Encomium
Muslims are preparing to celebrate the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir in accordance Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah, as narrated in the Holy Quran.
But Eid-el-Kabir is not all about slaughtering and eating ram. What is needed or expected of a true Muslim is the intention and fear of Allah with which he slaughtered the animal.
There are different types of animals suitable for sacrifice in Eid-el-Kabir. And some of them include ram, cow, carmel, goat. Meanwhile, the teachings of the holy Quran has revealed ram as the most suitable for this purpose. Encomium.ng brings you the details on how to kill your ram and other animals for sallah…
It is said in (Qur’an 22:37) “That it is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah. It is your piety that reaches Him.”
It is the fear of Allah (SWT) that is mentioned in the above verse that will assist a Muslim to be able to follow Allah’s injunctions and the Holy Prophet’s (SAW) way of doing things. This includes sacrifice of animals for Eid-el-Kabir and for food.
ISLAM ON SACRIFICING ANIMALS
Almighty Allah instructed the Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) to “pray unto your God and sacrifice the animal.” (Qur’an, 2:108)
Animals that are permissible for Eid-el-Kabir – which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah for him to sacrifice his only son Ismail – are ram, goat, sheep, cow and camel.
Things To Do Before Killing Your Animal :
*Proclaim the intention by mentioning the name of Allah, Bisimillahi, Allahu Akbar, meaning in the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest.
It is very important before killing of the animals.
*A sharp knife must be used in cutting the jugular vein of the animal sharply to ensure a continuous and free flow of blood from the animal.
If the animals are killed by any other means apart from using a sharp knife, for example, a gun or arrow, such animals must not be eaten.
According to the Sharia, animals must be slaughtered with a sharp knife facing the Qibla. However, if for any reason this direction could not be faced, the Sharia permits that any other direction that is convenient can be faced, while such animal is Halal (allowed).
In the case of camel, however, a very sharp arrow must be used to kill it. Also, an arrow can be used to kill a cow if, for any reason, it is not convenient to use a knife.
If the knife being used to slaughter the sacrificial animal is not sharpened enough to cut the veins at once, such that the person slaughtering it lifted the knife up and finally completed the slaughtering, such an animal is forbidden to be eaten by Muslims. It should be thrown away. If cattle or poultry birds are killed in this
manner, they become Haram.
Names of Allah that have to be mentioned when one intends to kill animal are Bisimillahi; Subhanalla; Allahu Akbar; Lau la wa lakuwata illabi lahi; Alhamdulilahi or at least Allah. As long as you mention
one of these, the animal is fit for eating. It is also recommended that after mentioning one of these names of Allah, one should add Rabbana taqabbali mina, meaning: “Oh Allah, accept it from us.” This is not only for animals slaughtered for Eid but also for all occasions, such as a baby’s naming ceremony or Hadayah, animal slaughtered by Hujjaj (pilgrims performing Hajj) to atone for Hajj rites, or for marriages.
THOSE ELIGIBLE TO SLAUGHTER RAM
*Slaughtering animals for any Islamic rite, according to the Sharia, must be done by a Muslim man or woman.
*But if he/she is unable to do this, they can hire someone who is knowledgeable to do it for them at a price. It is not compulsory to give that ‘hired’ person a portion of the animal meat.
*It is good to get helpers to slaughter animals for others, especially those who cannot afford it.
The Sharia forbids an underaged and non-knowledgeable person to kill the animal.
*Also forbidden to slaughter animals are drunks – someone under the influence of alcohol; thugs, an unbeliever or an uncircumcised person.
However, the Sharia does permit women who are menstruating to slaughter the animal.
TIMES RECOMMENDED FOR SLAUGHTERING ANIMAL
*Slaughtering of animals during Sallah starts after Eid, when the Imam might have killed a ram at Eid ground from the sunrise, till the sun is about to set.
*The Sharia allows for three days to kill animals for Eid-el-Kabir.
* It is forbidden to kill animals in the night so as to avoid slaughtering them improperly, as well as avoiding putting the poor at inconvenience, who are to be given portions of the animal meat. But if it is for home consumption (not Eid), it can be killed at anytime.
*It has been stated that aquatic animals are acceptable to eat without having to slaughter them. Example of such animals are fish, among others.
* Muslims are forbidden to eat pigs, hamstrung animals, animals that fall from a height and die (for example, birds that are shot), animals gored to death by another animal, remnants of hunting animals like dogs, sacrificed animals by the disbelievers.
THESE ARE ANIMALS THAT ARE RECOMMENDED
The Holy Prophet (SAW) says that Allah is Holy and will not accept anything unholy from anyone. In view of this, anyone who has the intention of slaughtering animals to worship Allah (SWT) must do so
with the best intention devoid of any mundane motive.
*He/She must buy animals that are healthy and have been treated ethically.
* Animals that are recommended for this should be –
*For camels, a six-year-old camel,
*A four-year-old cow, while a ram, goat or sheep should be, at least, a year old.
Note that it is allowed for people up to seven in number to contribute money to jointly buy a larger animal.
ANIMALS THAT ARE FORBIDDEN FOR EID AND HOME CONSUMPTION ARE:
*A blind animal, either one or the two eyes;
*An animal with any form of disease;
*A deformed animal, either in its legs or any part of its body;
*An emaciated animal (anorexic!);
*An animal whose tail is cut off by more than one-third without healing,
*An animal whose ears are torn over one-third; any animal that has a broken horn by over one-third. If it is not up to one-third and it is healed, it is permissible for slaughter.
– Shukurat Alimi for encomium.ng
