Author: M. Asim Ismail Zahi
Qurbani (sacrifice): Its Importance, Virtues, Philosophy and Etiquette (Part 5)
A few doubts about sacrifice:
First doubt: Sacrifice is cruelty to animals!
Answer:
A: Why don’t anti-Islamists object to the slaughter of animals in festivals or for Western consumption, because they have shaped people’s minds in such a way that Europeans are cultured and civilized by injecting thoughts, and they ignore any crime they commit because these acts are committed by a European with culture [in their opinion]; so it does not matter much!!
The Wild West, under the pretext of popular and national games, brutally slaughters 40,000 cows every year. [1] Why don’t they protest these barbaric acts?
More than 150 billion animals are killed annually by industrial meat, dairy, egg and fish companies. Why is only Muslim sacrifice objected to? [2]
B: Slaughtering animals is not violence!
Anyone who believes in the existence of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is undoubtedly certain that it is never possible for Him, the Exalted, to be cruel! Rather, He is merciful and kind. If we look at the world of wildlife and nature, we see that Allah, the Exalted, has created all kinds of animals, birds, and many of them feed on the flesh of weaker animals in their food chain, or how many carnivorous and bloodthirsty animals He has placed in the waters! From all kinds of fish, sharks, and whales to dangerous carnivorous crocodiles and alligators, all of which feed on animals and creatures smaller than themselves; there are even many aquatic and terrestrial animals that go from one continent to another to hunt and feed, and travel very long distances to reach food! Have you seen anteaters eating thousands of ants in one meal? Or have you paid attention to the feeding of all kinds of animals and other creatures that are part of this food chain?!
Now tell me, after seeing this food chain, can anyone say that these things are very cruel and contrary to reason?! Is it cruel if a person slaughters an animal for his own food?! In this food chain that Allah Almighty has established for all His creatures according to His wise wisdom, is there no place for the noblest of His creatures?! Is the angel of death, who takes the lives of not only humans but also the lives of prophets, messengers and kings, cruel and murderous?! If we do not slaughter animals on Eid al-Azha, will they live forever?! Is it more difficult for them to die for a few minutes during slaughter or to die after struggling with pain, suffering, illness and old age?!
Imagine if all animals survived and no hunting took place, what would happen to the carnivorous animals of land and sea and their nutrition? Will their species survive or will they become extinct? Will they not die of hunger? Is it right to consume animal meat for other animals, but not for humans? If the lives of these animals and many other creatures on earth depend on feeding on others, is slaughtering an animal for meat, skin, etc. against reason, humanity, and the will of Allah?
C: Islam has forbidden cruelty and oppression towards animals:
Allah Almighty said: “وَّأَحْسَنُواْ وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ” Translation: “And do good, for Allah loves the doers of good.” [3]
“إنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ” Translation: “Indeed, Allah Almighty commands justice and goodness.” [4]
Imam Muslim and the companions of the Sunan narrated from the Prophet, (PBUH), that he said: “إن الله كتب الإحسان على كل شيء فإذا قتلتم فأحسنوا القتلة وإذا ذبحتم فأحسنوا الذبح وليحد أحدكم شفرته فليرح ذبيحته” Translation: “Indeed, Allah has prescribed kindness and good treatment in everything. So, when you kill, kill well, and when you slaughter, slaughter well, and sharpen your knife so that the animal is slaughtered easily.” [5]
Regarding helping someone who is in trouble, it is stated in authentic hadith that whoever helps such a person will be given a great reward and his sins will be forgiven.
It Is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “بينما رجل يمشي بطريق اشتد عليه العطش فوجد بئرا فنزل فيها فشرب ثم خرج فإذا كلب يلهث يأكل الثرى من العطش فقال الرجل لقد بلغ هذا الكلب من العطش مثل الذي كان بلغ مني فنزل البئر فملأ خفه ماء ثم أمسكه بفيه حتى رقي فسقى الكلب فشكر الله له فغفر له قالوا يا رسول الله وإن لنا في هذه البهائم لأجرا ؟ فقال في كل كبد رطبة أجر” Translation: “A man was on a journey and became very thirsty. He found a well, went into it and drank water. Then he came out and suddenly saw a dog with its tongue sticking out due to thirst and eating dirt. The man said: This dog is as thirsty as I was. Then he went into the well and filled his shoe with water, took it with his mouth, came up from the well and gave the dog water. Then Allah the Almighty accepted his deed and forgave his sins. They said: O Messenger of Allah! Will we be rewarded for taking care of animals with tied tongues? He said: Helping every living creature is a reward.” [6]
“عن أبى هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلیاللهعلیهوسلم:«بينا كلب يطيف بركية قد كاد يقتله العطش إذ رأته بغى من بغايا بنى إسرائيل فنزعت موقها فاستقت له فسقته إياه فغفر لها به” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (MABH) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “While a dog was circling a well and was about to quench its thirst, suddenly one of the harlots of the Children of Israel caught sight of the dog, and she took out her shoe and drew water for the dog and gave it water, and because of this her sins were forgiven.” [7]
Just as Islam encourages good deeds and forbids oppression and transgression; Allah Almighty says: “وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ” Translation: “And do not transgress, for Allah does not love transgressors.” [8]
Allah Almighty says: “وَمَنْ يَظْلِمْ مِنْكُمْ نُذِقْهُ عَذَابًا كَبِيرًا” Translation: “And whoever among you wrongs, we will make him taste a great punishment.” [9]
It Is narrated in Sahih Muslim that Ibn Umar (MABH) passed by some people who were aiming at a bird and shooting at it. When they saw Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), they scattered. Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “من فعل هذا ؟ إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم لعن من فعل هذا” Translation: “Who did this? The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) cursed the one who does this.” [10]
It was narrated from Anas (MABH) that: «نهى رسول الله صلیاللهعلیهوسلم أن تصبر البهائم» Translation: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) forbade the keeping of animals.” [11]
“عن ابن عباس رضیاللهعنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلیاللهعلیهوسلم «لا تتخذوا شيئا فيه الروح غرضا” Translation: It was narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Do not mark anything that has a soul and is alive.” [12]
«عن ابن عباس قال: إن النبى صلياللهعليهوسلم نهى عن قتل أربع من الدواب النملة والنحلة والهدهد والصرد» Translation: It was narrated from Ibn Abbas (MABH) that he said: “The Prophet (PBUH) forbade the killing of four animals: the ant, the bee, the hoopoe and the sparrow.” [13]
It Is narrated in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “عذبت امرأة فى هرة سجنتها حتى ماتت فدخلت فيها النار؛ لا هى أطعمتها وسقتها إذ حبستها، ولا هى تركتها تأكل من خشاش الأرض” Translation: “A woman was tortured and sent to Hell because she imprisoned a cat until it died. When she imprisoned the cat, she neither gave it water nor food, nor did she let it go and eat insects on the ground.” [14]
In the Sunan of Abu Dawud, it is narrated from Abu Waqid (MABH) that he said: The Prophet (PBUH) said: ما قطع من البهيمة وهي حية فهي ميتة” Translation: “Whatever is cut from a living animal is carrion.” [15]
It has been narrated from Ibn Masoud, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: “كُنَّا مع رسولِ الله صلياللهوسلم في سَفَرٍ، فانطلقَ لحَاجَتِه، فَرَأينا حُمَّرَة معها فَرخَانِ ، فَأَخَذْنَا فَرخَيها ، فَجَاءت الحُمَّرَةُ ، فجَعَلتْ تُعَرِّشُ ، فَلمَا جاءَ رسولُ الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال : مَنْ فَجَعَ هذه بِوَلَدِهَا ؟ رُدُّوا ولدَهَا إِليها، ورَأى قَريَةَ نَمْلٍ قَدْ أحْرَقناهَا ، فقال: مَن أَحرَقَ هذه؟ قُلنا : نحن، قال: إِنَّهُ لا ينبغي أَنْ يُعَذِّبَ بعذاب النارِ إِلا رَبُّ النَّار” Translation: “We were on a journey with the Prophet (PBUH). He went to toilet. I saw a sparrow with two chicks. We caught the chicks. The sparrow came and flapped its wings and was impatient. Then the Prophet (PBUH) came and said: Who has caused this sparrow to suffer by catching its chicks? He returned its children to it. He saw an anthill that I had set on fire. He said: Who set the anthill on fire? We said: We. He said: It is not fitting that anyone should be punished with fire except the Lord of Fire.” [16]
It was narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “ما من إنسان يقتل عصفورا فما فوقها بغير حقها إلا سأله الله عز و جل عنها قيل يا رسول الله وما حقها قال يذبحها فيأكلها ولا يقطع رأسها يرمي بها” Translation: “Whoever kills a sparrow or something larger than that unjustly, Allah will ask him about it.” It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, what is its just?” He said: “To slaughter it and eat it, not to cut its head and throw it away.” [17]
It was narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed by a donkey that had been branded on its face and said: “لعن الله الذى وسمه” Translation: “May Allah curse the one who branded it.” [18]
In another narration, it is stated: “نهى رسول الله صلياللهعليهوسلم عن الضرب فى الوجه وعن الوسم فى الوجه” Translation: “The Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), forbade hitting the face and branding it.” And this prohibition applies to both humans and animals. [19]
These texts and their meanings indicate that torturing animals in any way is forbidden and impermissible; even animals that are permitted to be killed in Sharia should not be tortured. These things indicate that Islam pays attention to animals, considers their interests, and prohibits their harm and harassment.
Continues…
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References
[2] http://www.occupyforanimals.net/animal-kill-counter.html.
[3] Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 195. [4] Surah An-Nahl, Verse 90.
[5] Al-Nisaburi, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, Al-Jami’ al-Sahih, known as Sahih Muslim, vol. 3, p. 1548, Book of Hunting, Slaughter and Animals that can be eaten, Chapter on the Command to Perfect Slaughter and Killing and Sharpening the Blade, Hadith No. 1955, Publisher: Dar al-Jil Beirut + Dar al-Afaq al-Jadida – Beirut.
[6] Al-Nisaburi, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, Al-Jami’ al-Sahih, known as Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, p. 1761, Book of Peace, Chapter on the Virtue of Providing Water and Food to Respected Animals, Hadith No. 2244, Publisher: Dar al-Jil Beirut + Dar al-Afaq al-Jadida – Beirut.
[7] Al-Bayhaqi, Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn al-Hussein, Al-Sunan al-Kubra and at the end Al-Gawhar al-Naqi, vol. 8, p. 14, Book of Expenditures, Chapter on the Expenditure on Animals, Hadith No. 16237, First Edition: 1344 AH, Publisher: Council of the Nizamiyya Encyclopedia Department located in Hyderabad, India.
[8] Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 190.
[9] Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 19.
[10] Al-Nisaburi, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, Al-Jami’ al-Sahih, known as Sahih Muslim, vol. 3, p. 1549, Book of Hunting, Slaughter and Animals that can be eaten, Chapter on the Prohibition of Holding Animals Captive to Kill them, Hadith No. 1955, Publisher: Dar al-Jil Beirut + Dar al-Afaq al-Jadida – Beirut.
[11] Al-Sijistani, Sulaiman ibn al-Ash’ath, Sunan Abi Dawood, vol. 2, p. 110, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter on the Prohibition of Holding Animals Captive and Kindness in Slaughtering, Hadith No. 2816, Publisher: Dar al-Fikr.
[12] Al-Qazwini, Muhammad ibn Yazid, Sunan Ibn Majah, vol. 2, p. 1063, Book of Slaughter, Chapter on the Prohibition of Holding Animals Captive and Mutilation, Hadith No. 3187, Dar al-Fikr – for Printing, Publishing and Distribution.
[13] Al-Sijistani, Sulaiman ibn al-Ash’ath, Sunan Abi Dawood, vol. 4, p. 538, Al-Adab (Etiquette), Chapter on Killing Ants, Hadith No. 5269, Publisher: Dar al-Fikr.
[14] Al-Nisaburi, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, Al-Jami’ al-Sahih, known as Sahih Muslim, vol. 7, p. 43, Al-Adab (Etiquette), Chapter on the Prohibition of Killing Cats, Hadith No. 5989, Publisher: Dar al-Jil Beirut + Dar al-Afaq al-Jadida – Beirut.
[15] Al-Sijistani, Sulaiman ibn al-Ash’ath, Sunan Abi Dawood, vol. 2, p. 123, Book of Hunting, Chapter on Hunting a Part of an Animal, Hadith No. 2858, Publisher: Dar al-Fikr.
[16] Al-Jazari, Majd al-Din Abu al-Sa’adat, Jami’ al-Usul fi Ahadith al-Rasul, vol. 4, p. 528, letter Ra, chapter 3: Regarding what has come of mercy to animals, Hadith number: 2633, First Edition, Publisher: Maktabat al-Halwani – Matba’at al-Mallah – Maktabat Dar al-Bayan.
[17] Al-Nasa’i, Ahmad ibn Shu’ayb, Sunan al-Nasa’i al-Kubra, vol. 3, p. 163, Book of Hunting and Slaughtering, Permissibility of eating sparrows, Hadith number: 4860, First Edition, 1411 – 1991, Publisher: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya – Beirut.
[18] Al-Bayhaqi, Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn al-Hussein, Al-Sunan al-Kubra wa fi Dhaylihi al-Jawhar al-Naqi, vol. 7, p. 35, Book of dividing charities, Chapter on what came regarding the place of marking and the description of the marking, Hadith number: 13638, First Edition: 1344 AH, Publisher: Majlis Da’irat al-Ma’arif al-Nizamiyya, located in India, in the city of Hyderabad.
[19] Al-Naysaburi, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, Al-Jami’ al-Sahih al-Musamma Sahih Muslim, vol. 6, p. 163, Clothing and Adornment, Chapter on the prohibition of striking an animal in its face and branding it therein, Hadith number: 5672, Publisher: Dar al-Jeel Beirut + Dar al-Afaq al-Jadida – Beirut.
