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Sacrifice (Qurbani)
Animal Sacrifice in Islam commemorates the ultimate sacrifice of Abraham
in offering to his son Ismail, who was his only son (at that time) and
whom he had very late in his life. Thus it symbolizes a willingness to
sacrifice even one's dearest possession for the sake of God.
However Quran makes it explicit that this has no resemblance in spirit
to the pagan practices of animal sacrifice or the idea it atones for our
sins. God says "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches
Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him (Qur'an 22:37)
Qurbani is only a sunnah (optional) act. A grown up camel, cattle or sheep/goat
is sacrificed on the Day of sacrifice or the days of Tashreeq (11-13 Dhul-Hijjah).
The animal should be free of any defects. One can either slaughter a sheep
or join with six others to slaughter a camel or cow. One third is usually
donated to the poor, one third is given as gift to friends and the rest
is consumed by oneself, family and immediate relatives.
Aqeeqah
Aqeeqah is the animal slaughtered in thanks-giving to the Lord when a
child is born. It is an optional act. Two goats should be slaughtered
for a male child, and one for a female child. This is to be done on the
seventh day of the birth of the child. It is also practiced to name the
child on that day, his hair cut and the weight of his/her hair in silver
given in charity.
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