Wares Ali Khan :
The holy Eid-ul-Azha comes back every year with the manifestation of the glory of sacrifice, attainment of nearness to the Almighty Allah, and the cause for heavenly prosperity. Marking this biggest festival, the able-bodied Muslims offer sacrificial animals in the name of Allah the Exalted in a way prescribed by the Islamic Shariah to attain Allah’s pleasance and nearness.
The orientation of sacrifice, which started from the forefather Adam (As), is to rise above all kinds of imperfection, lame reasoning, and human intellect and surrender completely to the supreme commandments of Allah (SWT). As an example of absolute obedience to Allah the Almighty, Prophet Ibrahim (As) headed to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (As) in the way of Allah. Due to his great loyalty to Allah’s command, Allah accepted his sacrifice. This incident is indeed a glorious example of accomplishing unconditional obeisance to Allah’s will.
The incident has been summarized in the Holy Quran-‘O son! I found out in a dream that I am slaughtering you. What is your opinion on the matter?’ At the same time, Ismail (As) replied-‘O father, do as you are commanded, and you will find me one of the patient ones’ (Surah As-Saffat: 102). The fearful and sensitive state of obeying the command of Allah the Exalted amid both father and son and their sincere preparations for the execution of Qurbani was authentic and immediately accepted by Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) said-‘And we have included the sacrificial animals among the signs of Allah for you. Therein is good for you’ (Surah Al-Hajj: 36). Our great Prophet (PBUH) said- ‘Whoever makes a sacrifice with a cheerful heart, there will be a barrier between him and Hell on the Day of Resurrection (As-Sunanul Kubra Lil-Bayhaqi). Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) himself performed Qurbani every year in Madina and his companions also executed it on regular basis. Since then, it had continued among the able-bodied Muslims as a basic and obligate part of Ibadat.
One of the things to be very conscientious about the Qurbani is – it will be for the exclusive purpose of gaining the pleasure of Allah through halal and legal means. Qurbani must be performed only with the utmost interest of the mind, in obedience to the dictation of Allah, to follow a provision of the Islamic commandment. The important precept of Qurbani connotes the downright surrender to Allah and the prostration without question in front of all the commands of Allah (SWT). Allah the Almighty tells-‘Surely the flesh and blood of the sacrificial animals do not reach Allah but your Taqwa (sincerity) reaches Him’ (Surah Al-Hajj: 37).
Sacrifice is not only a customary religious ritual for Muslims but also a constitutional practice of casting a sacred life. Before placing a knife on the neck of the sacrificial animal, one has to approach a knife on the neck of the animalism hidden among oneself. One is to surrender and sacrifice unconditionally in the court of Almighty Allah. Here a devout Muslim makes the declaration-‘My prayers, my sacrifices, my life, my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the universe’ (Surah Al-An’am: 162).
Through sacrifice, the respective Muslim will have to take a new oath and swear that he will give his life and property in the way of Allah against all kinds of unjust, oppression, and tyranny and this commitment is the intended success of a believer. Henceforth, we hope the sacrifice we make will be accepted by Allah, the Most Benevolent, and the Most Merciful.
There are also diverse people in this country who, after the sacrifice, store the total meat in the refrigerator and meet the need for meat all year round! It may be permissible in the eye of the law, but there is also a concept named humanity. The Hadith Sharif also justifies that we should eat the meat of the sacrificial animal on Eid day and in the days yet to come, and distribute it among the poor and needy ones. Through the arrangement of Qurbani, the poor & destitute neighbors are also entertained.
Moreover, Qurbani creates a cycle of money flow between the rich and the poor. Here the eligible and rich section can take part in the production process of marginalized people and thus come forward to construct a balanced society. By purchasing sacrificial animals they also can contribute the means of helping their fellow Muslim brothers in terms of monetary transactions.
Needless to say that the impact of the ongoing shrinking economy, soaring up of daily commodity prices, and the anticipated boom in the fourth wave of Covid-19 including the recently carried multifaceted impacts of the floods have made many of us anxious enough to celebrate the upcoming Eid joyfully. Happiness is unavoidable in life. Beyond the prevailing shock, quandary, and negativity, May the ensuing Eid be the grand occasion for uninterrupted happiness, heartfelt joy, and social congregation for all Muslims.
(Mr. Khan is a teaching professional)
