Qurbani without Hajj
Now that nearly 8 million animals – some costing a million and more – have
been sacrificed in Pakistan, I wonder why the Qurbani at that scale is not
performed in most other Muslim countries, in some not at all. Of course
during Hajj it is a must but is it also mandatory (Farz, Wajab) for the
Muslims at places other than Hajj? I think not, because we all call
it a Sunnat e Ibrahimi. A sunnat. And a sunnat is a sunnat and not a farz.
Somehow, this practice is observed in abundance in the Indo-Pak sub
continent and its very few neighbouring countries only and by the
Muslims of these parts now residing in the USA and Europe etc. In
some countries only the Head of the State is known to offer this sacrifice on
behalf of all its subjects. To my mind the Indo-Pak Muslims are more influenced
by the Hadeeths like quoted below which however do not find any reference in
Qura’n:
The beloved and blessed Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,
"On the day of Eid al-Adha, no other good deed of man is dearer to
Allah than shedding blood (of sacrificial animal). On the Day of Judgement, the
sacrificed animal will come with its horns, hair and hooves. Allah accepts the
sacrifice before the blood of the sacrificed animal reaches the ground.
Therefore, perform sacrifice whole-heartedly." [Tirmidhi, Vol. 3,
Page 162, Hadith 1498]
Hadrat Sayyiduna Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi (Alayhir Rahmah) says,
"Qurbani (sacrifice) will be placed onto the pan of the good deeds of
its performer, increasing the weight of his good deeds." [Ash'at
al-Lam'aat, Vol. 1, Page 654]
Hadrat Mulla Ali Qari (Alayhir Rahmah) says,
"Then, for its performer, the sacrifice will serve as a conveyance
whereby he would pass the bridge of Siraat easily. Further, every organ
of the sacrificed animal will be Fidyah (expiation) for every organ of its
owner." [Mirqat al-Mafatih, Vol. 3, Page 574, Hadith 1470]
Could the sacrifice mentioned in Qura’n not mean giving away liberally (parting
away in the name of Allah with what you hold dear) for the welfare of the
poor, say; to the Orphanages, Hospitals (Cancer, Hepatitis C, TB, Eye cornea
transplant etc. etc), Schools and Education, Setting up Communes / Industries
for the poor to ameliorate their lot? Why not sacrifice a normal goat of
say Rs. 15,000/= or so and give away the remaining balance of the thousands and
hundreds of thousands that the we spend on exotic and out of the ordinary
bulls, cows, goats and camles to the charity?
Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
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