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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Sacrifice? |
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| Anonymous |
| 01/08/05 at 00:41:55 |
| Can someone explain to me why muslims sacrife an animal, at Eid. I just dont understand why its done. Thanks |
| Re: Sacrifice? |
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| BrKhalid |
| 01/09/05 at 04:08:14 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]Can someone explain to me why muslims sacrife an animal, at Eid[/quote] A simple answer to the question is that it is a commemoration of the Prophet's Abraham test in respect of his son, the Prophet Ishmael, as shown in the story below: [color=Red]Allah the Almighty told us of Abraham’s affliction with his beloved son: “And he said (after his rescue from the fire): “Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me! My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.” So we gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what do you think!” He said: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha’ Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of the patient.” Then when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah) and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering); and We called out to him: “O Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!” Verily! Thus do We reward those who perform good deeds totally for Allah’s sake only. Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial – and We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (ie a ram); and We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times. “Salaamun (peace) be upon Abraham!” Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsineen (good-doers). Verily he was one of our believing slaves.” [37:89-111] [Translated excerpt from “Stories of the Prophets by Ibn Kathir] [/color] |
| Re: Sacrifice? |
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| dina |
| 01/12/05 at 03:37:53 |
| [slm] http://www.islamonline.net/English/hajj/2002/01/reflections/article10.shtml very good article about the story of sacrifice [wlm] |
| Re: Sacrifice? |
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| jannah |
| 01/12/05 at 22:32:13 |
| slm, Ok I've been wanting to write back to this one for awhile, but alas work is keeping me busy with work (fancy that!)... So I think when people, especially westerners, hear that we sacrifice an animal for eid they get all weirded out, thinking we're doing some kind of pagan thing and drinking the blood or whatever but really to appreciate this you have to visit a farm and see where our food comes from... we're used to this beautiful cellophane wrapped meat stuff...sometimes we don't even think about where it comes from... on industrial farms nowadays they mass electrocute animals, put them their heads in cones on a conveyor circle and the machine goes down and slices them, they stack animals in tiny cages thousands upon thousands on each other. everything is automated and extremely in-humane (in-animale?). islam has very strict laws about killing animals, first of all it can be only done for food, the animal has to be treated well. we are not even allowed to have other animals watch when another is killed. we have to have a sharp knife and slice quickly so the animal feels the least... now we are going to kill animals sometime during the year for food right.. so this occasion of eid we are taking this a spiritual level above and remembering the sacrifice of prophet abraham and his son and wife... in most countries they never eat meat except during this time after eid.. it is a very special occasion.. and also remember that 1/3 of the meat must go to the needy, 1/3 goes to neighbors&friends and 1/3 is what is kept it's teaching us many lessons and so this is why this is done... |
| Re: Sacrifice? |
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| Kathy |
| 01/13/05 at 08:40:14 |
| [slm] [quote] now we are going to kill animals sometime during the year for food right.. so this occasion of eid we are taking this a spiritual level above and remembering the sacrifice of prophet abraham and his son and wife... [/quote] Well put. |
| Re: Sacrifice? |
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| Anonymous |
| 01/20/05 at 18:25:47 |
| Thankyou Br Khalid for the reply. I have read in the past all that was mention in the post. I still dont understand the concept, of how muslims sacrifcing an animal commemorates prophet abraham test. I have also found the following information The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked, “What is Qurbani?” and he answered, “It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim. For every hair of the Qurbani you receive a reward from Allah.” (Related by Tirmidhi) What i need to know waht is the spirutal aspect behind it |
| Re: Sacrifice? |
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| stranger |
| 01/20/05 at 20:01:21 |
| [slm] It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify Allah for His Guidance to you and proclaim the good news to all who do right. [Qur'an: Surat al-hajj #37] There are many spiritual aspects to this physical action. Perhaps while sacrificing, one might remember that their sacrifice to allah is something which allah gave them in the first place. What would be our state if we weren't provided with these bounties that we take for granted like meat? Also, this piece of meat means nothing to us personally, but what if we were asked by allah to sacrifice something more dear to us? Like our own son? Could we honestly tell ourselves that we have the steadfastness to go through with it? What if this son were the answer to years and years of du'a, and you were barren before him? What if you were over 80 years old and had seemingly no chance to reproduce again? And yet our father Ibrahim alaihi assalam showed us the extent of his taqwa. He fulfilled allah's command and gave up what he loved most for it. Imagine giving up what you love most for allah. Perhaps it is easy for us to say we could do it but could we really do it? That is why Ibrahim was bestowed the status of khaleel of allah and was rewarded with a second son for his effort. So there are many spiritual aspects we can draw from this event, and we do it because allah in his infinite wisdom appointed this as a rite for this nation and allah subahanahu wa ta'aala says: To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice), that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food). But your god is One God: submit then your wills to Him (in Islam): and give thou the good news to those who humble themselves [Qur'an: Surat al-hajj #34] I hope this answers your question. [slm] |
| Re: Sacrifice? |
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| se7en |
| 01/29/05 at 20:07:07 |
| as salaamu alaykum, here's a good article I read about this... Sacrifice and Eid al-Adha [color=black] Say: 'Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.' Qur'an 6:162 During the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows: "Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121) And "We made him (Abraham) pure in this world and in the hereafter; he is most surely among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, 'Submit,' he said, 'I submit myself to the Lord of the Worlds.'" (Qur'an 2:130-131) One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to Allah. At the end of the pilgrimage, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha). During this celebration, Muslims commemorate and remember this incident, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith. Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred. The meat from the sacrifice of 'Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others. It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Surah Al-Hajj 22:37) The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us. [/color] |
| 01/29/05 at 20:07:49 |
| se7en |
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