From Islamic Voice
The history of offering blood or animal sacrifice is as old as religion or human history itself. In different ages, man has been expressing his faith and love, spirit of sacrifice and humility, selfless devotion and worship in different ways and for different reasons but the Shari’ah of Allah has reformed this human sentiment spiritually and morally, and directed it to Him alone. Man even presented human sacrifice at the altar of his deities, or the sacrifice of his own self, but Divine Laws forbade all such sacrifices and guided man to offer his sacrifices to no other than Allah Subhanhu Wa Ta’ala.
The first sacrifice of human history was offered by the two sons of Adam: Qabil (Cane) and Habil (Abel). Habil had offered the sacrifice of the best ram of his flock for the sake of Allah, whereas, Qabil offered a portion of useless corn unwillingly. The sacrifice of Habil was burnt up by a fire from Heaven, which was a sign of Allah’s acceptance, but Qabil’s offering was left alone which meant it was rejected.
The offering of animal sacrifice has been an essential part of the system of obedience of all Divine laws though the way and procedures might have been different for different ages and country. The Qur’an says, “We have appointed for every community a way of offering the sacrifice so that the people may mention the name of Allah over the cattle He has given them.” (22:34)
Animal sacrifice is a unique tradition offered by Muslims the world over every year in commemoration of the supreme act and spirit of sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim of his son Ismail. The expression of such a pledge is the very demand of the believer’s faith, the profession of Islam as a creed, and righteousness. The Qur’an described the essence as such: “When (Ismail) came of age to work for his father, he (Prophet Ibrahim) said to his son one day, “My son, I saw in a dream that I am sacrificing you, what do you say in this regard”? Ismail replied, “Father, carry out what you have been commanded. If Allah wills, you will find me patient and stead-fast.”
When both had submitted to Allah’s will and Ismael was cast down upon his face, a voice from Heaven called out, “O Ibrahim, you have indeed fulfilled your dream, thus do We reward the righteous. This was indeed a manifest trial. And we ransomed the boy by means of a great sacrifice, and left a tradition of Ibrahim for ever for the coming generations. Peace be upon Ibrahim for he was one of our believing servants.” (37-102)
The real place of offering the sacrifice is near Makkah at Mina where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims offer their sacrifice as an important rite of Hajj every year. But the Merciful Allah has not deprived the other Muslims living away from Makkah of this unique privilege of Hajj. The command of offering the sacrifice is general and is meant for all the well-to-do people as is confirmed by many traditions of the Holy Prophet (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Calip Umar reported “The person who does not offer the sacrifice even though he possesses the necessary means to do so, should not approach our Eid grounds.”
The Qur’an has referred to three objectives which must be borne in mind while offering a sacrifice.
(1) Sacrificial animals as symbols of Allah’s’s worship, as is written in Al-Qur’an, as is written in Al-Qur’an, “And we have included the camel among the signs of Allah for you.” (22:36)
(2) Offering the sacrifice is a practical expression of showing one’s gratitude to Allah for His many blessings. On this Allah say’s in Qur’an:
“Thus we subjected these animals to you so that you may express you gratitude.” (22:3) And
(3) Offering the sacrifice is declaration of Allah’s greatness and glory. The Qur’an says:
“Thus has Allah subjected the cattle to you so that you may extol His Greatness and Glory in accordance with His Guidance.” (22:37)
The sacrificial animals are the tangible signs and symbols which express the feelings of the one offering them in the way of Allah, thereby signifying that he intends to shed their blood in lieu of his own blood. Animals are a great blessing of Allah to man on account of their numerous benefits. We drink their milk, eat their flesh, put their skins, wool and bones to different uses and purposes. In referring to these benefits, the Qur’an reminds us that animals should be sacrificed in Allah’s name only for He alone has given them to man as a blessing.
Before the advent of Islam, people used to take the flesh of slaughtered animals to the Ka’abah and smear its walls with their blood. The Qur’an categorically stated that Allah does not stand in need of the flesh or blood, but he sees the spirit, feelings and intent of the person making the sacrifice. Any other intention contrary to this is void and therefore does not fulfil the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismael (May Allah be pleased with them). Allah Says in the Qur’an, “Their flesh and the blood do not reach Allah, what reaches Him is your piety.”
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