Eidul-Kabir: Beyond animal sacrifice

It is a religious festival in which Muslims are required  to offer animal sacrifices to commemorate the initial offering made by Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham (AS). It since became a religious practice for Muslims who have the means to offer sacrifices, annually, on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah. The essential […]

It is a religious festival in which Muslims are required  to offer animal sacrifices to commemorate the initial offering made by Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham (AS). It since became a religious practice for Muslims who have the means to offer sacrifices, annually, on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah.
The essential message in this annual religious rite is symbolized by Prophet Ibrahim (AS)’s persevering patience and Ismail (AS)’s absolute obedience. Both of them faithfully accepted to suffer self-sacrifice in order to obey Allah (SWT)’s divine injunction; a virtue that many of today’s leaders and followers in Nigeria have practically failed to imbibe. Sacrifice in its broader context actually goes beyond offering animal. It also includes giving out our time; using our physical strength; tolerating those who differ from us in faith,  expending our wealth or paying the supreme price for the benefit of our community or country. Selfless service for the common good of the people is essentially a reflection of genuine sacrifice. Our refusal to make individual and collective sacrifices is largely responsible for Nigeria’s current woes. Through sincere altruistic efforts, leaders whether elected or appointed should be able to inspire their followers to make sacrifices.
Bad governance is most often a consequence of the failure by leaders to make sacrifices. Personal sacrifices of persons in positions of authority beget credible leadership just as credible leadership begets good governance. Leading with a good sense of probity, justice, and equity is altogether an implicit expression of sacrifice; and by extension a symbolic obedience to Allah (SWT)’s laws. Obedience to the commands of those charged with authority among us equally implies submission to Allah (SWT)’s will and command. Patience, tolerance, kindness, modesty, contentment, and chastity are all implied forms of sacrifice. More importantly, no act of sacrifice goes unrewarded in the sight of Allah (SWT).
In the days of our first republic leaders, the extent to which public officers made personal sacrifices defined leadership and good governance. Their selfless efforts during that honourable and virtuous period of the country’s political history were for the benefit of all. Their sacrifices included modest expenditure whenever they had cause to spend public funds. They were honest in their claims and allowances as many of them refused, for instance, to lodge in the most expensive hotels, then, when they travelled.
Today’s leaders, however, have redefined ‘sacrifice’ in their own image; making it a taboo for themselves and the preserve of others who may naturally not be at any vantage positions to giving the needed sacrifice. Some contemporary leaders see public office or funds as an authorization for their children to attend schools abroad; for their wives to go for ante-natal clinics in foreign hospitals; and for importing generators to the detriment of the nation’s education, health and power sectors which over 150 million Nogerians look up to.
The Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) teaches that those that are able to make sacrifices on the occasion of the Eidul-Kabir should eat out of the meat and also give some portions of it to others. While some scholars fix two-third (2/3) of the entire meat as the portion to be given out, others opine that the proportion is not mandatory. The most important thing is that the person who made the sacrifice should eat out of it and give part of it as alms (Sadaqah). If giving fresh meat out as Sadaqahwould be a burden to the recipient(s), it is preferred that the meat is roasted, fried or cooked before it is shared.
The reward promised by Allah (SWT), rather than the quantity of the meat available for consumption, should be the ultimate of every believer who offers the sacrifice.  Slaughtering a goat on the occasion of Eidul-Kabirhas more reward than slaughtering a cow and even a camel.
In the Maliki School of Islamic jurisprudence, the reward for Dahiyyah (Layyah in Hausa) is according to the type of animal offered in the following order of preference beginning from the most preferred to the less preferred: un-castrated ram; then a castrated ram; then a sheep; followed by an un-castrated he-goat; then a castrated he-goat; then a she-goat; followed by a bull; then a cow; followed by a male camel; then a female camel. However, the reverse (in the order of preference) is the case for those on pilgrimage to Makkah because the object of sacrifice in hajj (called Hadyah) is to provide plenty of meat for the underprivileged. On the other hand, the intent of sacrifice in Eidul-Kabirin the case of Muslims who are not on pilgrimage is to taste and enjoy the best of meat.
Nonetheless, there is an age limit set aside by Islam for every category of slaughter-animal on the occasion of the Eid. According to Abdullahi bn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawaniy, author of the famous book of the Malikiyyah school, Ar-Risala; it is required that a ram or sheep should have attained a year or at least eight months. A goat is expected to have entered its second year. A cow should have entered its fourth year and a camel should not be less than six years of age. It is not right to use a sick, emaciated or blind (partial or full) animal that has one or other deformities for the sacrifice. A slaughter-animal with a broken horn or split ear(s) should not also be used for the Dahiyyah (sacrifice). Maliki scholars opine that the one with a broken horn can be used if no blood gushed forth from the injury.
Believers are free to slaughter their animals within the stipulated three days (10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah) which in practical terms begins today (Saturday October 4, 2014) and ends on Monday October 6, 2014. However, the first day (10thDhul-Hijjah), is preferred over the succeeding two days (i.e. 11th and 12thDhul-Hijjah). The slaughtering on each of the days is preferred before sunset. Anyone who slaughters his animal at night shall have made no sacrifice. If for any reason, including loss of animal intended for the sacrifice, one was unable to make the slaughtering before sunset; it is recommended that he exercises patience until the following morning. It is not permitted to sell anything out of the slaughter-animal; not even the hide or the waste products of the animal.
While we wish all pilgrims a blessed pilgrimage (Hajj Mabrur) and a safe trip back to their home countries, it is our prayer that Muslims around the world would have a peaceful and memorable Eidul-Kabir celebration. Kullu Aamin Wa Antum Bi Khairin!