top_heading

An animal sacrifice is a ritual for pilgrims if they can afford it

An animal sacrifice is a ritual for the pilgrims who can afford it when they break the state of Ihram between `Umrah and Hajj, and kill the game animal purposely. Here are the verses of the Quran that confirm that animal sacrifice is a ritual for us during the Hajj:
[37:107] We ransomed (Ismail) by substituting an animal sacrifice.
[37:108] And we preserved his history for subsequent generations.

[2:196] And you shall complete the Hajj and the `Umrah for God. But if you are prevented, then you shall make an animal sacrifice what is easy to obtain, and do not shave your heads until the animal sacrifice reaches its destination. But whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of his head, then you may expiate either by fasting or giving a charity or a sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever continues the `Umrah to the Hajj, then he shall make an animal sacrifice what is easy to obtain. But whoever has no animal sacrifice, then you shall fast for three days during the Hajj and seven when you return. This is ten in all; that is for him whose family does not live near the Sacred Masjid. And you shall fear God, and know that God is severe in enforcing the retribution.
Note: Here is the commandment of Hajj and ‘Umrah with the animal sacrifice, which can be substituted with ten days of fasting.

[5:2] O you who have believed, you do not violate the rites of God, nor the sacred month, nor the animal sacrifice, nor the garlanding nor coming of those to the Sacred House (al-bayta al-haraama) for seeking bounty from their Lord and pleasing. And when you come out of Ihram, then you may hunt. And let not incite you the hatred for a people when they have prevented you from going to the Sacred Masjid (al-masjidi al-haraami) that you transgress. And you shall help one another in the righteousness and the piety, but you do not help one another in committing the sins and transgression. And you shall fear God; indeed, God is severe in the retribution.
[5:95] O you who have believed, you do not kill any game while you are in a state of Ihram. And whoever among you has killed it deliberately, then the recompense is to expiate with the same from the livestock that is equivalent to the game he killed being judged by two equitable men among you, as an offering reaching the Ka’bah or an expiation feeding the needy persons or its equivalent in fasting so that he may perceive the consequence of his deed. God has pardoned what has past but whoever returns, then God will avenge from him. And God is Almighty, Avenger.
[5:97] God has made the Ka`bah (al-ka`bata), the Sacred House (al-bayta al haraama) to be a sanctuary for the people, and the Sacred Months, and the offerings and the garlands. That is to let you know that God knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and that God is Knower of everything.
Note: God has made the Ka’bah, the Sacred House and has prescribed certain rites to it for the people, what are required for them. The Sacred Months, animal offerings and garlanding are important events associated with Hajj to the Sacred House. There is also indication in the verse that God is the One who has instituted all the religious rites required for the people.

[22:28] They may seek commercial benefits, and they shall commemorate God’s name during the specified days for providing them with livestock. “Eat therefrom and feed the despondent and the poor.”
[22:33] In it (livestock) there are benefits for you for a certain period of time, then their place of sacrifice is to the ancient House.
[22:36] The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by God for your own good. You shall mention God’s name on them while they are standing in line. Once they are offered for sacrifice, you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. This is why we subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation.

Those who are not performing Hajj are not required to offer an animal sacrifice, and by insisting that it is a religious requirement constitutes a man-made innovation. Logically, if non-pilgrims want to offer an animal sacrifice to mark the completion of Hajj (which they are not performing themselves), then they should also wear pilgrim clothes, carry out the Shaitan stoning rite, and whatever else is done at Hajj. But they don’t do that other than an animal sacrifice and an illegal “Eid-ul-Adhaa” Salat Prayer. It can also be noted that the details of Hajj have been mentioned in other surahs while the animal sacrifice is decreed in surah Hajj. In addition, while God has prohibited hunting for the pilgrims to conserve the wildlife, then He would order the non-pilgrims all over the world to offer an animal sacrifice (livestock) at the Hajj time does not make any sense to those who volunteer to use their common sense.
Tafazzal