The physical act of sacrificing an animal at Eid ul Adhiya Sermon Material Tarbiyat Department Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA

Special Instructions for USA Jamaat It was brought to beloved Huzoor’s notice that the practice of qurbani (sacrificing of) animals at the occasion of Eidul Adhiyya in (Jamaat) USA is fairly uncommon, and that there is a misconception that people don’t have enough spare time to ‘waste’ a full day for qurbani (sacrifice). In places like America, it should be possible to arrange for Qurbani and it should not be thought of as a waste of time. The Promised Messiah (as) has said “these sacrifices are a means of attaining closeness to and the company of Almighty God for the person who observes this practice of sacrifice with sincerity and faithfulness for the worship of God, and these sacrifices are among the highest forms of worship”. Therefore the Jamaat should be educated about its importance, and wherever possible members should arrange for a qurbani (sacrifice) and should remove this misconception that observing Qurbani is a waste of time. You should bring this to the attention of Jamaat members at your various Jamaat meetings and events. This will also serve to make the younger generation pay attention to this obligation. Letter of Additional Wakil ut Tabshir to Jamaat USA, London, Dec. 13, 2010

Holy Quran on Sacrifice And to every people We appointed rites of sacrifice, that they might mention the name of Allah over the quadrupeds of the class of cattle that He has provided for them. So your God is One God; therefore submit ye allto Him. And give thou glad tidings to the humble (22:35) Say, ‘My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds’ (6:163)

Holy Quran on Sacrifice [22:37] And among the sacred Signs of Allah We have appointed for you the sacrificial camels. In them there is much good for you. So mention the name of Allah over them as they stand tied up in lines. And when they fall down dead on their sides, eat thereof and feed him who is needy but contented and him who supplicates. Thus have We subjected them to you, that you may be thankful.

Holy Quran on Sacrifice [2:197] And complete the Hajj and the ‘Umrah for the sake of Allah: but if you are kept back, then make whatever offering is easily available; and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its destination. And whoever among you is sick or has an ailment of the head, should make an expiation either by fasting or almsgiving or a sacrifice. But when you are safe, then he, who would avail himself of the ‘Umrah together with the Hajj, should make whatever offering is easily obtainable. But such of you as cannot find an offering should fast three days during the Pilgrimage, and seven when you return home; these are ten complete. This is for him whose family does not reside near the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in punishing.

How blessed is the act of sacrificing an animal? ● Hadrat Ayesha (ra) stated that the Holy Prophet (saw) said, “The son of Adam does not do any action on the day of Qurbani which is more pleasing to Allah than the sacrifice of animals; and he will come on the day of Qiyamah with its hairs, horns and hooves (for reward); and the blood (of the sacrificed animal) certainly reaches Allah before it falls down to the ground. So make yourself purified therewith.” (Sunan Ibn Majah Kitabul Adahi #3126 Eng. #3246 Ar., & Tirmidhi)

What is the reward of sacrificing an animal? Hadrat Zaid bin Arqam reported that the companions of the Holy Prophet (saw) asked, “Oh! Messenger of Allah, what is this sacrifice?” He said, “The way of your forefather (Prophet) Ibrahim (as).” They said, “What is for us therein, O! Messenger of Allah?” He said, “There is one reward for every hair.” They said, “For wool, O! Messenger of Allah?” He said, “There is one reward for every strand of wool!” (Sunan Ibn Majah Kitabul Adahi #3127 Eng. #3247 Ar.)

Sunnah of Rasool Allah (sa) Hadrat Jabir (ra) related: “I read the prayers of Eid ul Adhiyya with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). After that, a sheep was brought to him, which he slaughtered, and while slaughtering he said the following words: ‘In the name of Allah, Allah is the Great, O Allah this sacrifice is from me and from those members of my ummah who could not offer one’” (Tirmidhi Kitabul Adahi, Vol. 3, Book 17, Hadith 1521)

Should every earning member do the sacrifice or is it one per household? ● Hadrat Mikhnaf bin Sulaim (ra) narrates that they were standing in the plains of Arafat and the Holy Prophet (saw) said “O people! every household should offer sacrifice every year” (Ibne Majah Kitabul Adahi Adahi #3125 Eng. #3245 Ar) ● Hadrat Abu Hurairah (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (saw) said: “One who has the capacity to offer sacrifice and does not do so should not come to our mosque” (Ibne Majah Kitabul Adahi Adahi #3123 Eng. #3242 Ar) ● Hadrat Muhammad bin Sirin narrates: “I asked Ibn ‘Umar about sacrifices and whether they are obligatory. He said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (saw) and the Muslims after him offered sacrifices, and this is the Sunnah.’” (Ibne Majah Kitabul Adahi Adahi #3124 Eng. #3243 Ar)

Practice of the Rasool Allah (sa) ● On the occasion of the Last Hajj, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed 63 animals that he had brought with him from Medina (Seerat khataman nabiyyin by Hadi Ali Chaudhry) ● The Holy Prophet (saw) offered sacrifice on behalf of his wives as well on the occasion of the last Hajj (Bukhari kitabul Hajj) ● The Prophet (saw) slaughtered seven Budn (camels) while standing, with his own hands. On the day of `Id-ul-Adha he slaughtered (sacrificed) two horned rams, black and white in color (Bukhari kitabul Hajj) ● Hadrat Ibne Umar (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (saw) lived in Medina for ten years, and he used to offer sacrifice every year (Tirmidhi Kitabul Adahi Adahi #1507)

Writings of Promised Messiah (as) O People of God! ponder today on this day of Eidul Adhiyya, because there are many (spiritual) secrets for the wise that are hidden in these sacrifices. As you know, many animals are sacrificed on this day... and all this is done solely for the sake of seeking Allah's pleasure, and has been done since the early days of Islam to this day, and I think that the sacrifices that are offered in (observation of) our illustrious Shariah are uncountably many. Our faith counts this act among those actions that lead to nearness to Allah.... and these sacrifices are among the highest forms of worship in our Shariah. That is why these sacrifices are called "Nusuk" in Arabic, which also means obedience and submission.... So this clearly proves that the true worshiper is one who sacrifices his own self along with all its faculties and (love for) those objects of desire that pull his heart, for the sake of seeking the pleasure of his Lord... and nothing remains of his own self... and this is the true meaning of Islam and the essence of perfect obedience.

Writings of Promised Messiah (peace be on him) – continued 2 A Muslim is one who puts his face down in front of God Almighty to be sacrificed... and is never unmindful of death... So every believing man and believing woman who seeks the pleasure of the Loving God should understand this truth... Do not forget the status of this sacrifice … and do not remain oblivious to the wisdom that is hidden in these sacrifices. “Say, ‘My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds’ (6:163)”. Qurbanis (Sacrifices) are the spiritual rides that take us towards Allah, and cover our faults and protect us from difficulties. … It is unfortunate that many people do not understand these hidden subtleties, and do not observe this instruction of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), and to them Eid doesn’t mean anything except that they take a shower, wear new clothes, eat food… and then go out lavishly with their families and servants to celebrate Eid.

Writings of Promised Messiah (peace be on him) – continued 3 So in these bleak times and on this dark night, God’s Mercy has demanded that a light descend from the Heavens, so I am that light, and that Mujaddid who has come down by the command of God Almighty … and I am that Mahdi whose advent was predestined, and I am that Messiah who was promised. God’s Grace desired to give to the world what it was yearning for, and that mercy be shown to all men and women … So good fortune be on you that the Messiah has come to you, and felicitations be on you because the promised Mahdi has come. … You do not think, and many signs have been shown for my sake but you do not care, and the heavens and the earth and the water and the dirt have borne testament for my sake but you do not fear. …

Writings of Promised Messiah (peace be on him) – continued 4 O Brothers, our times bear a striking resemblance to this month because these are the end of times, and this month (the month of Dhul Hijjah) is the last among the months of this year, and both of them are drawing to an end. This last month has prescribed sacrifices and these end times also have prescribed sacrifices, the only difference is like the original versus the reflection that is cast in a mirror, and an example (of these sacrifices) has happened before during the times of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). … I have been sent from my God with all possible power and blessing and honor … so fear God. O brave men, accept me! and do not deny and do not die in denial … Meet your Lord, make it a habit to turn towards with Him with complete devotion, so that you may be blessed with nearness to Allah and His Company. Khutba Ilhamiya, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 16