Qur'baani

In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

In the Indian subcontinent, where I hail from, the word selected here as the title is generally used for the ritual sacrifice of an animal, particularly at the time of the annual Muslim festival of Eid-ud-duha. This article is about such sacrifices done on a mass scale at places other than at Kaabah during the Hajj pilgrimage.

I live in a housing society. It is predominantly Muslim. A Hindu family had come last year to live in one of the flats on a rental basis. But the family left after the last Eid. I suspect they left because of the dirt & unhygienic atmosphere that had spread all around in the society premises during Qur’baani on the Eid days.

It was just a suspicion on my part. But that left me thinking. Is it okay for the Muslims to live in weeklong dirt & squalor for the sake of the Qur’baani ritual? Is it a religious requirement?

Qur’baani is essentially a part of the rituals during the Hajj pilgrimage at Makkah. The Qur’aan however lays down that those prevented on any account from performing Hajj/Umrah, should offer a sacrifice they can afford [Verse 2:196].

That, I think, is the religious justification for Qur’baani. But does it justify the accompanying filthy atmosphere in and around residential premises?

Throughout the Qur’aan great emphasis is laid down on cleanliness and purity. For example, in Verse 2:222, it is said that Allah loves those who keep themselves clean and pure, and in Verse 74:4 the Messenger (peace on him) himself has been instructed to keep his clothes clean.

Muslims, who claim themselves to be followers of the Qur’aan, should therefore necessarily eschew the ugly atmosphere that prevails during Eid-ud-duha.

It’s okay for individual Muslims owning bungalows with large backyards offering the Qur’baani at home. But it is not okay for those living in housing societies with little spaces around their multi-storied buildings. They have necessarily to make such arrangements for Qur’baani that filth and pollution does not invade their residences.

The animals – goats, generally – brought for sacrifice should be housed and restricted to a predesignated space safely away from residential quarters. And if the housing society doesn’t have such space, the Muslim residents concerned must make their own arrangements outside, for the sacrifice. If that too is not possible, they can avail of online facilities, now available for the sacrifices, by making necessary monetary contribution. Remember, the Verse quoted above [2.196] notifies for them only sacrifices they can afford!

Mohammad Shafi

Friday, the 1^st of February 2019.