Category: Islamic Inspirations

Why We Slaughter At Eidul Adha.

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

We are currently in the month of Zil – Hajj and have just celebrated Eidul Adha.

This time was remarkably different as we are in lockdown and need to adhere to social distancing restrictions while performing our religious rites to the best of our abilities and capabilities.

I’ve seen some innovative ways in which some people, organisations and Masjids were offering to do your Qurbani or sacrifice.

With technology, we were able to witness our Qurbani without having to leave our home.

Isn’t that amazing?  Subhanallah (All praises are due to Allah)

There was a marked difference in the atmosphere of Eidul Adha as well.

Although we were not able to be with all our family, and there were no big family dinners or lunches really being held, we still got excited and made this time of the year one of expanding our knowledge.

For many people, its hard to understand why we perform certain rites during Hajj and why we slaughter sheep, goats, bulls/cows and camels.

Why We Slaughter at Eidul Adha

I recently came across a rather terribly headlined article by a particular newspaper, which quite frankly displayed their lack of respect for Islam as a religion and lack of knowledge as a whole, as they could have easily learned the reason as to why we slaughter particular animals at Eidul Adha, without having to resort to vulgarity in their criticism.

The slaughtering of an animal is based on the emulation of Prophet Ibrahim Alayhis Salaam, aka Prophet Abraham, who was commanded by Allah Ta’aala, God Almighty, to sacrifice his only son, Isma’eel Alayhis Salaam, aka Ishmael ( May he be blessed). As the blade was about to slice the throat of Isma’eel A.S., a ram was placed in his stead and so Ibrahim A.S. slaughtered the ram instead of his son.

We emulate this action every year as it is a RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENT and those who criticize it, need to look deeper into the story of Hazrat Ibrahim Alayhis Salaam aka Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him. Look at his willingness to obey the command of his Lord and Creator. Look at his son’s faith and willingness to be sacrificed, and his maturity and how he encouraged his father to follow his Lord’s command.

Could any father today be willing to sacrifice his child?

Would any child today be able and willing to not just be sacrificed but to encourage their father to do it as well?

The main practices of our Hajj and Umrah or Pilgrimage rituals are based upon the actions of Ibrahim Alayhis Salaam and his wife Hajar Radhiyallahu Anha, God be pleased with them.

If you have any questions regarding the sacrificing of the animals for Eidul Adha, please be sure to comment below and I will reply.

Hajj is the emulation of the journey of Prophet Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam aka Abraham, Peace be upon him.

It is the emulation of how he followed Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala’s (God, the Almighty’s) commands.
Never wavering when the Shaytaan, aka the  Devil, tried to stop him. And pelting him with stones at 3 spots on the way to fulfilling  the command of slaughtering his son, Isma’eel Alayhis Salaam, aka Ishmail, peace be upon him.

The courage shown by Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam to follow through with the command of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala and when he had the knife to his son’s throat, the miracle of having Isma’eel Alayhis Salaam replaced with a ram, is constantly emulated by us during the days of Eidul Adha.

As Muslims, we need to meet certain criteria which makes this action of slaughtering an animal obligatory upon us.
And this is why we do it every year, during the period of Hajj during the Islamic month of Zil – Hajj.

Let us not forget the courage of Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam and the bravery and willingness of Isma’eel Alayhis Salaam to follow through on what was commanded by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala.
After all, would our fathers have the courage to slaughter their sons, and would the sons be willing and brave enough to be slaughtered by their fathers?

Muharram & Aashurah Mubarak

It’s the month Muharram 1441, Alhamdulillah.

The beginning of a New Islamic Year for us.

Happy New Hijri Year!

As I write this, it is the evening of the 6th of Muharram.

Just over halfway to the day of Aashurah.

What is the day of Aashurah, and why is it important?

Here are a few points on why Aashurah is important and significant to us, as Muslims;

• The day of Aashurah is the 10th of Muharram.

  • In the Holy Qur’aan, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala mentions 4 sacred months (Surah At – Tawba, Verse 36) , and in the Hadeeth, Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has mentioned:

“The year is Twelve Months, of which four are Sacred. The three consecutive months of Dhul – Qa’dah, Dhul – Hijjah, and Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jamadil – Aakhir and Sha’baan.”

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

  • Hazrat Adam Alayhis Salaam’s repentance was accepted by Allah, on this day, after he had eaten from the forbidden tree and was expelled to earth.
  • Nooh Alayhis Salaam’s Arc came to rest on Mount Judi in Iraq, on this day.
  • Moosa Alayhis Salaam and his people were saved on this day, from Firown (Pharaoh), when Allah SWT granted him the miracle of parting the Red Sea, by striking his staff against the sea. Firown and his army were drowned in the sea when they followed Moosa (AS).
  • The Prophet SAW recommended to his followers to fast on this day, as Hazrat Ibn Abbas Radiyallahu Anhu ( May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said:

The Prophet Sallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the Day of Aashurah. He said, “What is this?’ They said, “This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa (AS) fasted on this day.” He said, “We have more right to Moosa than you,” so he fasted on that day and commanded (the Muslims) to fast on that day.

Sahih Al Bukhari

  • Fasting on this day is also a means of having our minor sins forgiven. Tawbah (repentance) will be required major sins.
    • The Prophet SAW has said, “Fasting the day of Arafah, I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it, and fasting the day of Aashurah, I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” ( Sahih Muslim)
  • In order to differentiate ourselves (Muslims) from the Jews, the Prophet SAW said that we should also fast the day before Aashurah, the 9th of Muharram, or the day after Aashurah, the 11th of Muharram, as the Jews only fasted on the day of Aashurah.
  • The day of A’ashurah is also a day on which we should spend on our families. There are great blessings to be attained throughout the year for the one who spends generously on his family.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is reported to have said that: “One who generously spends on his family on Aashurah, 10th of Muharram), Allah SWT will be generous on/to him for the entire year.”

(Al Bayhaqi).

To this end, for many women, the next few days will be days of deadlines, ordering or finalizing orders for the decor, theme, food, desserts, & gifts for the day of Aashurah.

I wish you and you family both Muharram and Aashurah Mubarak. May we all be blessed abundantly by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala, in the coming year, Aameen.