12 Virtues of Animal Sacrifice in Islam

Indeed every command of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala always has a wisdom, although that is difficult to live. As the story of the Prophet Ibrahim a.s. and his son, the Prophet Ismail a.s. Ultimately, animal sacrifice is obligatory for those who can. It is based on the hadith of Rasulullah Shallallawhu ‘alaihi wa sallam :

أخبرنا الحسن بن يعقوب بن يوسف العدل ، ثنا يحيى بن أبي طالب ، ثنا زيد بن الحباب ، عن عبد الله بن عياش القتباني ، عن الأعرج ، عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه ، قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : « من وجد سعة لأن يضحي فلم يضح ، فلا يحضر مصلانا »

“From Abu Hurairah ra, Rasulullah saw said : who get spaciousness to do animal sacrifice, and he do not want to do it, then do not attend in our field (For doing Eid prayer).” (Narrated by Ahmad, Daru qutni, Baihaqi and al Hakim)

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In this chance, we will explain you about virtues of animal sacrifice in Islam. So, you can be more sincere and know what wisdom you will get if you do animal sacrifice.

1. Closer to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala

Animal sacrifice is one of best door that can make you closer to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala as the worship of five daily prayer. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala said,

“Indeed, Allah only accepts (animal sacrifice) from the righteous [who fear Him].” (Q.S. Al-Maidah : 27)

See also : How to be closer to Allah SWT

2. As a piety of believers

Animal sacrifice also becomes a piety of believers. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has said :

لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنكُمْ كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.” (Q.S. Al-Hajj : 37)

3. As an obedience to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكاً لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ فَإِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُوا وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ

“And for all religion We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, [O Muhammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord]”. (Q.S. Al-Hajj : 34)

See also : Importance of obedience in Islam

4. As a witness in front of Allah Subhanhu Wa Ta’ala

Animal that is sacrificed by us will be our witness in front of Allah Ta’ala as a hadith mentions below

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ابْنُ نَافِعٍ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الْمُثَنَّى عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا عَمِلَ ابْنُ آدَمَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ عَمَلًا أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْ هِرَاقَةِ دَمٍ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِقُرُونِهَا وَأَظْلَافِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا وَإِنَّ الدَّمَ لَيَقَعُ مِنْ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِمَكَانٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ فَطِيبُوا بِهَا نَفْسًا

“No deeds that is done by Adam’s children when Eid Adha that is dearer by Allah Azza Wa Jalla from drain blood, indeed in the Hereafter he will come with its horns, its nails and its hair.

And indeed that blood will arrive to Allah Azza Wa Jalla before it falls into the ground, then make yourself wonderful with it.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah number 3117)

5. Follow the Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail

By doing animal sacrifice, we have followed the Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail, as Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam has done.

“Said to us Muhammad bin Khalaf Al ‘Asqani, said to me Adam bin Abi Iyas, said to me Sullam bin Miskin, said to me ‘Aidzullah, from Abu Daud, from Zaid bin Arqam, he said : The companions of Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said : “O Rasulullah, what is animal sacrifice?

 

He said, “This is a sunnah from your father, Ibrahim.” They said : “Then through that animal, what we get, O Rasulullah?” He said, “There is one goodness in every hair.” They said : “How about shuf (fleece)” He said : “There is one goodness in every shuf.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah number 3127) [AdSense-B]

6. Avoid us from sins of holding treasure

The next virtues of animal sacrifice in Islam is we can avoid the sins of holding treasure. We should not hold our treasure, but we would get it out as an animal sacrifice that is distributed to underprivileged.

7. Learn sincere

The worship of animal sacrifice also learn us about sincerity. We can learn that sincerity is formed from our treasure that is sacrificed. Today, human is only commanded to sacrifice treasure or animal sacrifice, not children as The Prophet Ibrahim has experienced.

8. Learn to be not excessive in loving world

By doing animal sacrifice, we can learn to be not excessive in loving world. We can place that treasure is not only ours, but we should distribute and give its benefit to others. This thing teaches us to do not love something excessively.

9. Distinguish with unbelievers

Indeed, the worship of animal sacrifice is not only done by Moslem in Eid Adha, but other people also do it. But those people sacrifice it as offerings to other that Allah Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala.

“Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of a sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims.”(Q.S. Al-An’am : 162 – 163)

10. Get Allah’s willing

Indeed, Allah Subbhanahu Wa Ta’ala will give His willing and rewards to those who are sincere to do His commands. Because of that, if we want to do animal sacrifice, we should be sincere. So we will get many rewards from Him. [AdSense-C]

11. Spread goodness and advantages to others

The worship of animal sacrifice also spreads goodness and advantages to others. Meat that have been distributed will give benefits to those who need it. So this worship has the value of social. The hadith from Ali bin Abu Thalib,

وَعَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ قَالَ: { أَمَرَنِي النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّ أَقْوَمَ عَلَى بُدْنِهِ, وَأَنْ أُقَسِّمَ لُحُومَهَا وَجُلُودَهَا وَجِلالَهَا عَلَى الْمَسَاكِينِ, وَلا أُعْطِيَ فِي جِزَارَتِهَا مِنْهَا شَيْئاً } مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْه ِ

“Rasulullah commands to me to care his animal sacrifice, distribute its meat, its skin and its clothes to poor people, and I must not give something from animal sacrifice (as fee) to its butcher.” Wallallahu’alam bisshawab. (Yahya G. Nasrullah)

12. As a very love deed by Allah SWT in Eid Adha

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala said, “So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].” (Q.S. Al-Kautsar : 2)

And it is mentioned in a hadith, Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alahi wa sallam said, “There is no deed that is very love by Allah from sons of Adam when Eid Adha beside sacrificing animal sacrifice.” (Narrated by Tirmidzi and Hakim)

Thus the article about 12 virtues of animal sacrifice in Islam. Hopefully, we can be one of people who can do this command sincerely. Aamiiin.