34. Fill up the blank:

"It is neither ............... nor................ that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them (cattle) subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you."

Answer: blood & meat (flesh).

ﺑِﺴْـــــــﻢِﷲِﺍﻟﺮَّﺣْﻤَﻦِﺍلرَّﺣِﻴﻢ

Allah says, "And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies. (22: 34). One such ceremony during Hajj is the sacrifice of an animal. Giving qurbani or Udhiya is a kind of Ibadha or act of worship that make us to be closer to Allah. And Allah سبحانه وتعالىٰ   commanded Muslims to " ....……….perform properly the Hajj and 'Umrah  for Allah." (2:196).

Qurbani is an act to commemorate lbrahim's (AS) action of submitting and sacrificing to Allah along with his only son Ismail (AS). Allah says in Quran, “And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (37:107).

It is related from Ayesha (RA) that Rasulullah (ﷺ) has 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 Qiyamah with its horns, hair & hooves (to be weighed in Sawaab). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore, sacrifice with an open and happy heart.’' (Tirmizi, IbnMajah). This hadhees gives the purpose of Qurbani.

Dating back to Adam's sons, animal sacrifice was found to be an essential part of religion. Allah has mentioned in Quran like this: "Indeed, Allah only accepts the sacrifice from the righteous [who fear Him].” (5:27).  During the time of Jahiliyyah, that is before the Prophetﷺ) ) and Islam or during the period of ignorance  when they offered sacrifices to their gods, people would put some of the meat of their sacrifices on their idols, and sprinkle the blood over the walls of Kabah.

So Allah says: "It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah." (22:37). Allah does not need anything from His Creations than their submission and piety. Allah expect sincerity and taqwa from His Servant during a person sacrifices an animal in Allah's name. He expect to be grateful and to Glorify Him for showing us the straight path.

Allah mentions about sacrificing animal in Quran:

" We have made them subject to you that you may glorify Allah for His Guidance to you" (22:37). "In them (cattle offered for sacrifice) are benefits for you for an appointed term, and afterwards they are brought for sacrifice unto the ancient House (the Kabah).” (22:33). "The Budn (cows, oxen, or camels driven to be offered as sacrifices by the pilgrims at the sanctuary of Makka), We have made for you as among the Symbols of Allah, therein you have much good." (22:36) Allah says not to harm these animals till they are sacrificed: " O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval.” (5:2).

The animal for sacrifice must be of appropriate age and healthy:

The animals permissible for sacrifice are five-year-old camel, two-year-old cattle, one-year goat and six- months sheep. Cattle and camel can be sacrificed for seven people. Goats, sheep, ram consists of one part per animal. The animal that has a leg deficiency by which it is unable to walk, has a tail that is cut off more than half or has lost horns from the root, blind, weak, lean or if it has less than half its teeth, cannot be used for sacrifice. It must be well fed, fat and healthy.

Is Qurbani compelled for those who are not performing Hajj? It is not obligatory to all but it is highly recommended for those who are eligible to pay Zakat (those who comes under Nisab). Those who are intending to make Qurbani, preferably should not cut their hair and nails from the time of the Dhul Hijjah moon sighting till Qurbani.

When to give Qurbani:

But those who are performing Hajj must sacrifice animal according to their capacity. "........whosoever performs the 'Umrah in the months of Hajj, before (performing) the Hajj, (Hajj- at- Tamattu' & Al-Qiran), he must slaughter a Hady such as he can afford" (2:196). Even if they are prevented from performing Hajj or Umra (as in case during Hudhaibiya treaty) they have to sacrifice an animal and shave or cut their hair. "If you are prevented (from completing Hajj & 'Umrah them), sacrifice a Hady (animal, i.e. a sheep, a cow, or a camel, etc.) such as you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice." (2:196). If one does not get an animal for sacrifice during Hajj he has to fast for three days during Hajj and seven days after reaching to their place. ".....but if he cannot afford it, he should observe fast three days during the Hajj and seven days after his return (to his home), mak- ing ten days in all. This is for him whose family is not present at Al-Masjid -al-Haram. And fear Allah much and know that Allah is Severe in punishment.(2:196).

For those who are not in pilgrimage, the best date for Qurbani is the 10th of Dhul Hijja, then 11th, and then the 12th before sunset. It must only be performed after Eid Salah.

Narrated By Jundab bin Sufyan Al-Bajali : I witnessed the Prophet ﷺ) ) on the Day of Nahr/Eid-ul- Adah. He said, "Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before offering the Eid prayer, should slaughter another sacrifice in its place; and whoever has not slaughtered their sacrifice yet, should slaughter now."

How to give qurbani:

Allah says: "........mention the Name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice). (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, Wallahu- Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed there with the poor who have a very hard time.  (22:28).  ".....mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food. And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (Allah), so you must submit to Him Alone. And give glad tidings to those who obey and humble themselves." (22:34).

So remember Him at the time of slaughter, for He is the Creator and Provider. Glorify Him for guiding us in His religion & in His way which He loves and pleased with. Allah also says in Surah Al-Kauther, "Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)". (108:2) O Muslims say, "My salah, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Alamin." (6:162).

                                                         لحمدلله