Dr SALEEM ADIL
The grand sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) brings a message of happiness to the followers of Allah even today. “So turn in prayer towards your Lord and sacrifice (animals)”. (108.2)
Qurbani on Eid ul Azha has been made farz on every Muslim who can afford it. So, on Eid ul Azha, millions of people offer Qurbani. Only healthy animals are being offered for sacrifice Therefore, the demand of sacrificial animal increases and people who sell them get the price of their choice. In other words, the money from the pockets of rich people is transferred to the pockets of poor people (most of the people who do this business are poor villagers who make money on Eid ul Azha to feed their families for the rest of the year). By doing this, money comes in circulation; and money coming into circulation is a sign of developing economy.
It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as Allah say, "it is not their meat nor, their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37) The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the straight path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.
One third of the sacrificial meat is meant for the poor. Everyone distributes at least that much to the poor. The other third is for relatives and friends. That part is either given to them as gift or they are invited and a party is arranged. This act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties; in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need this is an opportunity to show love and respect to relatives and friends and poor. The last third of meat is for the person’s own family.
Meat intake is very essential for us to stay healthy. Eid-ul-Azha gives us an opportunity to fulfil this need of our body in a better way. Meat of qurbani, which is the purest as compared with mutton or beef available in markets throughout the year, is usually full of nutrition, curing most of the diseases and is good for health. Eating qurbani meat has various benefits: Firstly, it is done by a clean person in clean surroundings. Secondly, the animal is healthy and fit. Thirdly, the meat itself will have no blood clots within its veins giving a longer shelf life. Fourthly, if the blood is all drained, as it should be, the risk of blood inherited bacteria from the animal will be very minimal eating meat is a great food for high quality nutrients intake and as it’s Eid you can cook different kind of dishes from this meat
And for those who can not afford to eat meat throughout the year Eid-ul-Azha is the only time for them to enjoy meat.n