| Answer: Before I answer your question let me first point
out that animal sacrifice is an optional worship ritual on
‘īd. It is not mandatory; however, it is highly desirable if
its underlying philosophy and wisdom is understood.
Now coming to this philosophy:
There are many
things which must not be taken on their face value; they have
a deeper significance and philosophy. They symbolize certain
realities and are not an end in themselves. For example, a
country’s flag symbolizes its national entity and honour. The
piece of cloth in itself is nothing if we come to think of it;
however, if we view it as a representative of our solidarity
and honour, we may become so emotional about it that our
patriotism will not let us drop it to the ground. We would
even lay down our lives for it. The second thing that perhaps
needs to be considered is that once a country’s flag is
invested with such significance, no other act or practice can
replace it or replace our sentiments for it. Thus for example
we cannot say that a country’s national anthem can replace its
flag – both have their own independent significance.
Animal sacrifice is also a symbolic act. It is not an end
in itself as the prayer or the zakah for example are. It is a
means to an end. We must discover the end.
The reason for animal sacrifice on eid is to commemorate a
great event which depicts an extraordinary expression of
submission to the command of Allah – the essence of Islam. The
Prophet Abraham (sws) while obeying the Almighty set a
platinum example of this submission. When we offer an animal
in sacrifice, we actually symbolize our intention that we are
ready to sacrifice our lives for the cause of God whenever the
need arises.
Another conclusion that can be drawn is that no other act
of worship can replace animal sacrifice since animal sacrifice
has a specific significance. It is much like saying that hajj
and zakah are not interchangeable since both have their own
purpose and importance.
Actually an important thing which hinders our understanding
of animal sacrifice is that we think that its primary purpose
is to feed the poor and hence the question instantaneously
comes to our mind as to why we cannot help the poor in some
other more productive way like, for example, providing them
with vocational training or sending the younger lot to school.
Now what needs to be realized is that feeding the poor is a
secondary purpose of animal sacrifice. Its primary purpose as
explained above is to symbolize the fact that today we are
presenting this animal for sacrifice to God -- tomorrow if a
need arises, we will present our life too for the cause of
God. So it is primarily this symbolism which must always be
looked at when understanding the act of animal sacrifice and
not feeding of the poor with the slaughtered animal’s meet.
Moreover, it is to this reality that the following verse
points:
لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا
دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنكُمْ كَذَلِكَ
سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ
وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ (٣٧:٢٢)
The flesh and blood [of] these
[sacrificed animals] does not reach God; it is only your piety
that reaches Him. Thus has He subjected them to your service
so that you may give glory to God for guiding you. [This is
the way of the righteous] and [O Prophet!] give glad tidings
to these righteous. (22:37)
Thus, while helping the poor in various ways is itself a
very commendable practice, yet it cannot take the place of
animal sacrifice.
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