Top representative of the most prominent Muslim organisations in India on Friday issued a detailed advisory about ‘Dos and Don’ts’ regarding animal sacrifice during the forthcoming Eid-ul-Adha on August 22.
The 8-point advisory, issued ahead of the festival of Eid asks Muslims to avoid making animal sacrifice on the streets and public places, and identify common open grounds for carrying out the religious obligation while ensuring “highest level of cleanliness and hygiene”.
The advisory also highlights the significance of extending help to the poor and needy.
The advisory has been signed by some of the most prominent heads of influential Muslim organisations that include Maulana Syed Muhammad Rabey Husni Nadwi, President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari – President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Syed Mehmood Asad Madani, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulema e Hind, Naved Hamid President of All India Muslim Majlis e Mushawarat, Maulana Ali Azgar, Imam Mehdi, President of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees Hind, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, secretary of AIMPLB, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad Naqvi, senate member of AIMPLB, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, member of AIMPLB and Maulana Yaseen Akhtar Misbaahi, Founder and President of Darul Qalam Qadri Masjid New Delhi.
The Ulema have urged people not to offer animal sacrifice on roads, footpaths and pathways.
“Rather perform the qurbani in open spaces. Ensure that you are burying the blood and entrails of the animal in the earth after the qurbani and also ensure the highest level of cleanliness and hygiene,” the advisory states.
Addressing Muslims from across different states, the advisory has asked people to try and perform the Qurbani collectively in neighborhoods, towns and cities.
“You should try to procure a ground or space where people can bring their animals and do their qurbani,” the advisory says.
Highlighting the importance of brotherhood and harmony, the advisory cautions, “Do not give chance by your actions and behavior for any kind of complaint to your neighbors.”
“You should not allow relations to become strained and must exercise maximum self-control and self-restraint.”
The advisory says people should form a committee comprising of senior and responsible citizens, ahead of Eid to ensure that distribution of sacrificial meat and hides benefits the poor and the needy.
“If you come across news of some unpleasant incident then immediately bring it to the notice of the above mentioned committee and take the necessary action only after thoroughly cross-checking the veracity of the reported incident,” the Ulema have advised.
“Pray to Almighty Allah that this Eid proves to be a blessed one for our community, for the country and the whole world.”
Highlighting the need to follow the message of Eid-ul-Adha in “letter and spirit”, the advisory also explains that Qurbani is not “merely a ritual or a custom” but it is a Sunnah of the Prophet Ibrahim which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) followed.
“Qurbani is an important form of worship. It cannot be replaced by some other acts of piety. Therefore one must obey and follow the injunctions of Deen and Shariat. Please ensure to recite the ‘Takbeer’ during the days of Eid.”