“Despite the profound spiritual significance of Eid-ul-Adha, inflation has made purchasing sacrificial animals increasingly difficult, overshadowing the ease of performing Qurbani.”
Eid-ul-Adha is one of the most sacred and spiritually significant occasions for Muslims around the world, symbolizing sacrifice, devotion, and obedience to Almighty Allah. Every year, millions of Muslims eagerly wait for this blessed festival to fulfil the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) by offering Qurbani according to their financial capacity. However, in recent years, the spirit and ease of performing Qurbani has increasingly been overshadowed by the sharp rise in the prices of sacrificial animals. As soon as Eid-ul-Adha approaches, the rates of these animals rise to extraordinary levels, making it difficult for middle-class and poor families to afford Qurbani. Unfortunately, there is no proper cap or price regulation on these animals, and traders often exploit the emotional and religious sentiments of the people to earn excessive profits. This unchecked inflation has turned a sacred religious obligation into a financial burden for many households. The concerned Food and Supplies Department must act swiftly and responsibly to monitor the markets and control the unreasonable increase in prices so that every deserving Muslim can perform Qurbani without facing financial hardship. The government should establish proper mechanisms for price control, monitoring committees, and regulated cattle markets to prevent artificial inflation and black marketing during the Eid season. Strict action should be taken against those traders who manipulate prices and create unnecessary shortages in the market. If proper checks and balances are introduced, the prices of Qurbani animals can remain stable and affordable for the common people. At the same time, awareness regarding simplicity and moderation in Qurbani should also be promoted throughout society.
“The true essence of Qurbani is rooted in piety and sacrifice rather than the cost or appearance of the animal. By working together sincerely, the government, scholars, traders, and the public can ease the burden of inflation, ensuring Muslims of all economic backgrounds can celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with dignity and peace of mind.”
In many cases, people purchase extremely expensive animals merely for show, prestige and social competition, which further contributes to inflation in the cattle market. Islam teaches simplicity, sincerityand humility in acts of worship, Qurbani should be performed for the pleasure of Almighty Allah alone rather than social display. Therefore, Ulamas and Khateebs have an important responsibility in this matter. During Friday sermons, religious gatheringsand Eid lectures, they should address the issue of inflation in Qurbani with references from the Holy Quran and Hadith. They should guide people toward moderation and discourage extravagance, pride, and unnecessary competition in purchasing animals. The Holy Quran clearly states that “Almighty Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear,” while the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) repeatedly emphasize ease, simplicity, and compassion for the poor and needy. Religious scholars should remind society that the true spirit of Qurbani lies in piety and sacrifice, not in the size, beauty or price of the animal. If the government, religious scholars, traders and the public collectively play their roles with sincerity and responsibility, the burden of inflation during Eid-ul-Adha can be reduced significantly. This will ensure that people from all economic backgrounds can participate in this important religious practice with dignity, happinessand peace of mind, preserving the true essence and blessings of Eid-ul-Adha for the entire Muslim community.
