The Fiqh of ‘Eed Rites

17/11/2010| IslamWeb

There they are … the pilgrims who come to Makkah in groups and individually from all parts of the world by land, air and sea.

They come seeking the mercy and pardon of Allah The Almighty.

They come asking Allah The Almighty to grant them more of His bounties.

They come supplicating Him and calling upon Him for all their needs.

They come seeking His forgiveness admitting to their guilt and shortcomings.

They come expressing their weakness and need for Allah The Almighty.

They embody a beautiful scene of servitude to Allah The Almighty.

Allahu Akbar … Allahu Akbar … Allahu Akbar … none is worthy of being worshiped but Allah.

We are approaching one of the greatest days of Allah The Almighty.

It is the best day of the year in the scale of Allah The Almighty.

It is a day when all Muslims join together in happiness and joy.

It is a day when all Muslims join together to mention Allah The Almighty, glorify Him, pray for Him and offer sacrifice for Him after performing their rites.

It is a day when all Muslims perform all types of virtuous deeds as a way of expressing their gratitude for His bounties.

They gather and mention Allah The Almighty, glorify Him and perform prayers, then slaughter their sacrificial animals as a means to draw close to Allah The Almighty. They shed the blood of these animals as a way of expressing their gratitude for His endless bounties.

'Eed is a season of joy and happiness, and our happiness, as Muslims, in this life is with our Lord and the bounties He bestows upon us. The most important bounty Allah The Almighty bestows upon us is the ability to properly and completely worship Him and. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Say, "In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.”} [Quran 10:58]

Ibn Al-Qayyim said, "The day of Nahr (slaughtering) is 'Eed day, and it is the day of the greater pilgrimage and it is the day on which the announcement [was made] to the people that Allah and His Messenger are disassociated from the disbelievers." The Prophet said: "The best day in the scale of Allah is the day of Nahr (‘Eed day on which people slaughter their sacrificial animals) and the next best is the day after that (the 11th of Thul-Hijjah)."

It is recommended that people utter Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) during these blessed days during all times from the beginning of the month of Thul-Hijjah to the last of the Tashreeq days (Tashreeq days are 11th-13th of Thul-Hijjah). One is also recommended to utter it after every prescribed prayer (i.e. the five daily prayers) from the Fajr (dawn) prayer on the day of 'Arafah till the ‘Asr (late afternoon) prayer of the last of the Tashreeq days.

Therefore, we are encouraged to revive this great act of worship which many people have deserted and many have forgotten it, which is opposite to the practice of our righteous predecessors.

Dear readers! Know that gratitude to Allah The Almighty for His bounties is expressed by obeying Him and refraining from disobeying Him. Thus, we should busy our times with all types of acts of worship, like mentioning Allah The Almighty, supplicating Him, visiting relatives as well as refraining from disobedience like listening to music, being improperly dressed by not adhering to Hijaab (Islamic covering) and so on. Be keen on attending the 'Eed prayer and listening to the Khutbah (the sermon) while adhering to Hijaab and refraining from adorning or perfuming yourself.

It must be mentioned here that fasting on 'Eed days is prohibited and it is recommended that one designates the night before 'Eed to offer the optional night prayers.

Udh-hiyah is a greatly recommended act in Islam which the Prophet never deserted. Udh-hiyah is the animal that is sacrificed as a means to draw close to Allah The Almighty. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

     *  {So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].} [Quran 108:2]

     *  {Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the world. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims."} [Quran 6:162-163]

     *  {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].} [Quran 22:34]

Anas narrated, "The Prophet slaughtered two whitish rams. While slaughtering them, he placed his foot on its side, mentioned the Name of Allah and Glorified Allah (saying Bismillaah, Allahu Akbar)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn 'Umar narrated, "The Prophet resided in Madeenah for ten years and he offered Udh-hiyah every year." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This proves that offering Udh-hiyah is a recommended act of worship, for those who can afford it, which was practiced by the Prophet .

Ibn Al-Qayyim said: "Offering the Udh-hiyah is better than giving the equivalent of its price out in charity even if one pays more than the price of the animal in charity, because it is an act that was legislated for the purpose of worshipping Allah and to shed the blood. If slaughtering was to stop then this act of worship would become deserted."

Dear reader! Know that, in principle, offering the Udh-hiyah is to be done on behalf of those who are alive, and this was the practice of the Prophet and his Companions . This is contrary to what many people mistakenly believe and that it is done for the dead.