Do Not Create Commotion During Qurbani

A Story and a Miracle

Do not create a commotion

Arshad Aslam ‘Attari Madani

The qurbani took place at the house of Khubayb and Suhayb today. Later, they accompanied Grandad to his friend's house to give him some meat. “Grandad, next Eid we will slaughter a camel,” said Suhayb, “I haven't seen any camels being slaughtered yet.”

On their way back, Suhayb spotted a camel. “Look grandad, look over there!” he exclaimed. “A camel is being slaughtered, let’s go there.” Grandad explained, “When a cow or camel is slaughtered, it is not good to create a commotion next to it.” Khubayb asked, “What happens due to creating a commotion?”

Grandad said, “I will explain these things when we get home.” Suhayb was still excited and eager to see the camel, but Khubayb quickly reminded him not to make a racket.

They had only reached the front door when Khubayb cried out, “Please tell me now! What happens when we cause a commotion?”

“Well, the animal becomes frightened, that’s for one,” explained Grandad. “It might even try to run away, kicking anyone that comes in its way. That’s very dangerous.”

“Yes, Grandad! They mentioned it on T.V. the other day that a child died after being hit by a cow,” said Suhayb.

“Your friend Owais has come; he is calling you outside,” said Umm Habiba to Suhayb.

“Tell Owais to come inside; we are listening to Grandad.”

As soon as Owais entered, he blurted to Suhayb, “Do you know that the camel kicked the butcher and made him fall to the ground, and it was even trying to escape.”

“What happened then?” Suhayb asked in astonishment.

“I don't know; I quickly ran here,” replied Owais.

Khubayb looked towards Suhayb and remarked, “It was a good thing that we did not go. This is why they say that it is beneficial to accept the words of your elders.”

Grandad looked at the children. “Let me share a miracle of our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم with you,” he announced. “Our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would perform the sacrifice with his own hands. On one such occasion, five or six camels were presented for slaughter in the court of our beloved Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Look! Every living thing runs away from the knife because life is dear to everyone. But that was not the case here; when the camels saw that our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was going to carry out the slaughter, they came forward to be slaughtered. Think of it like this! Every camel wished to be slaughtered by our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم first.”^[1]

“Grandad! This was a miracle of our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, as today, two, three, or even more people are needed to slaughter an animal,” said Khubayb. “Yes, you are right,” said Grandad.