Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Second,

why would Allah, who is the epitome of mercy want us to sacrifice hallal animals, his own creation?  Do you remember the uproar created by the president of the animal rights group, Brigitte Bardot in France?  She condemned Muslims of being barbarians for the sacrifices of animals.  Millions of animals used to be sacrificed and wasted (buried) in the &nbssacrifice.  I know we sacrifice to commomerate the unselfish and complete surrender and obedience of prophet Ibrahim (may peace be upon him) to Allah's cammand to sacrifice his own flesh and blood, namely his own son Ismail (a.s).

Thank you and looking forward for enlightened explainations from the holy Quaran and/or the Sunnah.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Why sacrifice animals?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Subhanah is the Creator of all things in existence, and being the Creator it is His Right Alone to give whatever rights He Wills to each of His creation!

But unfortunately, we live in times today, where some seemingly educated-but-ignorant self-righteous people have taken upon themselves the right which belongs to the Creator Alone; and in their ignorance and arrogance have declared who should be given what rights in creation! The educated-but-ignorant and arrogant human beings have decided for themselves that animals must be given rights, but the same are more than willing to compromise the rights of their Lord and Creator!

The Sublime Creator is the One Who created everything in existence, and He Alone has the Right to decide who amongst His creation is given what rights! He created mankind and gave man the right to eat from amongst the halaal animals and of the vegetation; but some ignorant and arrogant self-righteous people feel that it is cruelty to kill and eat animals, but in their ignorance little do they realize that today science has proved that even plants have feelings and life: so just imagine the chaos another celebrity may create when one day they will declare that it is cruel to kill and eat plants!!!

If we follow the whims and fancies of human beings in preference to the Will and Laws of Allah Subhanah; we will indeed be amongst the misguided losers!

The All Knowing and Sublime Creator has declared the rights of each of His creation, and has allowed mankind to eat of the halaal animals and vegetation; and Allah and His Messenger (saws) have given appropriate rights to the animals according to their nature:

1. That an animal should be appropriately fed.
2. That a beast of burden should not be overloaded.
3. That only the halaal animals may be slaughtered for feeding mankind.
4. That the animal should not be slaughtered in front of another live animal.
5. That an animal which is to be slaughtered must not be dragged to its place of slaughter.
6. That a sharp knife or cutting instrument must be used to slaughter the animal.
7. That the animal must be slaughtered in the manner prescribed in Shariah, which is the absolute best and fastest way of slaughter and one which causes the animal the minimum amount of pain.

Etc.

The choice we, as believers in Allah and the Last Day, have is to follow the Guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws) or follow the whims and fancies of some self-righteous and ignorant celebrity!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 22 Surah Hajj verses 36-37:

36 The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the Symbols from Allah: in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter) eat ye thereof and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment and such as beg with due humility: thus have we made animals subject to you that ye may be grateful.

37 It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you: and proclaim the Good News to all who do right.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 40 Surah Mumim verses 79-81:

79 It is Allah Who made cattle for you that ye may use some for riding and some for food;

80 And there are (other) advantages in them for you; that ye may through them attain to any need (there may be) in your hearts; and on them and on ships ye are carried.

81 And He shows you always His Signs; then which of the Signs of Allah will ye deny?

To Allah we all belong, and to Him is our ultimate return!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan