Stop Abuse of Animals Brought for Sacrifice

It’s quite unfortunate these days sacrificial animals (for Qurbani/Udhuiya) are treated as a matter of amusement by children, or purchased as mere commodity by sane adult Muslims. In fact the reason why the livestock (particularly goat/sheep/…) are abused is mainly because the adults do not stop their children from mistreating the poor herbivore. Quran clearly says:

Do not show disrespect towards the sacrificial animal (bought for Eid-ul-Adha or Bakri-Eid or in general) nor garlanded animals (selected to be sacrificed for Hajj)... ~ Quran 5:2

So how does this abuse happen? 

To get a perspective, recall these common sight that are exhibited by our kids/teenagers/ adults during the first ashra (first 10 days) of Dhul-Hijjah.

• making a donkey/horse out of the sacrificial animal
• prank, poke, prod, tease, box, ridicule or make fun of them
• use them to race with other livestock
• drag them unnecessarily when the goat/lamb doesn’t wish to walk
• rub live cigarette butts on their bodies
• feed them tobacco and provoke them to fight other counterparts
• and so on!

Did our Prophet (pbuh) teach us this? Is this how we follow the Sunnah of Ibrahim (a.s.)? Didn't our Prophet (pbuh) say,

There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Udhiya than the sacrificing of animals. ~ Ibn Majah

Muslims who make fun of (sacrificial) animals do not realise that on the day of resurrection Allah will settle the scores between all those who are brought back to life, including animals. The same goat or sheep or lamb will be asked to settle the score with the children/men who treated them badly before they were sacrificed! The Prophet (pbuh) said,

All rights will be restored on the Day of Judgment, to the extent that even the hornless animal will be allowed to avenge itself on the one with horns. ~ Muslim 2582

Remember

The Prophet (pbuh) said

Allah has promised reward for every fiber of wool/hair of the animal which is sacrificed ~ Ibn Majah

The Quran says:

It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. ~ Quran 22:37

So ask yourself if you will get the reward from Allah or is your so-called sacrifice turning out to be counterproductive?

Also remember that it is disliked to sacrifice four types of animals: the one-eyed blind animal, sick animal, lame animal that limps, weak animal with no marrow. ~ Tirmidhi 1497 | Nasai 4370

In conclusion

This message is also for those adults who see this mockery happen and don’t say a word – be it their children or the children of their locality. This message is for the parents who directly/indirectly encourage their near ones to commit this grave sin. This message is for those parents who invariably place their toddlers on the back of the livestock thus showing disrespect to the one that will be sacrificed in the name of Allah.

The first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah (last month of Islamic calendar) is the most blessed in Islam. The Prophet (pbuh) said,

There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days.... ~ Ibn Majah 1/7/1727

So how can we disgrace and disrespect animals that we bring to our house for sacrifice?

Related Post:

• Animal Rights in Islam Institutionalized 1400 years ago

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