please read Chapter 22, Verse 37 from the Holy Qur’an (I have looked at translations by Marmaduke, Yusufali, Asad and Usmani) and they all talk about your own devotion, piety, God-consciousness and taqwa that reaches Him.
The meat from the sacrificial animal is intended to be divided into three parts: 1/3rd each for your self, family and friends, and for the needy and the poor. I would suggest we fore go our share, and give the whole amount to the poor including poor relations. Charity and alms should be given throughout the year, and many people do. But with this added emphasis around Eid ul Adha I would suggest we consider giving more to the poor including poor relations.
Allah looks at intent not the blood. What better way to celebrate this Eid?
On my last visit I saw a lot of people drive up to a certain “hotel” (Pinglish for restaurant) and pay the owner X rupees to feed X number of hungry folks lined up outside. That is a noble idea. But would it not be better better to teach them to fish?
A manual sewing machine for a widow or unemployed poor woman? Tuition Fees or books for a poor student? Some money to ease the days for the unemployed people? A small monthly stipend to the poor that may bring a ray of hope in their lives and may perhaps deter them from abandoning their children to the fogs of terrorist factories?
We can think of many ways to make Him happy and spare the lamb. May Allah bless you and your family.
Note: This is based on an earlier post published on temporal’s blog Baithak.
Within the context of Qur’an, is someone declares another as “not a Muslim”, that person is committing shirk.
The only One who knows if a person has submitted or not, is the Malik, the Khaliq.
Anyone else who seem to possess this knowledge as equated himself or herself to the Khaliq.
And while Qur’an showers mercy on all mistakes, it does not consider shirk as a mistake.
And always, on matter of faith, only Khaliq knows best.
Naan Haleem,
No he is not a ‘Muslim’. According to Quran, A Muslim is one who submits to God’s will without asking “Ifs” and “Buts” because Ifs and Buts violates the concept of “Abdiat” so just don’t assume every Pakistani a Muslim. I used to do same mistake in past and regretted.
Referring Quran to him is like referring Science Laws to a illiterate farmer, so do spare him. It’s not about having love of animal, its all about displaying hatred against the religion,the Islam which irks him all the time. Had there been order of eating vegetables only on Eid days, I am sure same kid would have been given lectures to stop eating vegetables.. So don’t feed the troll.
I have failed trying to stop my family in Karachi to slaughter goats
Meengla,Assuming you are living in the country called US. I wonder why do you hide yourself in a bin when the entire nation celebrates Thanks Giving and enjoy Turkey meal. I wonder why people like you and so called Animal Lover don’t have guts to oppose it? Who knows you would be enjoying it last year? And I am quite glad your family has not surrendered to your stupidity and ignorance and they preferred to ignore you.
We are asking for proper hygiene, proper care of animals, and proper measures to reduce the brutality witnessed by young ones.
Meengla,
Can you suggest the “proper” and “less brutal” ways to sacrifice animals?
1-Ank Maar Kay(winking)?
2-Anesthesia ?
3-Hypnotize?
4-All of the above?
5-None of the Above?
Pls share some. Also share your contributions to shut down various slaughter houses in Western countries?
@ Naan Haleem
Very informative and insightful indeed.
@ Animal Lover and Meengla
We are not deceiving Allah by eating the meat and distributing it among the poor. It is actually a fulfillment of Allah’s command revealed in Surah Al-Hajj as following:
“So that they might experience much that shall be of benefit to them, and that they might extol the name of God on the days appointed [for sacrifice], over whatever heads of cattle He may have provided for them [to this end]: eat, then, thereof, and feed the unfortunate poor.” [22:28]
And it is by Allah’s command that we are compelled to sacrifice the animal in Allah’s name only. Again Surah Al-Hajj for reference.
“And [thus it is:] unto every community [that has ever believed in Us] have We appointed [sacrifice as] an act of worship, so that they might extol the name of God over whatever heads of cattle He may have provided for them [to this end]. And (always bear in mind:) your God is the One and Only God: hence, surrender yourselves unto Him. And give thou the glad tiding [of God’s acceptance] unto all who are humble” – [22:34]
The above ayya’s clearly show that Allah has created (herbivorous) animals as a form of food but with condition that only His name must be taken when slaughtering the animal in order to reflect total submission towards Allah..
All of this discussion has been consolidated in the following verse of same Surah Al-Hajj
“And as for the sacrifice of cattle, We have ordained it for you as one of the symbols set up by God, in which there is [much] good for you. Hence, extol the name of God over them when they are lined up [for sacrifice]; and after they have fallen lifeless to the ground, eat of their flesh, and feed the poor who is contented with his lot (and does not beg), as well as him who is forced to beg. It is to this end that We have made them subservient to your needs, so that you might have cause to be grateful [22:36]
And immediately afterwards comes the ayya’ (which you and other people in denial of slaughtering quote everywhere).
“[But bear in mind:] never does their flesh reach God, and neither their blood: it is only your God-consciousness that reaches Him. It is to this end that We have made them subservient to your needs, so that you might glorify God for all the guidance with which He has graced you. And give thou this glad tiding unto the doers of good” – [22:37]
So my dear!!! Read the whole script to get the truth. Giving just a small part of one ayya in support of your argument and deliberately hiding the rest is infact manipulation of truth, rather an utter lie.
Slaughtering has not been limited to Muslims only. In Quran itself, Allah’s Command to Bani-Israel through Prophet Moses (PBUH) has been discussed in detail. They were ordered to sacrifice a cow (a creation of Allah). See Surah Al-Baqarah [2 : 67-71]
Upon animals as a form of food, see Surah Ghafr
“It is Allah who provides for you [all manner of] livestock, so that on some of them you may ride, and from some derive your food” – [40:79]
And Surah Al-Nahl
“And He creates cattle: you derive warmth from them, and [various other] uses; and from them you obtain food” – [16:5]
And finally Surah Al-Anaam:
“And of the cattle reared for work and for the sake of their flesh, eat whatever God has provided for you as sustenance, and follow not Satan’s foot-steps: behold, he is your open foe!” [6-142]
I dont know whether you are a Muslim or a Non-Muslim (including qadianis as per Law). But if you are a Muslim, then your words are clear denial of Quran. I can give numerous Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regarding this issue, but I know some people dont accept it and others find a way around by claiming that the certain hadith is unauthentic. But Quranic references cannot be denied my friend.
Please dont follow the path of Satan by misleading the readers and others. May you be enlightened by Allah’s blessings.
@ Adnan
I am out of Pakistan :-( No concept of your list of BBQ here unless with purchased meat of lamb.
Dear Meengla, thanks for a relevant link,and yes, i really admire your courage and devotion for the good cause.