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Questions & Answers
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What is Qurbani / Udhiyyah?
The Prophet was asked "What is Qurbani?". He answered,
"It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (AS), for every hair of the Qurbani you will
receive a reward from Allah and for every hair in the
wool you will receive a reward" (Ibn Majah and Tirmidhi)
Qurbani / Udhiyyah is one of the fundamental rituals of Islam performed on the occasion of 'Eid ul-Adha, and is prescribed not only for the pilgrims performing Hajj, but
for all able Muslims. Although the practice of Udhiyyah began in the time of Prophet Adam (AS), particular significance is brought to the practice through a specific act of Prophet Ibrahim.
According to Islamic belief, the dreams of the prophets are regarded as revelations from Allah. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) dreamt that Allah commanded him to sacrifice his only
son, Prophet Ismail, a child who was a blessing to him in his old age by Allah. Prophet Ibrahim told his son of the dream; thus, Ismail entrusted himself to Allah, and
agreed to be sacrificed by his father. Because of their true belief, humility and devotion, Allah stopped Ibrahim from slaying his beloved son, and sent a ram to be
slaughtered in Ismail's place.
This tradition of sacrifice for the sake of Allah continues even today. On the occasion of 'Eid ul-Adha, faithful Muslims all over the world submit to the will of Allah and sacrifice a camel, cow, goat or sheep. The meat is then divided into three equal portions: the person who performs the Qurbani retains one part, the second is given to
their friends and relatives (whether wealthy or poor), and the third portion is distributed to the poor. Because a camel or cow is enough to feed seven people, some
scholars say these are the best sacrifices, followed by sheep and goats.
Who Is Obligated to Perform the Qurbani?
Qurbani is wajib on every Muslim who is of sound mind, mature (who has reached the age of puberty), resident and possesses the amount of fifty two and half tolas of
silver (612-36 grams) or wealth equivalent to that value which is in excess of one's basic needs. It is not necessary that this amount be in one's possession for a complete
lunar year, rather it's possession during the three days of Qurbani will make Qurbani obligatory.
Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it wajib upon their guardians to perform
it on their behalf. Similarly, it is not wajib on a Shar'ee traveller.
Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it wajib upon their guardians to perform
it on their behalf. Similarly, it is not wajib on a Shar'ee traveller. It is highly virtuous for one on whom Qurbani is not wajib to offer sacrifice for the Pleasure of
Allah. He will also be eligible for all the reward mentioned in the Ahadeeth.
Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it wajib upon their guardians to perform
it on their behalf. Similarly, it is not wajib on a Shar'ee traveller. During the days of Qurbani, sadaqah and charity cannot compensate for Qurbani nor fulfil the wajib.
Qurbani is a unique ibadah. Just as Zakah cannot compensate for Hajj, or Sawm (Fasting) cannot compensate for Salaat, similarly charity cannot compensate for Qurbani.
However, if the days of Qurbani had passed, and the Qurbani was not offered due to not knowing, negligence or for some other valid reason, then it becomes wajib to give in
adaqah the price of Qurbani animal or the animal itself to the poor.
VIRTUES OF QURBANI
Qurbani is a practice commanded by Allah:
"So turn in prayer towards your Lord and sacrifice (animals)." (108.2)
Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it wajib upon their guardians to perform
it on their behalf. Similarly, it is not wajib on a Shar'ee traveller. Aishah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said,
"There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be
weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart" (Tirmidhi p. 275, Vol.1).
Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it wajib upon their guardians to perform
it on their behalf. Similarly, it is not wajib on a Shar'ee traveller. Zayd lbne Arqam(RA) relates that the Companions (RAA) asked,
"O Rasoolullah!
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalaam) What is Qurbani?" He replied, "It is the sunnah of your father lbraheem (alayhis salam)." They asked again, "What benefit do we get from it?"
He answered, "A reward for every hair (of the sacrificed animal)." "And (what reward is there for animals with) wool, 0 Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalaam)?" they
asked. "A reward", he said, "for every fibre of the wool.",(Ibne Majah)
Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it wajib upon their guardians to perform
it on their behalf. Similarly, it is not wajib on a Shar'ee traveller. When a person slaughters a Qurbani animal, he is forgiven at the fall of the first drop of blood, and
verily, the animal shall be brought forward on the Day of Judgment with its blood, meat etc, and shall be increased in weight seventy times more than its own weight, and
thereafter it will be placed on the scale of deeds. (Kanzul'Ummal)
Days of Qurbani
The days of Qurbani are the tenth, eleventh and twelfth of Zul Hijjah. The first day is better than the second, and the second better than the last.
Time for Qurbani
In towns and cities where jumu'ah and 'Eid are performed, Qurbani is not permissible before the 'Eid Salat. If the Qurbani has been offered before the 'Eid Salat, it will
have to be repeated. Therefore, the time for Qurbani commences after 'Eid Salat on 1Oth Zul Hijjah until before sunset of 12th Zul Hijjah.
THE QURBANI ANIMAL
It is permissible to offer in sacrifice a goat or she-goat, sheep of all kinds, cow, bull, buffalo or camel.
It is necessary that the goat is one (full) year old, whether male or female. A cow, bull or buffalo will have to be two years old, and a camel five years. .Animals that
are younger are not suitable for Qurbani. A sheep (of any kind) not less than six months old, so strong and fat that it appears to be one year old will suffice for Qurbani,
otherwise it will have to be one (full) year old.
A cow, bull, buffalo or camel will suffice for seven persons provided no one's share is less than one seventh and the niyyah (intention) of all partners is to attain reward
(for Qurbani), and not merely to obtain meat. The Qurbani of only one person can be performed from a goat, sheep or ram.
The following cannot he used for Qurbani:
- Animals that are blind, one-eyed or has lost one-third or more of its eyesight.
- Animals that have lost a third of the ear or the tail. Similarly, the animal which has no ear from its very birth.
- An Animal whose horn has been broken off from the root.
- An Animal which has one leg lame to the extent that it walks on three legs only and is unable to use the fourth leg.
- An Animal so lean and thin that its bones have no marrow.
- An Animal so weak that it cannot walk to the place of slaughtering on its own.
- An Animal completely toothless or one that has lost most of its teeth.
It is virtuous to purchase the animal for Qurbani a few days prior to slaughtering and care must be taken in feeding and nursing it.
Masnoon Method of Sacrifice
It is more virtuous to slaughter the animal with one's own hands. If one does not know how to slaughter, it is preferred that he remain present while someone else is
sacrificing the animal. It is not necessary to make the niyyah (intention) of Qurbani with the tongue, however it is necessary to say Bismillahi Allahu Akbar when
slaughtering.
- Use a sharp knife and slaughter the animal quickly so that it does not suffer.
- Do not sharpen the knife in front of the animal.
- After slaughtering, do not skin the animal before it becomes completely cold.
- Do not slaughter one animal in the presence of another.
It is mustahab (desirable) for one who intends to perform Qurbani to refrain from cutting hair or clipping nails from 1st Zul Hijjah to 10th Zul Hijjah,(i.e. until after
Qurbani).
The Qurbani Meat & Skin
- It is permissible to eat the Qurbani meat.
- It can also be distributed to relatives and friends whether wealthy or poor, Muslims or non-Muslims. It is better to divide it into three parts. One for the family,
one for relatives and friends and one for the poor and needy.
- The skin of the Qurbani animal can be kept for personal use, e.g. using it as a prayer-mat, water bag, etc.
- If the skin of the Qurbani animal is sold, then it is wajib to give that amount in sadaqah to the poor (i.e. those who are eligible for Zakah).
- It is not permissible to give meat, fat, etc. of the sacrificed animal to the butcher as his wages.
- The meat of the animal slaughtered by partners should be shared by weight and not by estimation.
- The rope, cover, etc. of the animal should be given away as sadaqah.
Hope this information is sufficiant, however if you require anymore information about this project or any other projects of Al-Khair then please email us at:
info@alkhair.org
Donate Towards Your Qurbani Now
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