By Muftī Riḍa Al-Ḥaq
Adapted into English by Yūsuf Badāt
وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَائِرِ اللَّـهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ لَن يَنَالَ اللَّـهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“God has made for you the bigger animals as a sign of God [and His greatness], wherein you find much good. So mention God’s name over them when they are drawn up in lines [for sacrifice]. Thereafter, when they are down on their sides [after slaughter], eat thereof, and feed the beggar who does not ask, and [also] the beggar who asks. In this manner we have made the animals subject to you that you may be grateful. It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches God, but it is the piety from you that reaches Him. In this manner, we have made the animals subject to you [for your benefit] that you may magnify God for His guidance to you. And give glad tidings to the doers of good.” – (Qurʾān 22:36-37)
Qurbānī/ Uḍḥiyyah is:
ONE:
A commemorative and celebratory practice of the Prophet Abraham (peace and blessing upon him).
TWO:
A prophetic practice of Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him).
THREE:
An Islamic ritual upholding the religion.
FOUR:
A reminder of a great believing household and family (Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael).
FIVE:
A mode of worship in kind [and not by donating money].
SIX:
A means to feed the poor and raise their spirits.
SEVEN:
A way for both the wealthy and also the poor to enjoy the ʿEīd festival.
EIGHT:
A collective practice of a multitude of Muslims across the world signifying that sacrifice is only dedicated for the one and only God, the Almighty.
NINE:
A physical statement that animals are to be eaten, not worshipped.
TEN:
A practice where believers demonstrate that they are ready to sacrifice beloved things for God’d sake and also a believer’s physical declaration that they are prepared to sacrifice their resources and lives for God.
ELEVEN:
A manifestation of God’s power. He created so many animals for the benefit of humanity.
TWELVE:
A sign that God increases offspring and progeny the same way God increases the number of ḥalāl animals despite countless being slaughtered at the occasion.
THIRTEEN:
Is a means of being God’s honourable guests, as He graced believers the permission to consume and enjoy the meat from animals slaughtered for His sake.
(See: Fatāwā Dār Al-ʿUlūm Zakarīyya)