QURBAANI OPERATIONS

May Allah Ta’ala keep all the Ulama-e-Kiraam and Burzoogan-e-Deen in the best of health and grant them the strength and ability to continue with the noble effort of establishing the beautiful Deen of Islam. May Allah Ta’ala reward all of them with the best of rewards in Dunya, Qabr and the Aakhirat.

This letter is in order to express a little concern with regard to the Qurbaani operations that are carried out under the auspices of some of the leading Ulama-e-Haqq of our Darul-Uloom, Jamiats and our country as a whole and also other Ulama, non-Ulama and independent organisations.

When concern was expressed in Bayaans and gatherings, then a simple reply from the public is, that our leading Ulama are in the forefront of these operations, what should we (the public) do.

The concern with regard to the Qurbaani operations is as follows:

1. The Asal (original) Maqsad (purpose) of Qurbani and Udhiyya is being lost to the people of South Africa. The spirit of sacrifice is taken away from the people. Sacrifice is when a person has to spend his health, wealth and time for the sake of Allah and in doing, so he feels the pinch. Qurbaani to be done abroad has been advertised for R80 to R100, whereas in South Africa it will cost between R400 to R600. So where is the sacrifice or Qurbaani. The entire spirit of Qurbaani has been removed and unfortunately sanctioned by the Ulama.

2. It is understood that the Qurbaani, if performed abroad for R0 or R100 will definitely be valid. But is it in keeping with the Sunnah of our beloved Rasool [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] to perform it in this way. Just as the Ulama emphasise Sunnats in Salaats and other rituals and Ibaadats of Deen, should they not emphasise the Sunnah and procedures of this Waajib Ibaadah as well. And one of the important Sunnats is to make Qurbaani personally and locally. Why should the Ulama create avenues and become the means for the people to perform this Ibaadah against the Sunnah of Nabi [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam].

3. Feeding the poor, which is the great and sincere concern of the Qurbaani operations co-ordinators, is a secondary issue in Qurbaani and not the Asl Maqsad (original purpose). Therefore, even if a person keeps all the meat for himself after slaughtering, he will not be a sinner. The concern for feeding the poor of other countries should not be at the expense of ‘The Spirit of Qurbaani’ of the people of our country. Meat slaughtered in our country can be stored and thereafter exported to the needy countries. The work involved in doing so might be more but at least the Ibaadat of Qurbaani will be salvaged.

4. Furthermore, Qurbaani is not Waajib on these poor people in the distant lands and therefore they do not have to witness or make Qurbaani. So the notion that ‘How will these people know what is the spirit of Qurbaani is incorrect’, because we are teaching them the ‘spirit of meat’ and not Qurbaani. Qurbaani is when you spend your own wealth, health and time. If teaching Qurbaani in this way to people upon whom Qurbaani is not Waajib is so necessary, then ‘Operation Hajj’ will have to be initiated to send those people for Hajj upon whom it is not Fardh.

5. By Ulama taking part in these Qurbaani operations they have sanctioned this practice and thus opened the doors for many bogus operators who are belittling and fooling many unwary people. Many operators have made this their business and in lie of the monies collected they slaughter very feeble, weak and unsuitable animals. Monies spent in advertising for the Qurbaani in the local newspaper by some organisations is also questionable and a matter of concern.

6. If the present situation prevails then very soon, in a few years time very few people will make Qurbaani locally. Local animal prices are sure to go up and because the ‘Jazbah’ and enthusiasm for doing Qurbaani locally was not created and another easier option is already available, the general public will inevitably opt for doing Qurbaani abroad and thus Qurbaani in South Africa will become extinct.

7. It is the Sunnat of Allah that when there is apathy and indifference towards any aspect of Deen when it is easy, then that is made difficult for the people when they now want to practise upon it. Presently, in our country Allah Ta’ala has made it very easy for us to slaughter animals and make Qurbaani. The bye-laws of our country are very lenient towards Qurbaani. It should not be that due to our own doings the bye-laws of our country changes and it now becomes very difficult for us to practice upon this important injunction of Deen-e-Islam (as is the case in many foreign countries)

8. By saying that ‘at least make one Qurbaani locally as is the slogan of many organisations, the ‘Spirit of Qurbaani’ is still not maintained. Because, a family of four (father, mother, daughter and son) instead of spending ±R2000 will, in spite of making it locally, only spend ±R800. What a huge contrast? Where is the Qurbaani (in the literal sense of the word)? Also how will the children learn the true spirit of Qurbaani, when their own Qurbaani is sent away? Many people feel as to what is the need to make that one at home when the sent are sent abroad. People even go to the extent of saying, ‘I eat meat everyday, let the poor people enjoy the Qurbaani’, thus making feeding the poor the Asal Maqsad (original purpose) of Qurbaani.

9. The excuse, that many people will not make Qurbaani if it too pricey, should not be made, because the Ulama and organisations are not Mukallaf (responsible) for the actions of the people. After years and years of emphasising on Salaat, which is Fardh, there are those who will under all circumstances perform their Salaat and there are those who under the easiest of conditions still neglect their Salaat. The responsibility of the Ulama and organisations is to give full Targheeb and encouragement towards performing Qurbaani, as it ought to b performed. Many, many people in our country (Alhamdulillah) still accept and follow what the Ulama say.

The above issue has been raised with the sincere hope that after due consideration and discussion by our leading Ulama and organisation a stance in the light of the Qur’aan and Hadith is taken. And also the Ulama that are Imaams of Musjids may have some clear guidelines as to what advice they should give their Musallees on the above issue and whether they should allow Qurbaani operation pamphlets in their Musjid or not.

A humble appeal is being made for forgiveness if in the raising of the above issue and disrespect or indication of disrespect was shown, due to the (unintentional) inappropriate usage of words. If any aspect mentioned above is incorrect, inappropriate and not of the correct view, then please do rectify it and inform me of the correct view and the most appropriate stance that is to be adopted in this matter. Insha Allah, a concerted effort will be made to follow the advices of our Asaatiza and leading Ulama.

Request for Du’aas

Ahmed Motara
P.O. Box 76035
Marbleray 4035 Durban

Comments: Darul Ifta appreciates the concerns of the learned Moulana Ahmed Motara Saheb