Is Qurbani Farz?
Qurbani/Udhiya is performed on Eid al-Adha to remember Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice, which is referenced in the Qur’an. It is a ceremony for Muslims where they sacrifice an animal during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. Allah says,
"Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)." - Al-Kawthar 108:2Qurbani is a highly significant and widely practiced religious observance among Muslims all over the world. The question is Qurbani farz (obligatory) or not is an important one and requires some explanation.
What is Qurbani?
Qurbani is the sacred slaying of a goat, sheep, cow, or camel in Islam’s twelfth and final month, Dhul Hijjah. It is performed to honor how the Prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail in Allah’s command.
Financially able Muslims must perform Qurbani. It can be done by non-Hajj pilgrims on the 10th, 11th, or 12th day of Dhul Hijjah. The butchered animal’s meat is divided into three parts: one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for the needy.
Qurbani is a way to worship Allah and ask for his forgiveness and blessings. Muslims can also give to the needy and foster a communal spirit.
Is Qurbani Farz (Required)
Many scholars debate on is Qurbani farz or sunnah? Is Qurbani mandatory or not? As every year Muslims around the world perform Qurbani in Eid-ul-Adha, many assume Qurbani fard. But it is not. It is a highly encouraged Sunnah. The Prophet (SAW) declared,
"On this day of ours, we will first offer the (Eid) prayer before going back to do the sacrifice. Whoever performs this does it in accordance with our Sunnah.” - BukhariAbout Qurbani being farz or not, has more than one answer. Most Islamic scholars say that Qurbani is not farz, but rather a sunnah mu’akkadah. It is a highly recommended act that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his followers did often.
On the other hand, the Hanafi school of thinking holds that Qurbani is wajib and obligatory. While wajib deeds are still highly essential and, in the Hanafi school of thought, are regarded as responsibilities upon Muslims (i.e., one should not purposefully miss them), farz actions are mandatory based on unambiguous proof.
No matter what school of thought you subscribe to, performing the Qurbani is extremely rewarding because the Prophet (saw) himself did it and exhorted his followers to follow suit. Even though Qurbani is not farz, it is strongly promoted and has many spiritual benefits.
Despite this disagreement, the vast majority of Muslims consider qurbani to be a highly important and rewarding practice. It is performed by millions of Muslims around the world each year. The purpose of Qurbani is to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ismail (peace be upon him) as an act of obedience to Allah and to express our gratitude and submission to Allah by sacrificing an animal in his name.
In conclusion, while there is some debate among scholars regarding the status of Qurbani as farz or sunnah, it is widely considered to be a highly effective and recommended practice among Muslims and is an important aspect of the Islamic faith and tradition.
Who Should Offer Qurbani?
The Hanafi school says that any Muslim who has the Nisab value and is an adult and stable must give a Qurbani. So, if you are allowed to pay Zakat, you must make a Qurbani.
Maliki and Hanbali both say that the person in charge of a home can do the Qurbani for them.
It is not unusual for two or more people who pay Zakat to live in the same home today. The best thing to do is for everyone who pays Zakat to bring their own Qurbani.
So, Qurbani is not obligatory for all Muslims. It depends on their wealth. If they are wealthy enough to give Zakat, then they should offer Qurbani every year on Eid-Ul-Adah.
Significance of Qurbani
Every ablebodied Muslims should perform Qurbani on Eid-ul-Adha. The act of Qurbani is done to remember how Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) to do what Allah told him to do. But Allah replaced Ismail with a ram, so the offering of the animal shows that Prophet Ibrahim did what Allah told him to do. Qurbani is seen as a religious duty for Muslims who have enough money to pay for it.
The meat of the slaughtered animal is split into three parts. One part is kept for the family, one part is given to friends and family, and the last part is given to people who are poor and in need. This act of kindness and giving is a big part of Qurbani, and it helps build community spirit and unity.
Qurbani is seen as a way to show Allah that you love and obey him and to ask for his forgiveness and rewards. It also gives Muslims a chance to share their good fortune with those who have less and to work for social justice and equality. Qurbani is a way for Muslims to remember how important suffering, faith, and submission to Allah’s will are. It also brings Muslims closer together.
Perform Qurbani
By practising Qurbani, you can fulfil your commitment as a Muslim and demonstrate your loyalty to Allah (SWT). Though there is different opinions in scholar regarding the question is Qurbani farz or not. But every scholars have agreed that it brings a lot of blessings of Allah. They encouraged Muslims to perform Qurbani if they are eligible. If you do not perform Qurbani willingly, you sure are missing a lot of rewards from Allah (SWA).
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said:
"Whoever can afford it but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place."
- Hasan/Sound. - [Ibn Maajah]
Muslims demonstrate their unity through Qurbani. They also provide charity to people in need. Along with providing mercy to their brothers and sisters who are going through difficult circumstances, they also learn patience and become conscious of the mercy Allah (SWT) decides to bestow.
