Quranic Verses Regarding Sacrifice
Numerous verses in the Quran address the topic of sacrifice. Here are some notable examples:
- Allah, the Exalted, says: (Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. He has no partner. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.”)
- Allah, the Exalted, states: (So that they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah during the appointed days over that which He has provided for them from the animals of sacrifice. So eat from them and feed the poor and needy.)
- Allah, the Exalted, affirms: (And for every nation We have appointed a rite, that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of the animals of sacrifice. So your God is one God; to Him alone submit, and give good tidings to the humble.)
- Allah, the Exalted, mentions: (And the sacrificial animals We have made for you as among the symbols of Allah; therein is good for you. So mention the name of Allah upon them when they are lined up for sacrifice. And when their sides have fallen, eat from them and feed the contented and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.)
- Allah, the Exalted, recounts: (And when he was old enough to work with him, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the patient.” And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Abraham, you have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.)
- Allah, the Exalted, says: (Indeed, We have granted you Al-Kauthar; so pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].)
Prophetic Hadiths on Sacrifice
There are many hadiths that discuss the concept of sacrifice. Here are a few notable ones:
- Al-Jundub ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: (“We sacrificed with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) on the day of sacrifice. Some people had sacrificed their animals before the prayer. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw them, he said, ‘Whoever has sacrificed prior to the prayer should sacrifice again in its place, and whoever has not sacrificed yet, let him do so in the name of Allah.’)”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: (“There is nothing that a son of Adam does on the Day of Sacrifice that is more beloved to Allah than the shedding of blood. The sacrificed animals will come on the Day of Resurrection with their horns, hair, and hooves; and indeed, the blood will reach Allah before it reaches the ground, so let your hearts be content with the sacrifice.”)
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) declared: (“Whoever finds the means to sacrifice and does not, let him not approach our prayer place.”)
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: (“It is an obligation upon every household to perform a sacrifice.”)
- Al-Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (“Indeed, Allah has prescribed excellence in all things. So when you kill, kill well; and when you slaughter, slaughter well. And let one of you sharpen his blade and spare the animal from suffering.”)
Hadiths on Sacrifice Specifications
Several hadiths elaborate on the specifications of acceptable sacrifices. Here are a few:
- Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: (“The Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed two ram-like sheep that were both white and horned, he slaughtered them with his own hands, invoked the name of Allah, and placed his foot on their sides.”)
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) instructed: (“Do not sacrifice except for the mature ones, unless you find it difficult, in which case you may sacrifice a young sheep.”)
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) affirmed: (“The best of sacrifices is the horned ram.”)
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised: (“There are four types of animals that are not permissible as sacrifices: the clearly blind one, the clearly sick one, the limping one with a pronounced limp, and the one that is too emaciated to provide meat.”)