Muslims perform the act of Qurban (sacrifice) as a sign of obedience and thanksgiving to Allah ﷻ on Eid al-Adha one of the most important occasions in the Islamic calendar. According to several hadiths and Islamic teachings qurban is a highly recommended act of worship (sunnah muakkadah) for those who can afford it. What is the ruling on fattening the sacrificial animal prior to Dhul-Hijjah? What if the animal passes away from illness before the time of slaughter? These are some of the questions this article will answer based on reliable sources. What if the preparation for Qurban starts as early as the month of Shawwal?
The Islamic Qurban ruling
Qurban is one of the required acts of worship in Islam. Verse 2 of Surah Al-Kauthar in the Quran provides evidence for this:
Therefore pray(salah) and offer sacrifice to your Lord.
Furthermore according to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
Anyone who is wealthy but chooses not to make a qurban(sacrifice) should stay away from our place of prayer. (Narrated Ahmad and Ibn Majah).
For those who can afford it the ruling on Qurban is sunnah muakkadah or strongly advised. Some scholars like Imam Abu Hanifah believe that it is required for those who can afford it.
Also read:What Is The Fiqh View On Shawwal Fasting?
Getting ready for Qurban during Shawwal month
It is a praiseworthy and recommended custom to prepare the sacrificial animal during the month of Shawwal. The animal can be prepared for Qurban in one of two ways:
1. Buying an Animal Early to be Fatten Before Slaughtering: Buying the sacrificial animal in Shawwal and fattening it until it is time to slaughter it is the first method. Given that it guarantees the animal is in optimal condition this approach is obviously acceptable and encouraged. An animal that is healthy and fed is better for Qurban so fattening it is also a way to improve the quality of the worship.
2. Placing an Animal Order Under Salam Contract: An advance purchase with particular requirements known as a salam contract is the second way to order the animal. Regarding whether it is acceptable to use a salam contract for Qurban scholars still disagree. Because there may be notable differences between the delivered animal and the one that was ordered some academics contend that it is not permitted. Since the differences are not always substantial particularly if the specifications are explicitly agreed upon from the start the other opinion allows it. The second view is more powerful (rajih) in author’s view which means that salam for sacrificial animal is allowed.
How Does the Fattening Process Affect the Animals Life?
When it comes to fattening sacrificial animals the owner frequently assigns the work to a third party like a farmer or a specialized organization. The responsibility for replacing an animal that dies during the fattening process however is a topic of disagreement among scholars:
1. First Opinion: If an animal dies from disease or uncontrollable natural disasters the person who fattens it is not required to replace it. This viewpoint is predicated on the trust-based contract principle known as wakalah bil ujroh. Animal deaths are frequently brought on by circumstances outside the operators control like infectious diseases or natural disasters.
2. Second Opinion: If an animal dies from disease the person who fattens it must replace it. This viewpoint is founded on the idea of ijarah musytarakah in which the employee ensures the object of their labor. This viewpoint is less relevant though as uncontrollable circumstances frequently result in the animals demise.
The first view is more powerful (rajih) in author’s view which means the person who fattens the animal is not required to replace it unless carelessness or poor management resulted in its death.
Also read:The Story of Prophet Ibrahim in the Law of Qurban (Sacrifice)
Some Advice for Early Qurban Preparation
Early preparations are essential to a successful and seamless Qurban. First pick a good healthy animal that satisfies Islamic standards making sure it is in good shape and free of flaws. To keep the animal healthy and fed until it is time to be killed give it enough food and the right attention. It may be simpler to buy a premium animal and prevent last-minute financial strain if money is set aside for the month of Shawwal. To make sure the animal satisfies the necessary requirements and that all logistical arrangements are made work with the Qurban committee if the Qurban is performed collectively. You can perform your Qurban as best you can by following these steps carrying out this significant act of worship with diligence and sincerity.
In Conclusion
In accordance with Islamic teachings it is a good practice to buy and fatten an animal in preparation for Qurban starting in the month of Shawwal. It shows how seriously this act of worship is performed. But its crucial to make sure the animal satisfies Islamic standards and stays healthy until its time to kill it. Although it is advised the owner is not required to replace the animal if it passes away from illness prior to slaughter. The party in charge of fattening is also not required to replace the animal in the event of a wakalah bil ujroh contract unless negligence was the cause of the death. I pray that Allah ﷻ will accept our Qurban preparations. Ameen.
Also read:Essential Conditions for Qurban: What You Need to Know?
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References:
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