In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Sacrifice

(Qur’anic Perspective)

1. Sanctity of the Symbols of Allah

Arabic:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُحِلُّوا شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ وَلَا الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلَا الْهَدْيَ وَلَا الْقَلَائِدَ وَلَا آمِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَانًا

Transliteration:
Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā tuḥillū shaʿāʾira Allāhi wa-lā al-shahra al-ḥarāma wa-lā al-hadya wa-lā al-qalāʾida wa-lā āmmīna al-bayta al-ḥarāma yabtaghūna faḍlan min rabbihim wa-riḍwānā

Translation:
"O you who believe, do not violate the symbols of Allah, nor the sacred month, nor the sacrificial animals, nor the garlanded animals, nor those proceeding to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and His pleasure." (Al-Māʾidah 2)

2. Sacrificial Animals Among the Symbols of Allah

Arabic:
وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Transliteration:
Wa-al-budna jaʿalnāhā lakum min shaʿāʾiri Allāhi lakum fīhā khayr, fa-udhkurū isma Allāhi ʿalayhā ṣawāff, fa-idhā wajabat junūbuhā fa-kulū minhā wa-aṭʿimū al-qāniʿa wa-al-muʿtarra, kadhālika sakhkharnāhā lakum laʿallakum tashkurūn

Translation:
"And the sacrificial camels We have made for you among the symbols of Allah; for you in them is good. So mention the name of Allah over them while they are lined up. Then when they fall upon their sides, eat from them and feed the contented and the one who asks. Thus We have subjected them to you so that you may be grateful." (Al-Ḥajj 36)

3. The True Spirit of Sacrifice

The true purpose and spirit of sacrifice is not merely the slaughtering of animals, but the sacrifice of worldly attachments and desires, and complete submission before the command of Allah.

Allah declares that neither the flesh nor the blood of the sacrifice reaches Him. Charity given from unlawful wealth is not acceptable. Yet people sometimes perform sacrifice using wealth earned unlawfully and do so merely to gain recognition among people. In such cases, not only is the act already tainted by sin, but it is further corrupted by the sin of showing off.

On the Day of Resurrection, a person will be brought forward and Allah will ask him: “What did you do with the wealth that I granted you in the world?” He will say: “O Lord, I spent it for Your sake on the poor and offered sacrifices.” Allah will say: “You have lied. Your intention was that people should praise you and speak well of you.” And indeed that praise was already achieved in the world. Then it will be commanded: “Take him away,” and he will be dragged on his face into the Fire.

Reflect carefully: many people behave in this very manner. Someone says: “So-and-so sacrificed four animals; we will sacrifice five.” But rarely does anyone say: “So-and-so pleased Allah, and I have fallen behind.” We have forgotten the One who never forgets us. What benefit is there in showing deeds to people? Present them instead before the One who sees you everywhere.

4. True Acceptance of Sacrifice

Arabic:
لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Transliteration:
Lan yanāla Allāha luḥūmuhā wa-lā dimāʾuhā wa-lākin yanāluhu al-taqwā minkum, kadhālika sakhkharahā lakum li-tukabbirū Allāha ʿalā mā hadākum wa-bashshiri al-muḥsinīn

Translation:
"Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but what reaches Him is your piety. Thus He has subjected them to you so that you may glorify Allah for what He has guided you to. And give glad tidings to those who do good." (Al-Ḥajj 37)

5. Command to Pray and Offer Sacrifice

Arabic:
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ

Transliteration:
Fa-ṣalli li-rabbika wa-inḥar

Translation:
"So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice." (Al-Kawthar 2)