Qurbani is a special favor from Allah Rabbul Alamin. Because the servant can be close to Allah through sacrifice. The word Qurban is derived from the word Kurbun. That is, to be near, to gain proximity. Since the means of gaining nearness to Allah is Qurbani, it is called the Eid of Qurbani. Eid is celebrated on this day, that’s why it is called Eid of Qurbani. Another name of this Eid is Eid-ul-Adha. The Arabic word Adwa means sacrificial animal, since sacrificial animals are sacrificed on this day, it is called Eid-ul-Adwa. There are some special conditions and rules for this sacrifice that Muslims should follow in this article.
The condition of the Qurbani being pure
There are two important conditions for the purity of Qurbani. Without any one of them, there will be no sacrifice. Because Qurbani is not the name of a public worship. Rather it is only for Allah. It is proved from the instructions of the Qur’an and Hadith that no good deed is accepted by Allah Ta’ala until then; As long as two conditions are met. In this case, sacrifice is not an exception to the two commands. The two conditions are-
- First of all: Ikhlas is necessary for sacrifice
Qurbani should be done according to the instructions of Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger. His partner cannot be set up in any worship including this sacrifice. It is only then that all prayers including his sacrifice can be expected to be accepted. Allah Ta’ala says, ‘Whoever desires to meet his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord. (Surah Kahf: verse 110)
- Second: To be according to the guidance of Quran-Sunnah
Qurbani should be done according to the instructions of Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger. His partner cannot be set up in any worship including this sacrifice. It is only then that all prayers including his sacrifice can be expected to be accepted. Allah Ta’ala says, ‘Whoever desires to meet his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord. (Surah Kahf: verse 110)
Rules of Qurbani
- Can be specified by facial expressions. Thus it can be said that – ‘This animal is designated for my sacrifice.’ But it cannot be designated for the future. Saying that – ‘I will keep this animal for sacrifice.’
- Can be specified by work. For example, buying animals for sacrifice or slaughtering animals for sacrifice. Certain factors come into play when the animal is specified for sacrifice. And that’s-
- This animal cannot be used for any purpose other than sacrifice. Cannot be donated. Cannot be sold. But it can be replaced by a better animal to perform the Qurbani better.
- If the owner of the animal dies, it is the responsibility of his heirs to perform this Qurbani.
- No benefit can be enjoyed from this animal. For example, the milk of the sacrificial animal cannot be sold. Cannot be used in agriculture. Cannot be used as a ride. Fur cannot be sold. If the fur is separated, it must be given as charity or can be used for one’s own purposes but cannot be sold.
- If the sacrificial animal becomes defective, stolen or lost due to negligence or carelessness of the sacrificer, it is the duty of the sacrificer to purchase a similar or better animal. And if the fault is unintentional and not due to negligence or carelessness, then the fault animal can be sacrificed.
- If the animal is lost or stolen and the Qurbani was already obligatory on the sacrificer, then he is exempted from the obligation of Qurbani.
- And if Qurbani was not obligatory before but he bought the animal for the purpose of Qurbani, then if it is stolen or dead or lost, he has to buy the animal again and perform Qurbani.
It is the sole responsibility and duty of every believing Muslim to perform Qurbani according to the mentioned conditions and rules.
Other conditions are important for Qurbani
There are specific animals for sacrifice. However, Islam has many guidelines regarding the age of these animals and how many people can participate in one animal. And that’s-
- Sacrificial animal
Sacrifice must be done by an animal as prescribed by Islamic law. They are – Camel, Cow, Buffalo, Goat, Sheep and Dumba. These are called in the language of the Qur’an “Bahimatul An’am.” It is said in the hadith – “You must sacrifice animals of a certain age.” But if it is difficult for you, you can sacrifice a lamb of six months.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam did not sacrifice any animal other than camels, cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep and goats and did not ask them to sacrifice. So Qurbani should be done only with these.
According to Imam Malik Rahmatullahi Alayhi, the best animal for Qurbani is the black-and-white dumba with horns. Because it is narrated by Bukhari and Muslim that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam sacrificed this kind of dumba.
Camel, cow and buffalo can be sacrificed in seven parts. It is mentioned in the hadith – ‘We were with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in Hudaybiyyah. Then we offered sacrifices on behalf of seven people by camels and cows.’
It is better from the qualitative point of view – the sacrificial animal should be hearty, full of meat, perfect, beautiful in appearance.
- The age of the sacrificial animal
The sacrificial animal must be of full age. According to Islamic law, it is important to take care of the age of the sacrificial animal. And that’s-
- Camel: Must be five years old.
- Cow-Buffalo: Must be two years old.
- Goat-Sheep-Dumba : Must be one year old.
- Full ownership
The sacrificial animal should be fully owned by the sacrificer. If this animal is a pawned animal, a borrowed animal or an animal found on the way, it will not be sacrificed.
- The animal must be free from defects
The sacrificial animal must be free from all blemish. It is mentioned in the hadith-
Sahabi Hazrat Al-Bara Ibn Azeb Radiyallahu Anhu narrates, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam stood between us and then said – Four types of animals, with which Qurbani is not permissible. The other description says it will not be fulfilled. (and that)-
- Blind, whose blindness is obvious.
- Diseased, whose disease is obvious.
- Crippled, whose lameness is obvious and
- Injured, having a broken limb. Nasa’i’s description mentions ‘insane’ instead of ‘wounded’.
- Qurbani will be Makruh
Again, there are many defects in the animal, if it is present, the sacrifice will be performed, but it will be makruh. It is better not to sacrifice these defective animals. And that’s-
- Broken horns of animals.
- Cut the ears.
- Cut the tail.
- Olan cut or Linga cut etc.
Sacrifice prayer
After laying the sacrificial animal facing the Qibla, recite the following prayer: ‘Inni waz jahtu waz hia lillaji fataras samawati wal arda hanifaw wama ana minal mushrikeen. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahiya wa mamati lillahi rabibal alamin. La sharika lahu wa bijaliqa umirtu wa ana minal muslimin. Allahumma Minka Walaka.’ (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2795)
After reciting this dua, say ‘Bismillahi Allahu Akbar’ and slaughter the animal. After slaughtering the animal, recite the following supplication—’Allahumma Takabbalhu Minni Kama Takabbalta Min Habibika Muhammad wa Khalilika Ibrahim Alaihimas Salatu Was Salam.’ If more than one person sacrifices together, he recites ‘Minna’ instead of ‘Minni’ and recites the names of the partners. However, their names will only be determined.
Conclusion
Qurbani is a decree of Allah Ta’ala. There was a system of sacrifice in the era of every prophet from Adam alaihis salam. Since it was prescribed in the age of every Prophet, its importance is immense. Those of us who are able to sacrifice, let us all sacrifice in the way of Allah, and may Allah grant all Muslim servants the ability to sacrifice. In the article we have tried to give an idea about the terms and conditions of sacrifice. Hope you like the article. Thank you.
