Qurbani — May the blood flow, Taqwa grow and… Allah be Pleased!
Human nature, unless corrupted, does not gain pleasure from the displeasure of anyone. Thus, we find ourselves dreading the displeasure of people! Displeasure displays itself in various ways. When people are displeased with us or we are displeased with anyone, the displeasure would be conveyed in some way or the other.
We will perhaps be cold towards that person. We may even avoid that person. A person may tell someone even to get lost. However, the strongest revulsion must surely be when we tell someone “don’t even come near to me”.
Our beloved Nabi Salallahu alaihi wasallam displays such revulsion to those who do not perform Qurbani despite the means to do so, that he has banned them from coming even NEAR to THE Eidghah. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah Radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallahu alayhi wasallam said that the person who has means of performing Qurbani but does not do so should not even come NEAR our Eidghah.
The Best of Days are these Days. And the Best of Deeds in these days is the deed of Qurbani.
Sayyidatuna Aa’ishah (Radiyallahu Anha) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “There is nothing dearer to Allah Ta’ala during the days of Qurbani than sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart” (Tirmizi, Hadith #: 1493)
The Spirit of Qurbani: O, they looked like a bunch of wild unkempt tramps, these brothers of ours who were seen red-blood eyes. It was just after Eid-ul-Fitr. A mini bus filled with them with a trailer filled with bags and cooler boxes etc. Tired and fatigue was written all over their faces. It appeared that they returned from some war.
Their story is truly amazing. Year after year, they set out immediately after Eid-ul-Fits to search the mountains and the farms, the ranches and small holdings for the best of the best animals to please Allah Ta’ala. The search will continue for at least a week. Allah Ta’ala had blessed them with plenty of wealth. They wish to give Allah the Best of animals. And so they travel and take notes. And so they travel and debate. And so they travel and leave aside their comforts and families. They ache and they bleed, they despair and they fear failure. The best of animals it has to be. It is nopt just giving money or writing a cheque…it is something much more. It is eyes that search and scrutinise the animal. It is analysing the animal from tail to teeth. It is the sheer joy of beholding the beauty of the animal.
By Allah, even the angels marvel at this spirit, this understanding of what Qurbani is, this Love and Devotion unto Allah, Most High, this fierce commitment to find the best of the best! May Allah Taa’la make us like them where our faces become radiant with joy at the sight of the qurbani animal. May our hearts beat with Love for that Allah who has given us so much and asked for so little in return.
Sayyidatuna Aa’ishah (Radiyallahu Anha) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “There is nothing dearer to Allah Ta’ala during the days of Qurbani than sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart”.
It has been mentioned that after being saved from the raging inferno of Namrud, as a token of Love and appreciation unto Allah Subhanahu wata’ala, Hadhrat Ebrahim alaihi salaam sacrificed 1000 rams, 300 oxen and 100 camels. When someone praised this enormous sacrifice,
Hadhrat Ebrahim alaihi salaam said:
“These sacrifices are nothing. Allah Ta’ala owns me and whatever I have. If I had a son, I would have sacrificed him as well!”
Allah Ta’ala granted him a son. Thirteen years after he made his statement, Allah Ta’ala reminded him of his words. Hadhrat Ebrahim alaihi salaam rose to the occasion and was prepared to match his words with deeds. What a level of Sidq (Truthfulness)!
On the other hand, how often do we not make boastful claims without realizing the implications of what we say? Many woman in angrily demand Talaaq; others challenge the husband to take another wife; husbands threaten that they will find another better wife; businessman make rash pledges — and yet when Allah Ta’ala puts one to test, we hopelessly fail.
