CHOOSING THE BEST QURBANI ANIMALS
In Islam, the act of slaughtering an animal in the name of Allah is called Qurbani. It is important for Muslims to only sacrifice those Animals that are of high quality based on Islamic rules and regulations.
Which Animals Are Halal?
The animals on which, while slaughtering, the phrase “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” is said are halal animals. Without saying this phrase, the animal is considered haram.
Allah (SWT) says in the Quran in Surah Al Haj:
“The camels and cattle are among the signs of Allah for you. In them, there is good. So remember the name of Allah over them when they are lined up for sacrifice. And when their sides fall down, eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have we made them subservient to you so that you may be grateful.”
The animals that are allowed to be sacrificed in Islam are:
- Cows
- Buffaloes
- Goat
- Sheep
- Camel
Requirement In Qurbani For Selection Of The Animal
The following requirements should be met in the selection of the animal:
1) The animal must be halal.
2) The animal must be disease-free.
3) The animal must be healthy.
4) The animal should be of a specific age.
5) The animal should be of proper body shape.
Health Of Animals
The animal must be physically Active, Healthy, Strong, and Fit; it must be free from any disease; and it must have an appropriate body size. The size of the animal also plays a significant role in choosing the right animal. Large Animals are mostly preferred because they have a large quantity of Meat And Bones. The actual weight of the animal is calculated by calculating the carcass weight. Carcass weight consists of the actual weight of meat and bones, excluding the head, feet, hide, and innards. It should also be considered that the animal must have No Broken Teeth Or Horns and have a pleasing appearance. To ensure the health of the animal, it is recommended to buy the animal during daylight because at night it is difficult to identify if the animal is sick or not.
Appropriate Age Of The Animal
The age of the animal for Qurbani must be in the following category
- Sheep and goats must be at least 1 year of age.
- Cows and buffaloes are at least 2 years of age.
- Camel is at least 5 years of age.
Body Shape Of The Animal
The animal must have a Proper Body Shape, No Deformities Present, and be of an Appropriate Size. Before choosing the animal for Qurbani, the Length, Weight, and Size of the Animal must be measured. The hunch on the back of a healthy animal should be intact and high.
What Animals Should Be Avoided in Sacrifice?
- Animals with their ears or horns removed.
- Animals with ears slit crosswise from the front.
- Animals with ears slit crosswise from the back.
- Animals with ears slit lengthwise.
- Animals with a hole in their ears.
- Animals with ears cut until the ear channel is visible or severely emaciated.
- Animals with horns were entirely removed.
- Animals with their eyes removed.
- Animals that are completely blind despite having intact eyes.
- Animals that do not naturally follow the flock and require herding.
Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing The Animal
To ensure the Health of The Animal, it is recommended to buy the Animal During Daylight because at night it is difficult to identify if the animal is sick or not.
The sacrifice of both Male And Female Animals is Halal, but the sacrifice of a Pregnant Animal is Prohibited, so it must be checked.
A Big Animal doesn’t always mean a Healthy Animal. More weight can be a sign of Hormone Injections and more stored fat in an animal’s body, which can cause serious health problems in humans.
The Animal’s Body must be thoroughly examined for the identification of any type of wound or bruise. Make sure that the Tail, Nails, Teeth, And Horns of the animal are properly intact.