Zulhijja

Zhulhijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar. Literally, it means "hajj." Obviously, this name of the month indicates that the great annual worship of "hajj" is performed in this month, which gives it special significance. Some specific merits and rules relevant to this month are mentioned below:

FIRST TEN DAYS OF ZHUL HIJJAH

The first ten days of Zhulhijjah are among the most magnificent days in the Islamic calendar. The Holy Prophet (pbuh), has said, "One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship in the "Lailatul-Qadr"(Tirmidhi).

THE 9TH DAY OF ZHULHIJJAH

The 9th day of Zhulhijjah is called 'Youmul - "Arafah' (The Day of 'Arafah). This is the date when the Hujjaj (Haji pilgrims) assemble on the plain of 'Arafat, six miles away from Makkah al-Mukarramah, where they perform the most essential part of the prescribed duties of hajj, namely, the 'Wuqoof of'Arafat (the stay in 'Arafat).

THE FAST OF YOUMUL 'ARAFAH

For those not performing hajj, it is mustahabb (desirable) to fast on this day according to their own calendar. It sometimes occurs that 9th Zhulhijjah falls on different days in different countries according to the sighting of the moon. In such cases, Muslims of each country should observe 'Youmul'Arafah according to the lunar dates of their own country.

The fast of 'Youmul 'Arafah' has been emphasized by the Holy Prophet (pbuh), as a mustahabb (desirable) act. According to a hadith, the fast of this day becomes a cause of forgiveness for sins committed in one year (Muslim)

TAKBIR

ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, LA ILAHA ILLALLAHU, WALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR WA LILLAHILHAMD.

(There is no god but ALLAH and ALLAH Is the greatest, ALLAH is the greatest and to ALLAH belongs all praise.)

ON THE EID DAY

The following acts are sunnah on the day of Eidul- adha:

1. To wake up early in the morning.

2. To clean one's teeth with a miswak or brush

3. To take a bath.

4. To put on one's best available clothes.

5. To use perfume.

6. Not to eat before the Eid prayer.

7. To recite the Takbir of Tashriq in a loud voice while going to the Eid prayer.

KHUTBAH: THE ADDRESS OF EIDUL-ADHA

In the salah of Eid, Khutbah is a sunnah and is delivered after the salah, unlike the salah of Jumu'ah where it is fard and is delivered before the salah. However, listening to the khutbah of Eid salah is wajib or necessary and must be listened to in perfect peace and silence.

SACRIFICE OR QURBANI: PHILOSOPHY AND RULES

The Urdu and Persian word Qurbani (Sacrificial slaughter) is derived from the Arabic word Qurban. Lexically, it means an act performed to seek ALLAH's pleasure or nearness. Originally, the word Qurban included all acts of charity because the purpose of charity is nothing but to seek ALLAH's pleasure. But, in precise religious terminology, the word was later confined to the sacrifice of an animal slaughtered for the sake of ALLAH. Even in pagan societies, the sacrifice of an animal is recognized as a form of worship, but it is done in the name of some idols and not in the name of ALLAH, a practice totally rejected by Islam. In the Shari'ah of our beloved Prophet (pbuh), the sacrifice of an animal has been recognized as a form of worship only during three days of Zhulhijjah, namely, the 10th, 11th and 12th of the month. This is to commemorate the unparalleled sacrifice offered by the Prophet Ibrahim (a.s), when he, in pursuance to a command of ALLAH conveyed to him in a dream, prepared himself to slaughter his beloved son, Isma'il (a.s), and actually did so but, ALLAH Almighty, after testing his submission, sent down a sheep and saved his son from the logical fate of slaughter. It is from that time onwards that the sacrifice of an animal became a duty to be performed by every well to do Muslim.

THE TIME OF QURBANI

Qurbani can only be performed during the three days of Eid, namely the 10th, 11th and 12th of Zhulhijjah. It is only in these days that slaughtering of an animal is recognized as an act of worship. No Qurbani can be performed in any other days of the year. Although Qurbani is permissible on each of the three aforesaid days, yet it is preferable to perform it on the first day i.e. the 10th of Zhulhijjah. No Qurbani is allowed before the Eid prayer is over.

WHO IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM QURBANI?

Udhiya/ Qurbani / Sacrifice is wajib on every muslim with the ability to do it. Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, 'Whoever has the ability and strength to sacrifice and does not do it should not come to the Muslim's Eidgah (a place where Eid prayers are offered)'. [Ibn Majah]

NO ALTERNATE FOR QURBANI

Some people think that instead of offering a Qurbani they should give its amount to some poor people as charity. This attitude is totally wrong. Actually, there are different forms of worship obligatory on Muslims. Each one of them has its own importance and none of them can replace the other. It is not permissible for a Muslim to perform salah instead of fasting in Ramadan, nor is it permissible for him to give some charity instead of observing the obligatory Salah. Similarly, Qurbani is an independent form of worship and this obligation cannot be discharged by spending money in charity.

THE ANIMALS OF QURBANI

The following animals can be slaughtered to offer a Qurbani:

1. Goat, either male or female, of at least one year of age.

2. Sheep, either male or female, of at least six months of age.

3. Cow, ox buffalo of at least two years of age.

4. Camel, male or female, of at least five years of age.

One head of goat or sheep is enough only for one person's Qurbani. But as for all other animals like cow, buffalo or camel, one head of each is equal to seven offerings thus allowing seven persons to offer Qurbani jointly in one such animal.

RULES ABOUT DEFECTIVE ANIMALS

The following defective animals are not acceptable in Qurbani:

1. Blind, one eyed or lame animal.

2. An animal so emaciated that it cannot walk to its slaughtering place.

3. An animal with one-third part of the ear or the nose or the tail missing.

4. An animal that has no teeth at all, or the major number of its teeth are missing.

5. An animal born without ears.

THE SUNNAH METHOD OF QURBANI

It is more preferable for a Muslim to slaughter the animal of his Qurbani with his own hands. However, if he is unable to slaughter the animal himself, or does not want to do so for some reason, he can request another person to slaughter it on his behalf. In this case also, it is more preferable that he, at least, be present at the time of slaughter. However, his absence at the time of slaughter does not render the Qurbani invalid, if he has authorized the person who slaughtered the animal on his behalf. It is a Sunnah to lay the animal with its face towards the Qiblah, and to recite the following verse of the Holy Quran:

إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّماَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفَاً وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ . إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ المُسْلِمِينَ ، اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَلَكَ

When making Qurbani, place the animal facing the Qibla and recite:

"Verily I have turned my face to that Being who has created the skies and the Earth in the state of the Straight Deen of Ibrahim - and I am not amongst the Mushrikeen. Definitely, my Prayer, my Worship and my living and dying is all for ALLAH, who is the Lord of the worlds, and who has no partner. I have been ordered (all that passed) I am amongst the Muslimeen (the obedient). O ALLAH this sacrifice is due to You granting us the ability to do so and it is for You". (Mishkat)

After عَنْ mention the name of the person in whose name the sacrifice is made and if it is from oneself then state the name. After this recite and slaughter the animal. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Mishkat)

DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEAT

If an animal is sacrificed by more than one person, like cow or camel, its meat should be distributed equally among its owners by weighing the meat strictly and not at random or by mere guess. Even if all the partners agree on its distribution without weighing, it is still not permissible according to shari'ah. Although the person offering a Qurbani can keep all its meat for his own use, yet, it is preferable to distribute one-third among the poor, another one third among his relatives and then, keep the rest for his personal consumption. All parts of the sacrificed animal can be used for personal benefit, but none can be sold, nor can be given to the butcher as a part of his wages.