KORBAN/QURBAN IN ISLAM
HISTORY OF KORBAN/QURBAN
The history of the Korban ritual returns back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him – pbuh). It is to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail (pbuh) in obedience to Almighty Allah. The practice of Korban was made an injunction in the 2nd year after the Muslims' migration to Medina. Hence Eid Al Adha is also called the Festival of Sacrifice.
LIVESTOCK FOR KORBAN/QURBAN
TYPE OF INTENT FOR SLAUGHTERING A LIVESTOCK (IN GENERAL IT IS CALLED KORBAN)
There are 3 types of intent to slaughter livestock:
1. Korban/Qurban
Korban is widely the main intent for slaughtering livestock on Eid Al-Adha day. If a person has the intention to do korban, it is wajib (obligatory) to distribute a portion of the uncooked meat to the poor and needy. It is sunnah (recommended) for the person doing the korban to partake a little of the korban meat.
2. Nazar
Nazar (also written as nadhr) is making a vow in the name of Allah. As an illustration, a person may make a vow of this type “O Allah, if you alleviate such and such a person from their sickness, I promise to sacrifice one sheep/goat etc”, then the person who makes a vow is obliged to fulfill the sacrifice if the person is healed. In this case, it is wajib to give away all the uncooked meat.
3. Aqiqah
Aqiqah is defined as the animal that is slaughtered on the occasion when the hair of a newborn is shaved. It is sunnah to give away all the meat after it has been cooked.
AQIQAH IN ISLAM
In Islamic terminology, it is defined as a sacrifice of livestock on the occasion of a child's birth.
The performance of Aqiqah is highly encouraged (sunnah). It is to be performed by the parents or the guardians of the child. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions used to perform Aqiqah when they were bestowed with a newborn.
It is recommended to perform Aqiqah within the first week (and ideally on the 7th day) if not possible, then on the 14th, if not, on the 21st, if not, then at any time. In addition, it is recommended Sunnah for parents to give sadaqah of equal value to the weight in silver of their baby's hair (when it is shaved on the seventh day after birth). It is not advisable to delay the aqiqah when the means are available.
There are many benefits in the performance of Aqiqah. One is announcing the birth of the baby. Being bestowed a child is a great blessing from Allah swt. Another purpose is to celebrate the blessed occasion. The poor should be included in the celebration by offering them food and meat served on this occasion.
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, states: "Among the benefits of `Aqeeqah are:
Hadith references regarding Aqiqah:
Sahih Bukhari Book 66. Sacrifice on the Occasion of a Birth (Aqiqah)
Narrated By Salman bin 'Amir Ad-Dabbi : I heard Allah's Apostle saying, “Aqiqah is to be offered for a (newly born) boy, so slaughter (an animal) for him, and relieve him of his suffering." (Note: It has been quoted in Fateh-aL-Bari that the majority of the Religious Scholars agrees to the Hadith narrated in Sahih At-Tirmidhi that the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) was asked about Aqiqah and he ordered 2 sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl and that is his tradition "Sunnah").
Narrated Umm Kurz: The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Two sheep which resemble each other are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl. (Sunan Abu Dawood Book 15, No. 2830)
The condition of the livestock in Aqiqah is the same as the conditions for the animals in Qurbani. The livestock to be slaughtered must be a goat/sheep, cows or camels. They must be free from any form of handicap such as being blind, sick, limp or undernourished. The livestock must be slaughtered in the appropriate humane ways.
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