Sacrificing the animals is a Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh), which is not binding like prayer and fasting. However, it is a part of the Hajj rituals and those who are offering hajj must sacrifice (except for during hajj-i-Ifraad). There is no Nisaab for offering sacrifices just as is the case with performing Hajj. One knows when he can offer Hajj or Qurbani and under what circumstances he cannot.

As regards the matter of giving the amount that ones has spared for Qurbani in charity, i do not thing the act should be objected to. In certain circumstances i may prefer that and to God my act may be considered equal to slaughtering an animal or even more rewarding in the eyes of the Almighty. But in absence of any sound reason and compelling situation i would opt for offering the sacrifice. It is a symbolic expression of my yearn to offerer everything that i have i the way of Allah including my life. And giving the money away just to avoid the bother of slaughterig the animal and other issues may indicate lack of concern from my part.

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However, the question remains that if a person faces a situation where he has to help someone in dire circumstance but in doing so, he cannot sacrifice on the Eid for lack of resources, he should, in my humble opinion, help out his poor fellow instead of sacrificing.

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I know your question is directed toward Mr. Zest, who I expect would be responding to this.

I however would like to say that I agree on the point that dire need is a relevant term in the sense how much closeness you have with the person whose needs should be fulfilled on priority basis. I also agree on the point that rituals should not be forsaken under normal circumstances of life, which includes both favorable and unfavorable around the globe. It is actually your responsibility toward someone that you have to let go of some ritual to discharge your responsibility with which you are entrusted. When I said: where he has to help someone in dire circumstances, I was only referring to a situation where close association is involved---an association which puts on your shoulder some real responsibility. It is actually all relevant. Each and every person should decide, of course with utmost sincerity, what he should to in order to please His Lord in a given circumstance.




Edited by - jhangeer hanif on January 26 2004 16:07:28

I would like to ask Mr.Zest that how does he specify this ritual sacrifice with the ritual of Hajj when as Mr. Jhangir has rightly said that the Holy Prophet always adhered to this ritual.

The detail directives regarding all the Sunan have been handed down to us by the consensus of the Ummah over the history. It has always been clear that the Sunnah of Qurbani is not binding as the prayer or Zakah is. However, for those who are performing Hajj it has been rendered obligatory with the only exception of hajj ifraaad.

It is only Imam Abu Hanifa who said it is obligatory for those who afford it and are not on journey. But even his pupils, Imam Muhamad and Abu Yousaf did not acknowledge this opinion. They say it is not obligatory. See for details: Bidayah
al Mujtahid and Nihayah al Muqtasid (http://www.al-eman.com/feqh/viewchp.asp?BID=231&CID=15#s13)

I do not think that ritual of Qurbani can be replaced. It is a worship wihc symbolizes our passion of sacrificing ourselves in the way of Allah. It is an established Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad and an integral part of the basic religious fabric.

What would you say if someone suggests that people should leave the worship of ritual prayer and should work and give the money earned away for the betterment of the soceity, or what other virtuous deed they can think of?

This world has not seen any period of time when there were no people who were suffering and in need to financial help. It may be true for a particular region in a particular era that people were so affluent that they would not need financial help. But not about mankind in commonality!

If we assume, for a moment, that Pakistani people are not in need of financial help, then there is the whole Africa which is in dire need of help. I am not saying that we should not extend financial help to others. What I am saying is that this world has never seen a time when people were not afflicted with plight and miseries unimaginable. Unless and until, some real responsibility is rest on our shoulder, we cannot let go of important practices which attach us to the Lord. Moreover, it is these practices which remind us of Allah and infuse us with the spirit to spend in His way. If we were to renounce these practices for the sake of poverty alleviation, we would eventually end up spending nothing or spending only to boast and show off. Why? Because there would be no remembrance of God as a result of giving up religious practices.