We have now entered the noble and Blessed month of Dhul Hijjah which means that Qurbani is just days away, and thus much excitement has set in. Preparations are underway, knives are being sent for sharpening, butchers are readying themselves for the influx of meat, and families are setting themselves up for a day of sacrificial slaughtering.

The blood stained clothes, the stench-filled yard, the sight of children equally terrified and fascinated by having animals in their midst are all part of the Ibadah of Qurbani.

But there is more significance to it than it being a day of commemoration.

As Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quraan:

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنْحَرْ
Hence, pray unto thy Sustainer [alone], and sacrifice [unto Him alone]. [Al Kawther:2]
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Say: “Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice my life and my death are (all) for Allah the Cherisher of the Worlds [Al Anaam:162]

The word nusuk (translated here as sacrifice) means sacrifice; this is the view of Sa’eed ibn Jubayr RA. And it was said that it means all acts of worship, including sacrifice, which is more comprehensive.

Doing the Qurbani is a very virtuous act in the sight of Allah.

In this regard, Aisha رضي الله عنها says that Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم said:
مَا عَمِلَ ابْنُ آدَمَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ عَمَلًا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، مِنْ اِهرَاقَةِ دَمٍ، وَإِنَّهُ لَيَأْتِيْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، بِقُرُوْنِهَا، وَأَظْلَافِهَا، وَأَشْعَارِهَا، وَإِنَّ الدَّمَ، لَيَقَعُ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، بِمَكَانٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ، فَطِيْبُوْا بِهَا نَفْسًا

“There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of sacrifice than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animals shall come on the day of Qiyaamah with its horns, hairs and hooves. The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore, sacrifice with an open and happy heart.” [Ibn Majah, Pg.226, A similar narration is reported in Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1493]

It is also narrated that the person who sacrifices with a willing heart and with the intention of reward, that sacrifice will shield him from the fire of Hell on the Day of Judgement.

About this, Ali رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم said:
‘O People! Sacrifice and expect a reward from its blood, for surely, although the blood falls on the ground, it falls under the protection of Allah.’