Qurbani is a time for excitement, but one must remember to respect the day and the animals Photo SAMAA
South Africa – With Qurbani just a few days away, much excitement has set in. Farms have already been visited, animals already picked and everyone has their farm clothes ready. However, while the excitement of Qurbani has set in, it is still an auspicious time, has its own rules and still needs to be respected.
What is the difference between Qurbani and just slaughtering an animal on every other day of the week? This question was posed by Sahabah (RA) to Nabi (SAW). Sahabah (RA) always had animals grazing their land so when Qurbani became Wajib (an obligatory act, with failure to perform it being sinful) they posed this question. Nabi (SAW) responded that it is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (AS). Adam (AS) also did Qurbani but Ulama, like Maulana Dawood Seedat explained that the sacrifice of Ibrahim (AS) was specified, due to the magnitude of His submission to Allah (SWT). He (AS) was willing to sacrifice his own son, that is not a small matter.
This shows that while we should get into the spirit of Qurbani and be excited about it, we must not overlook or make light of it. It is a day that demands our respect and a day in which the animals also deserve the same respect.
The age of social media and taking pictures
As time has progressed, it is unfortunate to see a strange occurrence becoming normalised within the community. Taking pictures and videos of the animals especially while one is about to slaughter the animal. For some, like Zahraa’ Ahmed, there’s good and bad to it. She believes the pictures and videos can create the atmosphere and belonging that she feels on Eid day being in the presence of those who slaughter even though she doesn’t do it herself. However, it can also create other unforeseen problems.
“On the one hand, it spreads awareness for those Muslims who just make a donation and don’t even interact with the animal, yet alone slaughter it. It could show them the fun around the reasoning for this Eid and how it brings people together. On the other hand, pictures and videos, like everything on social media, could lead to a lot of fitnah (trouble or difficulty). Watching other men and women and simply just being like “they look so cool and attractive” is a sin in itself and posting that, you get the sin for everyone who looks at that picture and thinks that.”
However, Maulana Seedat explained in a lecture, this act is not something a person should be partaking in.
“Some people follow a fatwa that photography is permissible. Despite this, it makes absolutely no sense to video yourself slaughtering. Allah (SWT) has allowed for us to take the life of an animal to fulfil our Waajib Qurbani and to earn in the process. Why do we turn it into a movie, making videos and sharing it on Facebook, boasting about our knives and slaughtering techniques? Think about it, ask yourself the reason as to why you are recording. It is done to show off and showing off reduces our hard-earned rewards.”
Maulana Ismail Vahed further elaborated that “while Qurbani to an extent is done communally, it is basically a matter between us and Allah (SWT).”
Furthermore, people often use these pictures to boast to others about how expensive their animal is and how much meat they got etc. Maulana Seedat explained that this is a futile thing to do as Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Hajj verse 37, “Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus, have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good”.
SMread: Saudi Arabia Buzzes with Activity as Pre-Pandemic Capacity Restored for Hajj
Justifying these actions
Many people try to justify these actions as a way to create an Eid atmosphere. As a way to invite or show people what Islam is. However, Maulana Vahed explained this is not the correct way of thinking. One cannot spread Deen by using incorrect ways that go against the laws of Allah (SWT).
“A general principle in usool ul fiqh is that the protection and preservation of religion and its rulings etc comes before spreading the religion. By way of another example, somebody might say that if you show a film or movie about Islam it will cause others to accept Islam. We must realise that firstly our objective is not attainment of the objective (in this case creating an atmosphere) but the object of is the pleasure of Allah (SWT) firstly and we should try and attain any secondary objectives (IE: atmosphere) in a way which is pleasing to Allah (SWT). In a similar manner we cannot say that we will earn interest money but we will not spend it on ourselves rather we will spend it on the poor and for the upliftment of religion because interest is in itself forbidden and abhorred by Allah (SWT).”
The manner in which one can use Qurbani to call people towards Islam
While using videos and photography is not the best option, there are other ways to call people to Islam. The best way to do this is to invite them to the farm and have them witness the Qurbani taking place, explained Maulana Vahed. This amongst other things is much better than posted images and videos of your animals being slaughtered.
“With regards to non-Muslims, one should rather physically invite them to come and witness the Qurbani that is taking place. In this way they will be able to see our unity and so on and so forth. Also they will be able to notice other beautiful features of our Deen. That our method of slaughtering is humane and has been legislated to cause the least amount of pain to the animal. Also how beautiful would it be if we share the meat of Qurbani with them as well. In this way they will also experience the generosity and kindness of us Muslims.”
SMread: Biggest Hajj in history kicks off in Saudi Arabia
The treatment of animals
Taking pictures and videos can lead to inconveniencing the animals as well as causing undue stress, as witnessed by Nabeel Seedat. Something which Islam has stressed one should refrain from doing. This as well as other issues is why Seedat believes it is unnecessary for pictures and videos to be taken.
“What I’ve noticed is that people tend to delay slaughtering the animal the moment it’s put onto the ground just so they can make sure the video/photo is being taken. It inconveniences the animal and the people around who are helping. Another thing I’ve noticed especially when a camera is around. The person who is slaughtering tends to forget to read the Takbeer out loud. In my opinion I don’t believe taking pictures to be necessary when slaughtering an animal.”
Ziyaad Hajaree, agrees with Seedat and added it is “disrespect towards it [the animal] and neutralises the very essence of Eid”.
Setting that aside, the reward for one who practises in such action is severely diminished, said Maulana Vahed.
“Let alone the reward being decreased or diminished it should not be that such an action of ours leads to our sacrifice not being accepted. As we know in Islam all our actions have to be done solely for the pleasure of Allah (SWT).”
While the excitement of Qurbani fills the air and preparations are underway, it is essential to remember the significance and sanctity of this auspicious occasion. Qurbani is not merely a routine act of slaughtering an animal; it is a practice rooted in the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and carries profound meaning. It demands our utmost respect and adherence to the prescribed rules.
Shaddid b. Aus (RA) said: “Two are the things which I remember Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) having said: Verily Allah has enjoined goodness to everything; so when you kill, kill in a good way and when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way. So every one of you should sharpen his knife and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.” (Sahih Muslim 1955a)
