IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO PARE NAILS AND CUT HAIR BEFORE THE SACRIFICE?
This could be understood from the following ‘Hadith’:
Hazrat Umm-e- Salama radiyallahu anha reports that the Apostle of Allah said, "Whoever sights the crescent moon of ‘Zul-Hijjah’ and is intending to make a sacrifice should refrain from cutting his bodily hair and paring his nails". (Muslim)
Thus after sighting the ‘Zul-hijjah’ crescent, it is desirable for a man intending to make a sacrifice to refrain from cutting the hair of his body and paring his nails till he has slaughtered the animal. This is because he is making a sacrifice in lieu of the sacrifice of his own life. Each part of the sacrificial animal is in lieu of each part of his own body.
The Holy Prophet has given this order that no part of his body may be absent at the time of the descent of divine mercy. If more than forty days have passed one should not be idle in removing unwanted hair, nails, etc, in order to save oneself from ‘karaahat’ (abomination).
WHAT IS THE BEST MANNER OF OFFERING IT?
It is preferable that one selects on animals oneself, nourishes it and becomes familiar with it, as this animal is to become the means great recompense and not only that, but it is a substitute for the sacrifice of ones own child.
IS A SACRIFICE CARRIED OUT IN ANOTHER PLACE VALID?
As for getting the ‘Qurbani’ done in other places one deprives oneself from all the aforementioned blessings. If it is carried out on account of some ‘Uzr’ (disability) or legal expediency, one can hope for the whole or even more reward for it all depends on the correct method and intention. One can also organise sacrifice at ones native land in order to fulfil the rights of ones relatives.
WHAT IS THE RULE REGARDING THE MEAT?
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 friends and relatives, and then keep the rest for his personal consumption. Thus, if possible, one should eat its meat on the very day.
IS IT PERMISSIBLE IN THE SHARIAH TO MAKE THE ANIMAL UNCONSCIOUS BY GUN OR CURRENT BEFORE SLAUGHTERING IT?
There are a few grave defects in this so-called humane method of slaughtering. This has been explained in great detail by Hazrat Aqdas Hakeemul-Ummah, Mujadid –ul-Millah, Moulana Ashraf Ali Sahed Thanwi (May Allah fill his grave with light), in his book Imdadul-Fatawaa and also the Mufti of Mazahirul- Uloom, Sahranpoor. I briefly mention the details of this. This method is not permissible in any circumstance whatsoever.
It is the Muslims ‘fardh’ and duty that they do their best in putting an end to this means of slaughtering and that they never slaughter in this manner again.
1. The jurists have clarified that it is prohibited to inflict pain to an animal when there is no benefit in doing so. It is stated in the book Dur-ul-Mukhtar:
"Any sort of pain infliction, which is of no benefit, is ‘makrooh’ (undesirable), for example; the cutting off the head and the skinning of the animal before the animal becomes still i.e. ceases to shake and shiver."
Since the aforementioned blow is not sufficient for slaughtering, therefore, it obviously is a means of hurting the animal without there being any benefit in doing so and this is prohibited in the ‘Shariah’. If anyone were to say that by this method no pain comes to the animal, but in fact it helps in discharging the blood from the body and it also idles the senses, then this is not true. The reason for this is that before it became unconscious the senses of the animal had been sound and after unconsciousness the breaking of the senses is not certain. It is possible that with the use of this instrument the movement becomes still, yet the senses remain sound. This is also stated in the book Dur-ul-Mukhtar:
"The nullification of the senses is not necessary for the inactivity of movement."
It is apparent that in the state of the senses remaining sound the use of this instrument will be means of no pain.
2. The ‘Shariah’ has stated that the purpose of slaughtering is to discharge flowing blood. It is obvious that, when conscious, the natural health of the body will be stronger, and further more, this is also evident that the discharging of flowing blood is an act of the healthy body. Hence the stronger the body health the more blood will be discharged. Thus, the purpose of the ‘Shariah’ will be fulfilled to a greater extent. Therefore, to cause less blood to discharge by weakening the body health purposefully is not permissible in the ‘Shariah’, as it leads to opposing the purpose of slaughtering.
3. The third point which is the most detestable, when the first two are disregarded, is enough to clarify its impermissibility. This is that the person who carries this out will believe that this manner of slaughtering is more commendable than the way shown by the ‘Shariah’ (where the animal is not made unconscious). In respect of this he will think the method (of slaughtering) shown by the ‘Shariah’ as being inferior and defective, and to give priority to invention over revelation is close to ‘kufr’. Allah knows best and He is The Most Wise.
IF QURBANI WAS NOT OFFERED IN THE SPECIFIED DAYS IS THERE ANY SUBSTITUTE?
If somebody out of his/her ignorance and negligence, did not offer ‘Qurbani’ on the three prescribed days (10th, 11th and 12th ‘Zulhijjah’) they should then give the price of the ‘Qurbani’ as ‘sadaqah’ (alms and charity) This does not mean that Sadakah is an alternative, this will only be the case when it is not offered on the prescribed days, thus there is no alternative to ‘Qurbani’ in the prescribed days.
CONCLUSION
Finally I end by quoting the following ‘Hadith’:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah reports that the Apostle of Allah has said : "Whoever has the capacity to sacrifice and does not do so, should not come to the place where the Eid prayer is offered." (Ibn Majah). Hence we can understand the importance of ‘Udhiya’ from the above ‘Hadith’, therefore each and every Muslim who is obliged should offer it, and if possible within their domicile. This will not only create an atmosphere of ‘Eid’ and ‘Qurbani’ in the community but will also serve as a lesson for generations to come.
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