Author Topic: Festival of Sacrifice (Read 1188 times)

hubag bohol · « **on:** October 02, 2014, 12:16:04 PM »

What is Eid al-Adha?

At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Makkah), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). In 2014, Eid al-Adha will begin on or around October 4th, and will last for three days.

What does Eid al-Adha commemorate?

During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:

"Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=79048.0

hubag bohol · « **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2014, 12:16:58 PM »

Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?

During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.

The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.

It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him" (Qur'an 22:37).

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

More at: http://islam.about.com/od/hajj/a/adha.htm

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=79048.0

hubag bohol · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2014, 12:21:01 PM »

Excerpts from:

The Sacrifice of "Eid al-Adha"
AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE AGAINST ANIMAL SACRIFICE
by Shahid 'Ali Muttaqi

The rites of sacrifice are specific, to that which Allah has given to humankind for its sustenance. The assumption that such sustenance is always meant to be of the four-legged variety is incorrect. Much evidence suggests that early human were primarily vegetarian, as Genesis states, "I have given you every herb bearing seed for food." In fact, according to the Bible, it was only after The Flood that humans were permitted to eat flesh (presumably for survival reasons), as their normal food would have been scarce. And in different times and places and from culture to culture, what has been present for survival has varied. Native American tribes in Alaska and Northern Canada had access only to fish, seals, whales, etc. Certain island peoples' only had fish. While still other populations remained vegetarian, eating primarily fruit and nuts.

Nowhere in the Qur'an does it suggest that people who do not need to eat meat to survive or who eat meat but do not have access to the same animals present in Arabia are somehow unable to be Muslims.

And nowhere in the Qur'an does it suggest that sacrifice is meant for any purpose other than to thank Allah for that which we have sometimes been obliged to kill, or as a personal sacrifice of something that is considered a possession in order to share it with our more needy neighbors, etc.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=79048.0

hubag bohol · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2014, 12:22:06 PM »

Animals are mentioned in the Qur'an in relation to sacrifice only because in that time, place, and circumstance, animals were the means of survival. In those desert lands, humans were intricately tied up in the natural cycle, and as a part of that, they killed and were killed like every other species of that area. Islam offered conditions to regulate life in that time and place, ensuring the best possible treatment for all under those circumstances, while at the same time broadening people's understanding of life to include a spiritual dimension and a respect for all life as a part of a unified whole. But let us not assume for a minute that we are forever stuck in those circumstances, or that the act of eating meat, or killing an animal is what makes one a Muslim.

To utter "Ashhadu an la ilaha illa-Llah, wa ashhadhu anna Muhammadan rasulu-Llah" is what makes one a Muslim. Plain and simple. The understanding that there is "No God, but Allah." Or to put it even more appropriately, that there is "No God. Only Allah." This is the heart of Islam. In addition, there are four more pillars that make one a practicing Muslim (these pillars being there to aid in the realization that there is "no God, only Allah") but again, animal sacrifice or meat eating is not one of these pillars.

Animal sacrifice only has meaning in the context of thanking Allah for our means of survival. In the times and places where animals were (or still are) a necessary resource that humans had (or have) no choice but to use for their sustenance, there is an important lesson to be learned in making a sacrifice and sharing with the community that which would be looked upon as a valuable commodity or possession (by many). In such environments, there is an absolute necessity for Halal methods of slaughter, which at least try to ensure that when a person must kill animals for food (in order to survive), the animals are raised in their natural environment and killed as humanely as possible, as well as reaffirms the truth (in the reciting of the formula below) that only Allah has the right to take life and that they humbly do so only for survival, in the name of Allah.

"Subhan Allahi (Glory be to Allah), Walhamdu lillahi (all praise to Allah), Wa la ilaha ill Allahu (and none is God except Allah), Wallahu akbar (and Allah is greatest), Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi (and none has majesty and none has power to sustain except for Allah), Wa huwal aliyul'alheem. amin. (And He is the highest, the supreme in glory. Amen)"

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=79048.0

hubag bohol · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2014, 12:23:03 PM »

For in a situation where meat must be eaten, there need to be rules to both protect animals and to impart a higher spiritual significance to an act that could easily degenerate to wanton cruelty. One only has to look at some supposedly "Buddhist" countries that fall short in terms of their adherence to vegetarianism to see what happens when there are no rules in place to deal with human shortcomings. I do not want to single out or condemn Buddhism by any means (as it is a valid tradition and religious path) but rather, to make an example of it, since in it such a high ideal is championed without dealing with the inevitable reality of less-than-ideal circumstances. That is to say that there are no regulations concerning the killing of animals. Buddhism speaks against it but did not have the power to turn all of humanity away from that age-old practice. Thus, what usually happens is that nonBuddhist butchers are brought in so that no Buddhist has to take a life but can, nonetheless, eat meat even though it is produced in some of the most inhumane conditions that exist. The same goes for Western "Christian" countries that malign the Muslim world for sacrificing animals, yet have institutionalized factory farming and worldwide environmental destruction.

So no, this is not a black-and-white issue where animal sacrifice is always wrong or where people who profess vegetarianism are somehow more spiritual or closer to God. But at the same time, it is not a blanket acceptance of a tradition for the sake of ritual.

If someone lives in a desert climate, in a small village where meat-eating is an unchangeable reality and a matter of survival, then the issue of animal sacrifice has context and relevance. But for those of us living in the modern world, we have to seriously question practices that not only have lost meaning (in our present circumstances), but also are contributing to needless bloodshed and environmental destruction (not to mention the health problems incurred by meat-eaters).

Furthermore, the majority of animals used for sacrifice during the Hajj are not even raised or killed in a Halal manner. These days, the numbers of animals needed are so high that the majority are imported from New Zealand and other countries. The raising of these animals (along with those for meat and wool export) is contributing to the environmental destruction of New Zealand's eco-system. Furthermore, these animals are shipped in brutally overcrowded conditions where large percentages regularly die from disease, being trampled, or heat exhaustion. This is not humane. This is not halal. And we can't ignore this reality. It's not enough to acknowledge that the situation is unfortunate. We as Muslims must not only change our own actions that help create this situation, but also speak out for the protection of Allah's innocent creatures. We're not living 1400 years ago, and whether some of us like it or not, the world is changing.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=79048.0

hubag bohol · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2014, 12:24:05 PM »

We can talk all we want about Sunnah (tradition and the way of the Prophet [sal]), but if we do so, then let us take the whole picture into account. The Prophet (sal) ate primarily dates and barley, only occasionally eating meat (which would have been necessary at that time and place for proper health, as it was a vary harsh climate that demanded a rigorous lifestyle which was very taxing on the human body). Such circumstances do not exist today for most of the developed world, and the fact is, meat-eating with our current sedentary lifestyle is responsible for the increase in cancer and heart attacks throughout the world.

Meat-eating (and in relation to it, animal sacrifice) is not intrinsic to who the Prophet (sal) was or to what he preached. And most of the current research shows that humans are healthier on a vegetarian/vegan diet (ultimately proving we do not need to eat meat, and therefore, no longer have any justification for animal sacrifice in a modern setting). Certainly the Prophet (sal), who instructed us to go even to China in search of "Ilm, or 'Divine Knowledge'" understood the importance of advancing our understanding of the world in which we live and living in harmony with our surroundings.

The time has come for all true Muslims, be they Sunni or Shi'a, Sufi or otherwise, to stand up for the universal standards of justice and compassion that the Prophet (sal) not only spoke of (both through Hadith and, more importantly, as the receiver of the Qur'anic revelation), but actually put into practice. For those who need to take a life in order to survive, then let them do so humbly and with respect for the life they are forced to take, showing as much mercy and compassion as humanely possible in an otherwise regrettable situation. However, for those of us who no longer need to kill in order to survive, then let us cease to do so merely for the satisfaction of ravenous cravings which are produced by nothing more than our Nafs (or lower self). That would truly be the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal).

More at: http://www.islamicconcern.com/sacrifice01.asp

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=79048.0

hubag bohol · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2014, 01:11:58 PM »

Animals not allowed for sacrifice

Sheep aged six months to a year, but do not resemble a year old sheep

Sheep a day under six months are not allowed

Goat that is a day under one year. Cow, ox or buffalo a day under two years. Camel a day under five years

Undomesticated, wild animals e.g. wild bull

Any other animal beside domesticated goat, sheep, cattle and camel is not allowed for sacrifice

A blind animal or a sunken eye or an animal with its eye sticking out

A cross eyed animal

A frail weak emaciated animal

An animal born without ears

An animal with more than one-third of its ear cut off

An animal that does not have any teeth and is unable to graze. However if it is able to graze it will suffice for sacrifice.

An animal with the horns broken at the root and the brain is visible

An animal that walks on three legs and does not take support from the lame leg. However if it takes support from the lame leg, it will suffice for sacrifice

An animal with skin disease such as scabies or mange

An animal that is deeply wounded

An animal with cut teats or dried teats

A cut-nosed animal

An animal that is hermaphrodite (both sexual organs exist)

An animal with damaged udders

More than one-third of the tail is cut off

--Wiki

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=79048.0

MikeLigalig.com

Author Topic: Festival of Sacrifice (Read 1188 times)

hubag bohol

Festival of Sacrifice

hubag bohol

Re: Festival of Sacrifice

hubag bohol

Re: Festival of Sacrifice

hubag bohol

Re: Festival of Sacrifice

hubag bohol

Re: Festival of Sacrifice

hubag bohol

Re: Festival of Sacrifice

hubag bohol

Re: Festival of Sacrifice