For years, India has flourished as a progressive nation with multi-cultural and multi-religious acceptance in our well-knit society . Ours is the only country in the world which celebrates all religions. We are the worlds largest diversity . However due to certain section of society which fuels hatred, we must defeat them as Indians. This eidit is all the more imperative that we Muslims take this opportunity of Eid ulazha to foster relations of love and brotherhood with all their Hindu neighbors. The Prophet also taught us that the best way to increase love and brotherhood amongst ourselves is to share gifts, presents and to say Salaam (Peace) to each other. We muslims must do Minimum amount of animals sacrifices ( which are legally approved ) to curtail jealousy, envy and hatred . More people can take qurbani shares and try to support orphanages , special needs and old-age homes.
Now What is Qurbani And why is it important : Every year as the Hajj pilgrimage concludes, Muslims will arrange for the sacrifice of an animal to mark the celebration of Eid al-Adha. Qurbani, also referred to as Udhiyya in Arabic, means sacrifice and is an important rite in the Islamic religion. It is a tradition packed with symbolism and mandatory for every believer who can afford to do so. While many critics of the religion have condemned the practice, for Muslims the act represents an absolute commitment to God and also an opportunity for charity, as a significant portion of the meat from slaughtered animals is designated for distribution among the poor.
Why do Muslims sacrifice livestock? The sacrifice of livestock, including sheep, goats and cows, during Eid al-Adha commemorates a story mentioned in the Quran, in which the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham in the biblical tradition) was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail. For Muslims, the commandment was an ultimate test of faith and of obedience to God, which ended with the angel Gabriel replacing Ismail with a ram at the last moment. The story is commemorated by Muslims in the form of the Qurbani, which is obligatory for every Muslim who can afford to do it.Muslims believe that the tradition is a “sunnah” practice, which means it was first initiated by the Prophet Muhammed himself. In Islam, there are specific guidelines on the practice of sacrificing animals, ensuring that it is done in an ethical and controlled manner.The rules cover the species of the animal, the quality of its life and how it is killed, ensuring that it does not suffer for a long period of time and is done in accordance with halal regulations. According to most Islamic schools of thought, the act of qurbani is compulsory, whereas for others, it is strongly recommended, though not mandatory. Regardless, for all Muslims, the act carries with it great spiritual significance and is considered a blessing.
Eid-Ul-Adha is not about shedding blood to please god, it is about giving up something you hold dear in devotion to god. ‘While many critics of the religion have condemned the practice, for Muslims the act represents an absolute commitment to God and also an opportunity for charity, as a significant portion of the meat from slaughtered animals is designated for distribution among the poor.’
What does Qurbani mean? The word qurbani derives from the Arabic word “qurban”, which has its roots in the word “qurb”, meaning “closeness”. Muslims therefore believe that the act of sacrifice is something that helps them grow closer to God and strengthens their faith. The Prophet Ibrahim’s commitment to his task also represents the idea of absolute submission to God’s will; a theme that reoccurs throughout the Quran. Ahead of Bakrid 2022 (festival of Qurbani), Maulana Khalid Rashid has issued an advisory He has asked people to celebrate the festival under the ambit of lawThemaulana has asked people not to share videos, photos of sacrifices on social media, Maulana Khalid Rashid has issued an advisory regarding the sacrifices of the animals asking people to sacrifice only those animals who are legally allowed. He also asked people not to share videos, photos of sacrifices on social media.
Advisory by Maulana Khalid Rashid for people celebrating Eid al-Adha 2022 (Bakrid):
● Only those animals should be sacrificed who are legally allowed.
● Don’t perform sacrifices on roads, open areas, or public places.
Keep in mind to maintain cleanliness.
● Don’t take any photos, videos or to share them on social media.
● Perform sacrifices within the ambit of the law.
● Don’t spill leftovers, remains of animals on roads, in public places.
● Don’t drain the remains of animals, or blood in sewage as it’s not healthy.
● Try to burry remains under the soil.
● Distribute, and donate 1/3 portion among needy ones, poor people.
● In Islamic tradition, the act of submission is not just about adhering to a specific rule but about entrusting a person’s fate to God.
(The author is a research scholar at Kashmir University. Views are his own)
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