The Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisations, CIO, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafii has said that the symbolic slaughtering of sacrificial animals during Eid-al-Adha can still be done by any capable Muslim until Friday, the fourth day of the festival.
Sheikh Shafii made the disclosure while speaking exclusively with Muslim News during a question and answer session held shortly after his emotion-laden Eid Khutbah (sermon) held on Tuesday at the popular Da’wah Centre, Lagos, South-West Nigeria.
He said the number of days for the slaughtering of sacrificial animals (cow, camel, ram, etc) during Eid-al-Adha are four.
According to him, in line with the Shariah, we use four days to slaughter, starting the counting from the Day of Eid, the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah. That’s why it’s called Yaomu-n-Nahr, the Day of Slaughtering. And the three days after it.
“Since Tuesday was Eid Day, by counting, capable Muslims can still slaughter their sacrificial animals on 11th (Wednesday), 12th (Thursday) and 13th (Friday) Days of Dhul Hijjah. The slaughtering can happen in the morning, afternoon or night on these three days,” he added.
Borrowing of money to slaughter ram
Earlier in his sermon that was well attended by hundreds of worshippers who all adhered to COVID-19 protocols by using their face masks and observed social distancing, Sheikh Shafii noted that a Muslim who is expectant of an income/funds from a place or individual can borrow money to get sacrificial animals according to their means.
Although the Prophet (SAW) had slaughtered sacrificial animals for his Ummah who couldn’t afford to buy one, if one is expecting money from a reliable source (let’s say salary) by month end and Eid day being Tuesday, July 20, you can borrow money and pay back immediately you collect your salary and use the remaining for other needs. This is a case for someone who isn’t poor, but doesn’t have access to funds at that time.
Division of Rams
While speaking on the division of the sacrificial animals, the revered Islamic scholar quoted an authentic narration from Abdullahi Ibn Abbas as evidence for the three parts division.
He said, “Based on the Hadith, we are to divide our sacrifice into three parts. One for the family, another for charity (sadaqah) especially to the needy and the last part as gift (adyah).
“There is a difference between charity and gift. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) takes gift, but doesn’t accept charity. So, the meat should be shared with both loved ones and the less privileged. In fact, we can keep some part of the meat as gift for people who are in far away location, inasmuch as it does not get spoilt.
“It is allowed to exchange the meats also. That will fall under the gift category. The number of sacrifices we make should be dictated by how blessed we are. When the Prophet completed his first Hajj, the number of camels he sacrificed was 100. Exchanging these meats as gifts is acceptable. The Prophet said we should exchange gifts to entrench love amongst ourselves. However, it’s advised that those who are not privileged to slaughter are given top priority in sharing.”
Separating Eid Rams from Child Naming (Aqeeqah) Rams
Sheikh Shafii, who traced the root of Eid-ul-Adha festival back to Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his household urged Muslims to separate the sacrificial ram with the ram slaughtered for child naming.
He said, The best option is to separate the sacrifice of Aqeeqah (child naming) from that of Eid, if it happens that both coincide. However, some Scholars say it’s permissible to combine the two, citing the hadith of ‘actions shall be judged according to intentions’. There is also what is termed, ‘istidraaj’ among Scholars. Two to seven persons can come together to offer sacrifice, but exclusively for cow and camel, but with different intentions.”
Justification for sacrifice
According to Sheikh Shafii, “Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked of the justification for the sacrifice we make during this Eid. He replied that it is the tradition of the father of faith, Prophet Ibrahim (AS). There are instances in the Holy Qur’an where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was ordered to follow the way of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who is a saint. So, it’s following this commandment that we Muslims offer sacrifice during this period.
“Many persons also refer to the festival as Eid-ul-Kabir, the big festival. In Islam, the two prescribed festivals are indeed big, but because sacrifice is offered in this, it’s usually seen as somewhat bigger.
“The sacrifice we offer is essentially to manifest the import of a Quranic citation that our sacrifices will be for Allah alone. On the other hand, it’s a way of showing appreciation to the Almighty. Similarly, the celebration is to spread love, share gifts and make everyone happy,” he added.
Difference between the two Eids
The Grand Mufti said there are clearcut differences between the Eid-ul-Fitr and the Eid-al-Adha.
According to him, “Eid-ul-Fitr usually comes upon the completion of the Ramadan fast; while the Eid-al-Adha follows the completion of Hajj rites. More so, in the former, we do not offer sacrifice like in the latter. In any case, some virtues taught us by this Eid are obedience, sacrifice, patience upon trial — Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was tried, even Allah said his trial was a glaring one, but he persevered. When one does that, he attains a stage in Islam called ‘Ihsaan’. For this reason, Allah described Ibrahim as being among the Muhsineen, the righteous ones.
“Also, an important lesson the Eid-ul-Adha has come to teach us is proper parenting and good upbringing of children. We should train our children and give them the best of education. If Ibrahim and his wife Hajar had not trained Ismail very well, he’d have turned out to be a bad child who will be disobedient.
“Again, we should learn from this celebration that after every hardship comes ease. The household of Ibrahim were in sad mood when they wanted to manifest the commandment of Allah until a replacement came by way of ram. They couldn’t eat. This is why we Muslims usually abstain from eating on the day of the Eid till after the prayer is said.
“Importantly, we must have human feelings in us. We should identify with people going through trials and travails whether in the South, East or North, and even globally. I use this occasion to pray for our brothers in Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Libya and other places where there are troubles for ease. May Allah return unity to the fold of the Muslim community,” he concluded.
