Definition of Sacrifice:
Sacrifice or Qurbani is a sacred act of worship performed during the days of Eidul Adhaa. In this practice, a person offers something cherished and valuable, typically a designated animal, in the path of Allah, solely to seek His pleasure and approval. It is not merely the ritual slaughter of an animal; but an expression of deep sincerity, piety, selflessness and obedience to Allah. These inner qualities elevate the believers spiritually and strengthen their connection with Allah. A comprehensive definition of Qurbani is: “The act of seeking closeness to Allah during the prescribed days of Eidul Adhaa by slaughtering, under specific conditions, an animal from among the Bahimatul An’aam (i.e., sheep, goat, ram, cow, buffalo or camel) is called Qurbani.”
Background of Sacrifice:
The background of sacrifice is deeply linked to the great incident involving Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Aleihis Salaam) and Sayyiduna Isma'il (Aleihis Salaam). Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Aleihis Salaam) saw in a dream that Allah was commanding him to sacrifice his son Isma'il (AS) for His pleasure. This was not just an ordinary dream; it was a profound test from Allah. The Glorious Qur'an describes this event in the following words: “He (Ibrahim) said, ‘O my little son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you, so consider, what is your opinion?” (Surah As-Saffat: 102)
Sayyiduna Isma'il (Aleihis Salaam), who was destined to be honoured with the crown of prophethood in the future, demonstrated remarkable obedience and submission. He willingly and gladly prepared himself to obey Allah's command. The Glorious Qur'an describes this moment as follows: “He said, ‘O my dear father, do what you have been ordered to do. You will find me, Insha’allah, (if Allah wills) one of those who endure patiently.” (Surah As-Saffat: 102) Since a prophet's dream is a form of divine revelation, Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) accepted Allah’s command without hesitation and began preparing to sacrifice his beloved son. When he took up the knife for the sacrifice, a proclamation from the heavens announced their success in this test. Allah sent a ram from Paradise to be sacrificed in place of Isma'il (AS), who was spared. Thus, Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) passed this tremendous test, and the event of sacrifice became an everlasting and supreme example of obedience, patience, sincerity and submission to Allah’s will.
Mention of Sacrifice in the Glorious Qur’an:
Allah Ta’ala has clearly mentioned sacrifice in the Glorious Qur’an, highlighting its significance. Allah says: “It is neither their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah, but what does reach Him is the Taqwa (the sense of obedience) on your part. Thus He has made them (the animals) subjugated to you, so that you proclaim Allah’s glory for the guidance He gave you. And give good news to those who are good in their deeds.” (Surah Al-Hajj: 37) This Aayah makes it clear that the true essence of sacrifice is not the outward act of slaughtering an animal; but the inner state of the heart that is sincerity, piety, and devotion to Allah. It is the consciousness of Allah (Taqwa) and the purity of intention that elevate the act in the sight of Allah.
In the commentary of this Aayah, Mufti Muhammad Shafi (Rahimahullah) writes: “It means that the sacrifice of animals is a very high form of worship, but their meat and blood do not reach Allah Ta'ala nor are these two things the real object of sacrifice. Its real aim is to recite the name of Allah and to comply with His commands with true devotion. This rule applies to all forms of worship. For instance, the object of prayers is not just the movement of limbs, or the object of fasting is not merely a denial of food and drink. The real purpose of these rites of worship is to obey the commands of Allah Ta'ala with all sincerity. Devoid of sincerity these rites of worship are like a body without soul. Nevertheless, these forms of worship are also very important because Allah Ta'ala has prescribed these forms for different types of worship. Allah knows best.” (Ma’ariful Qur’an: 6/272)
Importance of Sacrifice in Islam:
Sacrifice is unanimously established as a legitimate act of worship in Islam based on the Glorious Qur’an and noble Sunnah. It is obligatory (Waajib) upon every Muslim who meets the financial threshold (i.e., is Saahibe Nisaab, one who possesses the minimum required wealth). Sacrifice holds a highly esteemed position in Islam; because it is a revival of the Sunnah of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS), which is performed annually during Eidul Adhaa. It is not merely the act of slaughtering an animal; but rather a practical demonstration of submitting to Allah’s command and offering something beloved solely for His pleasure. Sacrifice reflects piety, sincerity, selflessness and true love for Allah. It strengthens a believer’s faith and elevates him spiritually. Therefore, a person upon whom sacrifice is obligatory should perform it willingly and wholeheartedly, without considering it a burden. It is important to note that for sacrifice to be obligatory, it is sufficient for a person to be Sahibe Nisaab (possessing the required wealth) at the time of sacrifice. It is not necessary that a full year has passed over that wealth.
Objectives of Sacrifice:
The objectives of sacrifice are comprehensive and deeply meaningful. Among the most important goals are attaining Taqwa (piety) and seeking the pleasure of Allah. Through sacrifice, a person purifies the heart and cultivates a spirit of offering one's wealth and even life in the path of Allah. A key objective of sacrifice is also social welfare, as it provides meat to the poor and needy, ensuring their needs are considered and met. This fosters compassion and solidarity within the community. Moreover, sacrifice promotes religious awareness and revives the Sunnah of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS). This noble act teaches Muslims the values of selflessness, sincerity and unwavering obedience to Allah.
Time for Sacrifice:
Sacrifice is performed during the three days of Dhul-Hijjah that is, from the 10th to the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. Performing sacrifice during these days is a practice that follows the Sunnah of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS). For city dwellers, it is permissible to perform the sacrifice only after the Eid prayer. Therefore, if a city resident sacrifices before the Eid prayer, his sacrifice is not valid. In villages and rural areas where the Eidul Adhaa prayer is not held, people may perform the sacrifice anytime after Fajr (dawn prayer); however, the Mustahab time is after sunrise.
Types of Animals for Sacrifice:
The animals allowed for sacrifice include sheep, goats, cows, bulls, buffaloes and camels. It is necessary to observe the Shariah-mandated age and health standards for these animals to ensure that the sacrifice is accepted by Allah. The minimum age for goats and sheep is one year. However, if a sheep is less than one year old; but is sufficiently fat and appears to be one year old, its sacrifice is permissible. The minimum age for bulls, cows and buffaloes is two years. The minimum age for camels is five years. A goat or sheep is considered one share and thus its sacrifice counts only for one person. Large animals have seven shares, so up to seven people can share the sacrifice of one large animal, and it will count as the sacrifice for all seven. However, if any one of the seven intends to eat the meat only (and not for sacrifice), the entire sacrifice is invalid for all involved. All participants must have the sincere intention of performing the sacrifice for it to be valid.
Furthermore, the animal must be healthy, free from defects and complete (without any significant flaws). If the animal has any obvious physical defects, such as blindness, lameness or severe weakness, then its sacrifice is not valid. Adhering to these conditions is essential for the acceptance of the sacrifice by Allah. If we violate these rules, our sacrifice will not be accepted by Allah. These conditions ensure that the sacrifice is performed with sincerity and proper care.
Method of Distributing Qurbani Meat:
The meat from a Qurbani (sacrifice) should be divided into three parts so that its benefits can reach all segments of society. The first portion is for the person offering the sacrifice and his family, so they too may enjoy this blessing. The second portion is distributed among relatives and friends to strengthen bonds of love and kinship. The third portion is given to the poor, the needy and the underprivileged, so their needs may be met and they too can partake in the joys of Eid. The purpose of this distribution is not only to preserve the true spirit of sacrifice; but also to promote social harmony and brotherhood. If someone sends you Qurbani meat and you comment on the quantity or question the type of animal it came from, it reflects a moral weakness on your part. Meat sent by the one performing the sacrifice should be received as a gift and accepted with gratitude and joy.
Moderation and Correct Intention in Sacrifice:
Moderation and sincerity of intention are extremely important in sacrifice because this act of worship is performed purely for the sake of Allah. There should be no room for ostentation, showing off or social display in this practice. The true purpose of sacrifice is solely to seek Allah’s pleasure, not to impress others or boast. Similarly, extravagance should be avoided, and the sacrifice should be performed with simplicity, sincerity and piety. The correctness of intention is the very soul of this worship. If the intention is pure, then even a seemingly small act becomes accepted and beloved in the sight of Allah.
Wrong Attitudes and the Need for Reform:
Many people do offer sacrifices nowadays; but the true spirit, such as sincerity, piety and the desire to seek Allah's pleasure, is often lost. However, the primary objective of sacrifice is to attain these very qualities.
When we, therefore, perform the act of sacrifice, it is essential that we understand its true purpose and act accordingly. There are certain wrong attitudes and reasons due to which the real objectives of sacrifice are not achieved. We must avoid such behaviors and strive to reform them.
Some of those reasons are as follows:
Defect in Intention:
Some people treat sacrifice merely as a custom, tradition or social obligation rather than doing it purely for Allah’s pleasure. This is a defect in intention. Without the correct intention, the true purpose of sacrifice will not be fulfilled. Therefore, the intention should be solely to please Allah.
Showing Off and Ostentation:
Some people perform sacrifice to impress others or to boast, which goes against the true spirit of this worship.
Lack of Spirituality:
Sacrifice is not just a physical act; but a profound spiritual practice. If a person fails to sacrifice their own desires and does not obey Allah with patience and gratitude, then the true purpose of sacrifice is not fulfilled.
Lack of Social Service:
Neglecting the poor and needy in the distribution of sacrificial meat is also a deviation from the true purpose of sacrifice. We should follow the principles laid down by Shariah and divide the sacrificial meat into three parts as we have mentioned above.
Practical Message of Qurbani (Sacrifice):
Qurbani is not merely a ceremonial ritual; rather, it embodies a profound spiritual, moral and social message. Its fundamental purpose is to cultivate within individuals the virtues of selflessness, sincerity, patience, gratitude and the readiness to relinquish personal desires for the sake of attaining Allah’s pleasure. Qurbani serves as a reminder that true faith and servitude consist in placing Allah’s will above one’s own inclinations in all facets of life. The exemplary sacrifice made by Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) stands not only as a historic event; but also as a timeless model of obedience, divine love and utmost sincerity. His act demonstrates that in fulfilling Allah’s commands, one must be willing to sacrifice even that which is dearest to the heart. This spirit constitutes the essence of Qurbani in Islamic teachings. The institution of Qurbani in Islam aims to revive this noble spirit and to inspire the Muslim Ummah to perform this duty with utmost sincerity, seeking solely the pleasure of Allah, devoid of any desire for ostentation or showmanship. The acceptance of this sacrifice is contingent upon adhering to the method prescribed by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). Hence, Qurbani not only facilitates spiritual elevation; but also promotes social cohesion, equality and compassion, thereby contributing to the formation of a more just and purposeful Islamic society. ••••