Virtues of Qurbani
Doing the Qurbani is a very virtuous act in the sight of Allah.
In this regard, Aisha (R.A) says that Rasulullah (S.A.S) said:
مَا عَمِلَ ابْنُ آدَمَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ عَمَلًا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، مِنْ اِهرَاقَةِ دَمٍ، وَإِنَّهُ لَيَأْتِيْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، بِقُرُوْنِهَا، وَأَظْلَافِهَا، وَأَشْعَارِهَا، وَإِنَّ الدَّمَ، لَيَقَعُ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، بِمَكَانٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ، فَطِيْبُوْا بِهَا نَفْسًا
“There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of sacrifice than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animals shall come on the day of Qiyaamah with its horns, hairs and hooves. The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore, sacrifice with an open and happy heart”.[26]
In another tradition, Ali (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.S) said, ‘O Fatimah! Come and witness your sacrificial animal (being slaughted), for surely, by its first drop of blood that falls on the ground, there will be forgiveness for you for every sin. Behold! It will be brought with its blood and flesh. It will then be placed in your scale (of deeds) multiplied 70 times.’
Abu Sa’eed (R.A) asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Is this reward specifically for the family of Muhammad, for they are worthy of having good set aside specifically for them, or is it for the family of Muhammad and for the Muslims in general? The Messenger of Allah (S.A.S) said,’It is for the family of Muhammead and for the Muslims in general.’[27]
It is also narrated from Zaid bin Arqam, that the companions asked the Prophet (S.A.S),
قَالُوا: فَمَا لَنَا فِيهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: «بِكُلِّ شَعْرَةٍ، حَسَنَةٌ» قَالُوْا: ” فَالصُّوفُ؟ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ قَالَ: «بِكُلِّ شَعْرَةٍ مِنَ الصُّوْفِ، حَسَنَةٌ»
“What benefit do we get from it (sacrifice)?” He answered, a reward for every grain of hair or fibre of wool”.[28]
From these blessed traditions, one can see how rewarding it is to do a Qurbani. Hundreds and thousands of blessings/rewards are given to a person for doing just a single Qurbani. Therefore, after reading about such great blessings and rewards in doing a Qurbani, one should try one’s best, and make an effort to do a sacrifice even though it may not be wajib (essential) upon him. These unlimited rewards are only given on the days of Qurbani when one offers a sacrifice to Allah. For every hair and wool that is on the sacrificial animal, one reward is recorded for the person doing the Qurbani.
Allahu Akbar! Just imagine the tremendous amount of rewards that are given for a single Qurbani. Even if a person wanted to count the strands of hair and wool on an animal from the morning to the evening, he will not be able to complete the count.
These rewards however, are only given on the days of Qurbani when one does a sacrifice. When these blessed days pass, one will not get this opportunity again, nor will he be able to achieve such great rewards so easily
It is also narrated that the person who sacrifices with a willing heart and with the intention of reward, that sacrifice will shield him from the fire of Hell on the Day of Judgement.
About this, Ali (R.A) narrates that the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘O People! Sacrifice and expect a reward from its blood, for surely, although the blood falls on the ground, it falls under the protection of Allah.’[29]
Hassan bin Ali (R.A) also narrated that the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘He who sacrifices wholeheartedly and expect a reward for his sacrifice, it will be a barrier for him from the hell-fire’.[30]
Allah looks at the heart of the believers in all their actions. Through their sacrifice, Allah wants to see the Taqwa, (piety) and Ikhlaas, (sincerity). Allah says,
لَنْ يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَٰكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنْكُمْ
“The meat nor the blood reaches Allah, but it is the piety from you that reaches Him.”[31]
The sacrifice would signify our willingness to give up our vain desires for Allah; our determination to submit to His will even though it may mean to sacrifice our wealth, our family, our lives, our comfort, our time etc. May Allah reward us with a blessed Eidul Adhaa.