Qurbani (sacrifice) is an ancient worship which has been in practice in
all the Ummahs since forever as it is mentioned in Glorious Quran:
And for every nation We have appointed a sacrifice; that they should
mention the name of Allah over the mute animals which He has provided them.
(Part 17, Surah Al-Hajj, Ayah 34)
Apart from this brief description, if we study history in depth, it is
revealed that all the Divine religions speak about Qurbani; furthermore, with
the exception of a few, it is also mentioned in almost all the non-Divine
religions. In addition to the commandment of Qurbani given to each Ummah, the Glorious
Quran has also mentioned Qurbani while describing details of the different
Ummahs.
Regarding the incident of Haabeel and Qaabeel, taken place in the times
of Sayyiduna Aadam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, it is stated in Glorious
Quran:
And recite to them the true story of the two sons of Aadam; when both
of them offered separate sacrifices, so the sacrifice of one was accepted and
the other one’s was not accepted.
(Part 6, Surah Al-Ma`idah, Ayah 27)
The present bible states about the Qurbani. Arranging and managing the
whole process of Qurbani was one of the important responsibilities of their
scholars and it was popular and well-known to such an extent that they had also
placed this very condition even for embracing Islam. The Glorious Quran has
stated their quote:
Those who say, ‘Allah has made us promise, that we should not believe
in any Messenger until he brings an order of a sacrifice, which a fire (from
heaven) shall consume.’
(Part 4, Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, Ayah 183)
Deen-e-Ibraheemi is the origin of Deen-e-Islam. In Deen-e-Ibraheemi,
when Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام was commanded to
make an announcement of Hajj, at the same time the virtues of Qurbani of Hajj
and its advantages and benefits were also stated:
And publicly announce Hajj amongst the
people, they will come to you on foot and on every skinny she-camel, coming
from every far distant path. In order that they may gain their benefit, and
mention the name of Allah on the known days because He has provided for them
the mute animals, so eat from them yourself and feed the distressed destitute.
(Part 17, Surah Al-Hajj, Ayah 27-28)
Deen-e-Islam is the continuation of the same Deen-e-Ibraheemi, so, the
orders of Qurbani are quite obvious in it. Each and every Muslim child is well
aware of Hajj especially the Qurbani of Eid-ul-Adha. There are 5 kinds of
Qurbani in Deen-e-Islam:
1 First one, the
Qurbani that has been mentioned in Hajj rites and is called “Hadyun” [ہدی]. As
given in Surah Al-Ma`idah, Ayah 97, part 7.
2 Second one, the
Qurbani that is Wajib on the one performing Hajj Tamattu’[1] or
Hajj Qiraan as mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 196, part 2.
3 The third one is
performed as expiation. For example Ihsaar or Janayat. It is mentioned in Surah
Al-Baqarah, Ayah 196, part 2.
4 Fourth one, at
the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha which is performed in the memory of the blessed
Qurbani of Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام. It is
mentioned in Surah Al-Kawsar.
5 The fifth type is
‘Aqeeqah’. It is performed on the occasion of a child’s birth as an indication
of happiness and gratitude to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. It is
proven by blessed Ahadees.
A basic wisdom behind Qurbani is to spend wealth for the pleasure of
Allah Almighty. It is for the reason, Qurbani holds a great importance and
dignity in Islam. Furthermore, Allah Almighty has even declared it ‘شَعائر
اللّٰہ’ i.e., ‘signs of Allah Almighty’. It is stated in the Glorious
Quran:
And the large sacrificial animals; We have made them amongst the
symbols of Allah for you. (Part 17, Surah Al-Hajj,
Ayah 36)
Wisdom behind
Qurbani
Qurbani carries much wisdom. Firstly, the basic meaning of Islam is to
have a complete submission to the Divine command which the Qurbani actually
demands. Secondly it involves eating and feeding the destitute and this wisdom
is mentioned in Glorious Quran:
So eat from it yourself and feed the one who patiently awaits and the
beggar.
(Part 17, Surah Al-Hajj, Ayah 36)
Thirdly, through Qurbani, the excellent food, ‘meat’, reaches the poor
and the destitute which they usually cannot buy. Fourthly, Qurbani expresses
the rewards and favours bestowed upon Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَـلَيْـهِ
الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّلَام and it encourages people to show obedience.
Fifthly, through Qurbani the people are made to believe firmly that all
the acts of worship are [performed] exclusively for Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. The
polytheists of Arab associated the idols in physical and monetary acts of
worship with Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ in a way that
they would reserve a share for them in farming, performing Sajdah and making
Du’a, and would perform Qurbani in the name of idols. As Islam is a Deen-e-Tawheed
(religion of monotheism), so, each and every act of worship has been declared
[to be performed] specifically for Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ:
And those people (of the Book) were ordered to worship Allah only,
believing solely in Him, being on one side purely (i.e. towards Islam).(Part 30, Surah Al-Bayyinah,
Ayah 5)
It is for the reason, Salah, Sajdah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj and all forms of
worship are [performed] for Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ alone.
An objection to
the Qurbani and its answer
Some people comment in this way that the act of Qurbani kills the
animal and wastes money. This amount should be spent for any national cause or
be given to the poor. Here is an answer:
First thing is that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ knows
this benefit and loss better than us rather He عَزَّوَجَلَّ has
commanded us to do so, therefore, the blessed commandment of ‘عالم الغیب
والشھادۃ’ is most honourable to us. Second thing is that distributing
meat of sacrificial animal amongst the poor has been declared a Mustahab act by
Shari’ah. So, through this noble act, not only is the very basic need of the
poor met but the Divine command is also acted upon.
Third thing is that Wajib Qurbani should be performed according to
Shari’ah whereas people can distribute amount of money in place of Nafli Qurbani
if they want. No one has ever given any statement or remark such as ‘no poor
person should be given even a rupee other than Wajib Qurbani’. Fourth thing
is that instead of criticising and raising objections, they should spend
billions of rupees for the poor which are invested in making dramas, movies and
other such futile and luxurious activities.
In short! The truth is that the poor can be helped through so many
other ways but those who are disgusted with religion do not see other things.
They become worried about the poor only when it comes to the occasion of
Qurbani.
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