Qurbani – The Annual Sacrifice of the Hajj Season


Qurbani is an Urdu and Persian word derived from Qurban, which means an act or sacrifice performed to please Allah. The Arabic word used for Qurbani is Udhiya whichmore direcrlt translates to mean sacrificing an animal.


Although there are other types of animal sacrifice in Islam, such as the sacrifice of thanks that one offers after having a son or daughter, here we are talking about the sacrifice that is performed as part of the annual Hajj or pilgrimage ritual that is performed by Muslims every year in Makkah, and it applies to people performing Hajj as well as Muslims at home as well.


Qurbani is an act of worship and it is compulsory (wajib) on every adult Muslim man and woman who is sane, not travelling, and owns goods, valuables, property, or currencyequal to or more in value than the Nisaab (baseline level of income). The Nisaab is used to determine whether or not someone owns enough property to comfortably cover their annual expenses and the rate comes to ownership of 612.36 grams of silver or 87.48 grams of gold. [1] [2]


Performing the Qurbaniis one of the ways in which we honor the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (peace be upon them both) were willing to make for the sake Allah. Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) performed this ritual as well, and Muslims today continue to follow his sunnah (prophetic tradition).


But why is it important to remember the story of Ibrahim and Ismail every year?


Ibrahim’s test teaches us many things important to strengthen our faith. The most important of these is complete devotion and submission to Allah. The literal meaning of the word Islam is submission, so as Muslims, we are required to devote ourselves completely to Allah.


When Prophet Ibrahim offered his son as a sacrifice, he showed his total submission to the will of Allah. For this, Allah not only saved his son, but also rewarded Prophet Ibrahim, as stated in the Quran:


’And We left for him (meaning Ibrahim) favorable mention among later generations. Peace upon Ibrahim. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was of Our believing servants. And We gave him good tidings of Isaac (Ishaaq), a prophet from among the righteous. And We blessed him and Isaac. (Qur’an, chapter 37, verses 108-113).


Another central teaching from the story of Ibrahim and Ismail is patience. 


When Ismail’s father tells him about his dream in which God Almighty commands him to sacrifice Ismail, he replies:

O my father, do what you are commanded to do. You will find me, God willing, patient’. (Quran, chapter 37, verse 102).


A natural human reaction in such a situation would have been fear. Fear of death can weaken anybody's faith. However, we see Ismail's faith gave him the strength to face the situation with patience.


For the submission of Ibrahim toward Allah's will and Ismail's acceptance of the decision, Allah rewarded them.


“And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision”. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial and We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. (Quran, chapter 37, verses 103-107).


And this is another important as well as reassuring lesson we learn from the story: no act of worship or sacrifice that a Muslim does for Allah or for the deen(the religion) goes wasted or unnoticed. Every single act is recorded by Allah and is rewarded.Every test that a Muslim patiently endures, hoping for Allah's blessings, will be rewarded. [3]


Virtues of Qurbani



The virtues of Qurbani or Udhiya are established from the following peophetic narrations:



Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sacrificed with his own hands two white rams with black markings. He took the name of Allah and recited Takbir (meaning he said ‘Allah-o-Akbar’, or ‘Allah is the Greatest). Anas states that he saw him putting his foot upon their buttocks and saying: "In the name of Allah. And Allah is the Greatest". [4]



We learn from this narration that we should try to perform the sacrifice with our own hands.



Jaber (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) slaughtered on the day of sacrifice two horned, white and black castrated rams. When he faced them towards the Qibla (towards Makkah), he said: "Verily I turn my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, while being upon the religion of Ibrahim, being upright, and I am not one of the polytheists. Verily my prayer, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. There is no partner with him and I have been ordered that, and I am one of the Muslims. O Allah, it is Thine and for Thee, from Muhammad and his Ummah: In the name of Allah. Allah is the greatest". He then slaughtered the rams. [5]



Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The son of Adam does not perform any actions on the day of sacrifice which is more pleasing to Allah than the shedding of blood. He will come on the day of resurrection with its hair, horns and hooves, and the blood certainly will fall in a place near Allah before it falls on the ground. So, make yourselves purified therewith. [6] [7]


Significance of performing Qurbani


It is stated in the Quran:

“So turn in prayer towards your Lord and sacrifice (animals).” (Quran, chapter 108, verse 2)

Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said:

There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbanithan the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore, sacrifice with an open and happy heart. [8]


ZaydibnArqam (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What is Qurbani?” He replied, “It is the Sunnah (legal tradition and way) of your father Ibrahim (peace be upon him).” They asked again, “What benefit do we get from it?” He answered, “A reward for every hair (of the sacrificed animal).” “And [what reward is there for animals with] wool, O Messenger of Allah?” they asked. “A reward”, he said, “for every fiber of the wool.” [9]


The significance of Qurbanican be understood from the following verse of the Quran:


‘Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good’. (Quran, chapter 22, verse 37)


This shows Qurbani’s significance as an act of worship and also explains how it is the symbolism of the act rather than the act itself which makes the sacrifice so important. Allah does not need our sacrifice. He created all life and He can call life back to Him when He sees fit. He does not need another of His creation to kill for Him. Qurbani is in fact an act that benefits us. By sacrificing something of our own for the sake of Allah, we are nurturing our faith, strengthening our capacity for patience, and reminding ourselves of the brief nature of the life of this world.


The sacrifice is an opportunity to increase in piety and to draw closer to Allah.


The one who does not perform Qurbani


If a person does not perform Qurbani, even if he or she can afford to do so, they is missing out on many rewards. However, not performing the Qurbaniitself is not a sin as such, and he or she does not have to make up what they missed in years past, because Qurbaniis Sunnah and recommended but not obligatory, and the time for it has gone. This applies as long as someone did not vow to perform a sacrifice. For those who vowed to perform a sacrifice, the act then becomes obligatory.

A religious book entitled al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah says that if a person does not offer a sacrifice before the time has passed, if it was a voluntary sacrifice he should not offer it; rather they have missed the opportunity to offer a sacrifice this year. But if it was a vow, he or she has to offer a sacrifice and make up what they were obliged to do. [10]

The time of Qurbani

- Qurbanican only be performed during the three days of Dhu’l-Hijjah (the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar), on the 10th, 11th and 12th, and cannot be performed in any other day of the year.

- Although Qurbaniis permissible on each of the above three days, the first day (i.e. the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah) is the most preferable and desired day.

- Qurbani cannot be performed before the special Eidholiday prayer that is performed on the 10th of Dhu’ Hijjah.

- Qurbanican be performed during nighttime, but it is preferable to perform it during the daytime.

May Allah guide us to what He loves and approves, and shower His blessings and mercy upon us all, amen.





References:




[4] Found in SahihBukhari and Sahih Muslim

[5] Found in Ahmed, Abu Daud, and IbneMajah

[6] Found in Tirmizi, and IbnMajah




[8] Found in SunanTirmidhi and SunanIbnMajah

[9] Found in SunanIbnMajah


The Sunnah Healing of Cupping (Hijama)



What is cupping therapy (Hijama)?

Wet cupping, or medical bleeding, is called Hijama in Arabic. The procedure is performed by drawing blood through suction from a small incision in the skin. It is one of the oldest and effective methods of releasing toxins from the body. Cupping relieves pain and pressure from the area in which it is performed by applying negative pressure; it helps in getting rid of negative pathogens by drawing out excess blood. Cupping helps in increasing blood circulation and it helps in the treatment of many health problems and also boosts the immune system. [1] [2]


Prophetic method of performing Hijama

Here are a number of authentic narrations about cupping. [3]

In an authentic narration, Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If there is any good in your medical treatments, it is in the knife of the cupper, drinking honey, or cauterization with fire, as appropriate to the cause of the illness, but I would not like to be cauterized.” [4]


According to a hadeeth (prophetic tradition) that was narrated by Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I did not pass by any group on the night when I was taken on the Night Journey (Isra’), but they said to me, ‘O Muhammad, tell your Ummah to do cupping.’” [5]


Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was treated with cupping, and he paid the cupper his fee.” [6] 


Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah was treated with cupping by Abu Tayyibah. He commanded that he should be given two measures of food, and he spoke with his tax-collectors, who reduced his taxes. He said, “The best treatment you can use is cupping.” [7]


The best days for cupping

Various narrations state that the best days of the week for cupping are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday while the best dates are the 17th, 19th and the 21st of the Islamic lunar month.


When talking about Islamic days, the night enters before the day. To illustrate what this means, Tuesday after sunset is when Wednesday night starts, therefore it is better to perform cupping during the daytime on any of the days or dates mentioned above.


Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever wants to perform cupping then let him search for the 17th, 19th and 21st." [8]


Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Cupping on an empty stomach is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory. It improves the memory of the one memorizing. So whoever is going to be cupped then (let it be) on a Thursday in the name of Allah. 

Keep away from being cupped on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Be cupped on a Monday or Tuesday. Do not be cupped on a Wednesday because it is the day that Ayub (Job) was befallen with a trial. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night." [9]

If one is not able to be cupped on the 17th, 19th or 21st (coinciding with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday) then any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday of the month is fine.


Cupping while fasting or while in the state of Ihram

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. [10]

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) was cupped while he was fasting. [11]


Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked: "Did you dislike cupping for the fasting person?" He said, "No, except for the reason of one becoming weak." [12]


It appears that cupping is allowed but disliked as Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned because the fasting person becomes weak if they perform cupping, and Allah knows best. 


Areas of cupping

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) was treated with cupping three times on the two veins at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. [13]


Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) was cupped on his head. [14]


Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) used to cup his head and would call it (the place at the top of the head) "Umm Mugheeth." [15]



Cupping for women

Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Umm Salama (one of the wives of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with her) asked permission from the Messenger (peace be upon him) to be treated with cupping so the Messenger (peace be upon him) ordered Abu Teeba (may Allah be pleased with him) to cup her. Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, " I think he (meaning the Messenger, peace be upon him) said that Abu Teeba (may Allah be pleased with him) is her brother through breastfeeding or was a young boy who didn't reach puberty". [16]


Who should do cupping for you?

Cupping should be done by an experienced professional. They should use equipment that is properly cleaned and sterilized or use new instruments for every client. It is important to make sure that the procedure is done properly and the cupper should make sure that no blood reaches the stomach of the patient. 


The International Cupping Therapy Association (https://www.cuppingtherapy.org/) is an organization that aims to educate people about the many benefits of cupping therapy. It has partnered with EarthSpa R&D, makers of high-quality and reliable cupping therapy equipment, to allow people to undergo the treatment hassle and worry-free. In addition to cupping, they promote Decompressive Release Techniques (DRT) which also provide a wide range of therapeutic and health benefits. 

They have offices in Idaho and Washington State and can be contacted at the address above for workshop information, equipment, and general queries.


If you were on the fence about this prophetic medical procedure, we hope this post does away with any doubts or uncertainties you may have had and we hope you are able to perform and benefit from this highly recommended treatment.


References




[4] Reported by al-Bukhaari, 10/139

[5]Reported by Ibn Maajah; it has corroborating evidence which strengthens it

[6] Reported by al-Bukhaari, 10/124; Muslim 1202

[7] Reported by al-Bukhaari, 10/126; Muslim, 1577

[8] Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)

[9] Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3488)

[10] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5701)

[11] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5694)

[12] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1940)

[13] Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3860), Ibn Maajah (3483)

[14] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5699)

[15] Saheehah (753), Saheeh al-Jaami' (4804)

[16] Saheeh Muslim (5708), Abu Dawud (4102), Saheeh ibn Maajah (3480)

How to Convert (or Revert) to Islam

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful


Overview
This article first discusses how to convert (or revert) to Islam and provides details regarding the performance of ablution and purification acts, and it wraps up with some of the rewards and blessings promised to those who call others to Islam.

Introduction
The word 'Islam' basically means 'submission' and it is derived from the Arabic word for peace. Islam teaches us that to achieve peace of mind and peace in our hearts, we must submit to Allah and live life according to His law. Total submission is all that is required to enter this glorious religion.
Islam is the only religion that Allah will accept on the Day of Judgement, and every other religion will be rejected. 

In the Quran, at two different places Allah says:
"Truly, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam." (Quran, chapter 3, verse 19).
"And whosoever desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who are lost." (Quran, chapter 3, verse 85).

Blessed are those who do not fall for the distractions of this world and are in search of the true meaning of life, and have found Islam as their path and have found their heart ready to enter this religion of peace.

The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: "Every child is born in a state of fitrah (a natural inclination to be free of false beliefs and to believe in One True Lord) and then his parents make him into a Jew or a Christian or a Zoroastrian." [1]

It is for this reason that when people accept Islam, we say that they are actually reverting to the Islam that they were born into, instead of saying that they are converting to something that is new, because it isn't!

The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) also said: "If a servant accepts Islam and completes his Islam, Allah will record for him every good deed that he performed before [his Islam] and Allah will erase for him every evil deed that he did before [his Islam]. Then everything after that will be according to retribution. For every good deed, he will be recorded ten-fold up to seven hundred fold. And for every evil deed, he will be recorded similarly, only [one] for it, unless Allah overlooks that for him." [2] 

This is a special bounty that Allah has bestows upon whomever He chooses for this blessing.

Before you revert
Before reentering the fold of Islam, you should spend time thoroughly studying the religion so that the decision to revert comes from the heart after knowing the implications of the decision, the importance of taking the step, and understanding what is required of you once you have taken your testimony of faith (the Shahada). 

Your acceptance of the faith and your readiness to submit yourself to Allah should not be taken under any pressure of any kind. Remember that there is no compulsion in religion and that nobody can force someone else to become a Muslim against their own, free will.

To become a Muslim, you should know and believe in your heart that the following (which are called the articles of faith) are true:
  1. That there is One Allah (the One True God)
  2. That He has created Angels
  3. That He has sent down Holy Books (Scriptures) for the guidance of mankind
  4. That He sent Prophets and Messengers for the guidance of mankind
  5. That the Last Day (the Day of Judgment or the Day of Resurrection) is true and will come to pass
  6. That fate or destiny, whether good or bad, is from the decree of Allah

At its core, being a Muslim means believing that these things, all of which are part of the unseen world, are the truth. Everything that follows after that is based on belief in the above.

Please read the 5 pillars of Islam:  http://learnislam1.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-five-pillars-of-islam-that-you-must.html

How to revert to Islam
Embracing Islam is very easy, and anyone can become a Muslim. You can even do it if you are alone. Entering Islam does not require a special ceremony or specific procedures of any kind that have to be performed in front of other people, nor does Islam require the consent of other people. It is a private, personal matter between the person and Allah and does not require the permission or acceptance of family, community, or court.

The steps for reversion are as follows:
1.      Make the intention to embrace Islam and say the following terms with faith and belief (these are the words of the Shahadah):
-        "Ash-hadu anna la ilaha illa Allah" (I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah)
-        "Wa ash-hadu ana Muhammad Rasulullah" (And I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)

2.      After saying the Shahadah, take a shower to purify your body and symbolically cleanse yourself from your past life and wash away the sins you committed before Islam.

Although you can say the Shahadah alone, if you need the help of another Muslim for pronouncing the words correctly or for moral support, then there is no harm in asking any Muslim you know to help you. If there is an Islamic center or mosque near where you live, you can go there for additional help. You can also find additional details and materials online, but performing the two basic steps above will suffice for you to re-enter the fold of Islam and formally become a Muslim.

After you enter Islam
Becoming a Muslim is not a single-step process but it is a lifetime commitment. After you have entered Islam, study it slow and gradually, and follow it in your everyday routine according to your own abilities. In every decision you make, first think about what Islam has to say about the matter. The general rule is to ask yourself this: What does Allah want from me now, and what are the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding it?

Do not shy away from asking questions. No one is perfect, everyone learns something new every day, and even if someone is born a Muslim, that does not guarantee that they are perfect or are guaranteed anything. Everyone has their own struggles and tests designed by Allah for that specific person based on the path and story that He wants for them in life, to teach them, to open their eyes to the right thing at the right time, and to slowly yet surely help them make their way through the maze of life. 

Learn by reading books, and remember that the Quran itself is a complete guide that should be read and studied every day, even if for only a few minutes.

An authentic narration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) states: "Islam is built upon five [pillars]: The testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing regular prayer (salat); paying obligatory charity (zakat); performing the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj); and fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm)."

Once you have entered Islam, you need to learn about all these pillars of Islam and how to perform them.

Help others to revert and practice Islam
If you are a Muslim by birth or you reverted at any age, it is a blessing of Allah Almighty. It is a blessing to have your heart opened to the only religion that is acceptable to Him, and it is a blessing to be amongst the nation and followers of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). You should be grateful for it and thank Allah for every breath you take as a Muslim. 

As a Muslim, it is your duty to make sure others are aware of this divine religion as well. Remember, however, that in this regard, we are not held to account for outcomes, and we cannot make anyone accept Islam. We can only be a beacon of light and show others the way, and the rest is up to them. As mentioned above, Islam is not a religion of compulsion, and it is a personal choice, so spread the message in the best way you possibly can and pray for the guidance of others and leave the rest to Allah.

Allah says in the Quran: 
"You (the true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and the real followers of the Prophet Muhammad and his tradition) are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin good (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid evil (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah." [Quran, chapter 3, verse 110].

If someone embraces Islam or does any good deed as a result of your preaching, you will be rewarded with the same reward that they are given every time they do any good, that too without any reduction in the reward of the one practicing it. This is why the Quran refers to belief and calling to the path of Islam a very profitable 'trade' (Quran, chapter 61, verses 10 and 11). 

If you can call one person to Islam, and they call five people, and the chain continues, then for every single person in the chain who comes to Islam because of your efforts, you get a full reward for every single one of their actions because they would not have been able to do the good they are doing if it were not for you. What a profitable trade indeed!

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The one who guides others to goodness will have a reward like that of the one who does it." And he (peace be upon him) said to his cousin ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), when he sent him to the Jews of Khaybar to call them to Islam: "By Allah, if Allah were to guide one man through you, that would be better for you than having red camels (the best kind)." And he (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever calls others to right guidance will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest."

References
[2] Recorded by Malik and al-Nasaa’i. According to al-Albaani, it is Sahih. Al-Albani, Saheeh al-Jaami, vol. 1, p. 122