As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Dear Brother Burhan,As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barkatuh.
Haji do sacrifice during hajj People do sacrifice in there home on occasion of Eid ul Adha. Parents do sacrifice during Aqiqa.This meat should be divided in how many parts and given to whom?
On whom it is obligated to sacrifice animal during Eid ul Adha, Is it allowed to give equivalent money to relief committee to sacrifice animal of Eid ul Adha on behalf of us and distribute all meat to the needy and poor Muslim in far location.
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Answer:
How to divide sacrifice meat
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Your Question: ....What is the wisdom behind sacrificing animal in the name of Allah in different occasion?
Since time immemorial the offering of a sacrifice was prescribed as a form of worship in religion.
The Noble Prophet and Best Friend of the Most Gracious, Ibraheem (a.s.) so loved and worshipped Allah Subhanah, that he was willing to sacrifice even his own son at the command of Allah Subhanah. When Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.) lay his son Prophet Ismail (a.s.) on his side just about to slaughter him as per the command of Allah, the Lord informed Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.) that this was only a trial and a test to see if Ibraheem (a.s.) was true to his word.
Allah Subhanah ransomed the life of Prophet Ismail (a.s.) and commanded Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.) to slaughter and sacrifice a ram instead of his son. Such was the nature of this Great and Momentous Sacrifice of Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.), and so loved and appreciated was this act of Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.) and Prophet Ismail (a.s.) to Allah Subhanah, that The Lord Most Gracious honored these great Prophets, and made their act an obligatory rite for the Hajj pilgrimage, a remembrance and a commemoration of their momentous sacrifice amongst the generations to come until the end of time!
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 37 Surah Saafaat verses 100-110:
100 (Ibraheem (a.s.) prayed): "O my Lord! grant me a righteous (son)!"
101 So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.
102 Then when (the son, Ismail (a.s.)) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: now see what is thy view!" (Ismail (a.s.)) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills, one practicing Patience and Constancy!"
103 So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah) and He had laid Him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice)
104 We called out to him "O Ibraheem!
105 "Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
106 For this was obviously a trial
107 And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice (or a ram):
108 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:
109 "Peace and salutation to Ibraheem!"
110 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
When the believers offer the sacrifice, with their act they too imply that just as they are ready to sacrifice and slaughter an animal at the command of their Lord, if commanded by their Lord Creator, they too are willing, just like the Noble Prophets Ibraheem and Ismail, to sacrifice everything they own and love for the Pleasure of Allah Subhanah.
Your Question: ....This meat should be divided in how many parts and given to whom?
The Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) was to consume a part of it, distribute a part of it among his companions, and give a part of it to the poor and needy.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 22 Surah Hajj verses 36-37:
36 The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the Symbols from Allah: in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg not, but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have we made animals subject to you that ye may be grateful.
37 It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you: and proclaim the Good News to all who do right.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.476 Narrated by Salama bin Al Aqua
The Prophet (saws) said: " (Of the Sacrifice) eat of it, and feed of it to others, and store of it."
Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 5.115
A person offering a sacrifice may consume, without any restrictions, any amount of meat he may desire. He may likewise give away, or offer in charity any amount he may wish. Some scholars say that one may eat half, and give away the other half in charity, while others say that the meat be divided into three parts. Of these one may keep a part, distribute a part, and give in charity the third part.
If one wishes, one may eat all or part of it, or distribute all or part of it, or give to the poor all or part of it. There is absolutely no restriction on how much one should consume of the sacrificial meat, but it would be best to eat some oneself, distribute some, and give some to the poor and needy.
Your Question: ....On whom it is obligated to sacrifice animal during Eid ul Adha,
It is considered an integral and obligatory rite of the Hajj pilgrimage that every pilgrim who intends to fulfill one's Hajj must offer at least one animal as sacrifice.
For all the other believers who are not actually on the Hajj pilgrimage, the offering of a sacrifice during the Day of Adha is a preferred Sunnah and thus voluntary. If one who is not performing the Hajj offers a sacrifice on the Day of Adha, one would be eligible to receive a huge reward from their Lord Most Gracious for their worship; and if one for any reason is unable to offer it, there is no sin upon them.
Your Question: ....Is it allowed to give equivalent money to relief committee to sacrifice animal of Eid ul Adha on behalf of us and distribute all meat to the needy and poor Muslim in far location.
One is at absolute liberty to choose to perform the act of sacrifice themselves; and if they so wish, they may appoint someone to offer the sacrifice and distribute the meat to charity on their behalf.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 22 Surah Hajj verse 37:
37 It is not their (the sacrificial animal's) meat nor their blood that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you: and proclaim the good news to all who do right.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam,
Burhan