QURBAANI (3)
by Al-Jamiat Publications

VIRTUES OF SACRIFICE

Hazrat Jaber (Radhiallahu-Anhu) reports, "We were accustomed not to eat the meat of our sacrificed camels beyond three days." Then Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) gave us permission (to do so) and asked us to eat and preserve. So we ate and preserved (beyond three days).

It is related by Hazrat Aayesha (Radhiallahu-Anha) that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said, 'There is nothing dearer to Allah Ta'ala during the days of sacrifice than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the day of Qiyamah with its horns, hair and hooves (to be weighed in sawaab). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah Ta'ala before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart."

Hazrat Zaid ibn Arqam (Radhiallahu-Anhu) related that the companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) asked, "O Rasulullah, what is sacrifice?" He replied, "it is the Sunnah of your father Ibraheem". They asked again, "What benefit do we get from it?" he answered, "A reward for every hair of the sacrificed animal." And what reward is there for animals with wool?" they asked. "A reward," he said, 'for every fibre of the wool."

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has said, "the person who sacrifices with a willing heart and with the niyyat of reward, then on the day of judgement that sacrifice will shield him from the fires of hell."

Therefore by performing sacrifice every year a Muslim is abundantly rewarded and drawn closer to Allah Ta'ala. Since this sacrificial devotion can be offered on only three days of the year, this opportunity given by Allah Ta'ala must not be missed by any Muslim on whom sacrifice is waajib.

These more blessed with wealth should make optional (nafl) sacrifice for the sake of reward for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam), his Ummah, the Ambiyaa and for their own living or deceased parents and forebears. Permission for the waajib sacrifice of a living person is necessary. For nafl sacrifice this consent is not required.

ON WHOM IS SACRIFICE WAAJIB?

Sacrifice during the days of Eid-ul-Adha is waajib (compulsory) on all Muslims (male and female) who own wealth to the value of the Zakaat Nisaab on these days of sacrifice (10th, 11th and 12th Dhul Hijjah). The Nisaab value is the price of 19,68 troy ounces of gold or 612,3 grams of silver. Whoever possesses this amount of wealth during this period should make the sacrifice.

Sacrifice is not obligatory upon those who are not in possession of this amount of wealth (i.e. the Nisaab value of Zakaat). However, even if sacrifice is not waajib upon one, an effort should be made to make this great offering so that one may gain the tremendous amount of rewards which the ibaadat of sacrifice carries. After all, everyone makes effort to secure unnecessary luxuries even if these cannot be afforded. But, an extremely lethargic attitude is adopted nowadays towards this noble sacrifice which is indeed of great significance. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said that a hasanah (good deed) is recorded for every strand of wool or hair on the body of the sacrificed animal. A Muslim when hearing this promise of Rasuluilah (Sallallaahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) should reflect about this tremendous amount of reward to be obtained so easily and so cheaply. In our day in view of our neglect of the Deen and the extreme weakness of our ibaadat, we should not forgo such a wonderful opportunity to secure such colossal reward so easily. Who knows if one will be alive the following year to participate in this great act of ibaadat fixed by Allah Ta'ala in commemoration of the supreme sacrifice of Hadhrat Ismaeel (Alayhis Salaam)!

Source:  Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)