We always receive questions about animal sacrifice specially around the time
of Hajj and because of what has become a tradition of celebrating Eid
Al Adha on the tenth of Zul-Hijja. The following is a question and a reply
to this matter as detailed in the Quran.
Dear Sir,
Salaam.
I know that your website has helped many people
clear their doubts and be guided by the grace of God. Anyway, I completed
one year of being a submitter, and celebrated it by commemorating God day
and night. A year ago, by the wish of God, the homepage of your website
miraculously appeared on my screen, after a search task. Since then, there's
no looking back. I would like to share my joy with submitters all over the
world, and would especially appreciate and thank Submission.org for all the
effort and faith in God Almighty. Please send me some information about the
animal sacrifice that is offered on a day called Eid Al Azha (Bakri Eid)
that many so-called Muslims celebrate. What festivals do you celebrate as a
submitter? Thanks for your
support,
A happy submitter to GOD ALONE.
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Thank you for your kind words on our site and for your prayers. You surely
know that all thanks and praise is due only to God.
Any day could be a day of festivity for a submitter. Like the way you celebrated
the first anniversary of being a submitter. (I must say you did a very good
job with your celebration, Alhamdullilah.) Different people could have different
days and different reasons for celebrations. The only thing we as submitters
to God have to be careful here is not to attribute or fabricate any falsehood
to God.
Some information on animal sacrifice:
Animal sacrifice done on the day called Eid Al Azha (Bakri Eid) that many
so-called Muslims celebrate is like many others acts an innovation falsely
attributed to God. Sacrifice is required to be done only by the pilgrims
during Hajj or if someone made an intention to do hajj but
could not do it for any reasons. There is no requirement on those not doing
Hajj to sacrifice any animal, as is traditionally done. This is an innovation.
[2:196]* You shall observe the complete rites of
Hajj and`Umrah for GOD. If you are prevented, you shall send an offering,
and do not resume cutting your hair until your offering has reached its
destination. If you are ill, or suffering a head injury (and you must cut
your hair), you shall expiate by fasting, or giving to charity, or some other
form of worship. During the normal Hajj, if you break the state of Ihraam
(sanctity) between `Umrah and Hajj, you shall expiate by offering an animal
sacrifice. If you cannot afford it, you shall fast three days during Hajj
and seven when you return home - this completes ten - provided you do not
live at the Sacred Masjid. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is strict
in enforcing retribution.
*2:196 See the details of Hajj and `Umrah in
Appendix 15.
The other reasons where animal sacrifice is in the order is when the state
of Ihraam is violated between Umrah and Hajj and when a game animal is killed
during pilgrimage.
[5:95] O you who believe, do not kill any game during
pilgrimage. Anyone who kills any game on purpose, his fine shall be a number
of livestock animals that is equivalent to the game animals he killed. The
judgment shall be set by two equitable people among you. They shall make
sure that the offerings reach the Ka`bah. Otherwise, he may expiate by feeding
poor people, or by an equivalent fast to atone for his offense. GOD has pardoned
past offenses. But if anyone returns to such an offense, GOD will avenge
it. GOD is Almighty, Avenger.
Some history from Quran on the animal sacrifice done during Hajj:
Abraham was allowed to be tested by Satan, of course by God's leave, whereby
Abraham mistook a dream from Satan to be from God.
(sub-title) Satanic Dream*
[37:102-103] When he grew enough to work with him,
he said, "My son, I see in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What do you
think?" He said, "O my father, do what you are commanded to do. You will
find me, GOD willing, patient." They both submitted, and he put his forehead
down (to sacrifice him).
*37:102 The Most Merciful never advocates evil (7:28). As with Job, Satan
claimed that Abraham loved his son too much, and was permitted to put Abraham
to that severe test.
We understand from the aforesaid verses that Abraham believed the dream
commanding him to sacrifice his son to be from God, when in fact it was from
Satan as God does not advocate evil. We also know that Abraham has been cited
in the Quran as an exemplary vanguard in submission to God alone.
[16:120] Abraham was indeed an exemplary vanguard
in his submission to GOD, a monotheist who never worshiped idols.
He is also known as God's chosen friend in 4:125. Since Abraham was a submitter
to God alone, God intervened and protected Abraham and Ismail from such a
heinous act.
[37:104] We called him: "O Abraham.
[37:105] "You have believed the dream." We thus
reward the righteous.
[37:106] That was an exacting test
indeed.
[37:107] We ransomed (Ismail) by substituting an
animal sacrifice.
[37:108] And we preserved his history for subsequent
generations.
As we see above, God willed to preserve this history of Abraham and Ismail.
It demonstrates their absolute submission to God alone. And this preservation
is done through the ritual of animal sacrifice during Hajj.
[22:36] The animal offerings are among the rites
decreed by GOD for your own good.* You shall mention GOD's name on them while
they are standing in line. Once they are offered for sacrifice, you shall
eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. This is why we subdued them
for you, that you may show your appreciation.
I hope this will be helpful, Insha Allah.
May God bless and be with you always.
info@submission.org
