Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is an important moment for Muslims worldwide. On this day, Muslims are encouraged to perform the act of Qurban by sacrificing livestock such as goats, sheep, cows, or camels. The sacrificial animals are then distributed to those in need as an expression of social care and obedience to Allah SWT.
However, when choosing the sacrificial animal, there are certain conditions and requirements that must be fulfilled. One of them is regarding the gender of the animal. Should the sacrificial animal be male, or can it be female? Why is it recommended to sacrifice male animals? What are the reasons behind it?
Is it Necessary for the Qurban Animal to be Male?
According to the majority of scholars, the sacrificial animal can be either male or female. There is no specific evidence that prohibits or mandates a particular gender for the Qurban animal. This is based on a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which states:
عَنْ أُمِّ كُرَيْزٍ، قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ عَلَى الْغُلاَمِ شَاتَانِ وَعَلَى الْجَارِيَةِ شَاةٌ لاَ يُضِرُّكُمْ ذُكُورًا كُنَّ أَوْ إِنَاثًا
"Ummu Kuraz reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say, 'For a male child, two sheep are sufficient and for a female child, one sheep is sufficient, whether male or female.'" (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
This hadith indicates that when it comes to 'aqiqah (a sacrifice performed for a newborn child), the gender of the animal is not an issue. It is then analogized with the ruling for Qurban, as both are acts of worship involving the sacrifice of animals.
Imam An-Nawawi, in Al-Majmu' Syarh al-Muhadzzab, explains:
ويجوز فيها الذكر والانثى لما روت أم كرز عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: على الغلام شاتان وعلى الجارية شاة لا يضركم ذكرانا كن أو أناثا
"It is permissible to sacrifice both male and female animals, based on the narration of Ummu Kuraz from the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he said: 'For a male child, two sheep are sufficient and for a female child, one sheep is sufficient, whether male or female.'" (See: An-Nawawi, al-Majmu'Syarh Muhazzab, Beirut: Dar al-Fikri, no date, vol. 8, p. 392)
Therefore, it can be concluded that the sacrificial animal does not have to be male; it can also be female. As long as the animal meets the other requirements, such as the type, age, and being free from defects.
Why is it Recommended to Sacrifice Male Animals?
Although the sacrificial animal can be either male or female, there are several reasons why sacrificing male animals is recommended. These reasons include:
- Male animals are more preferable than female animals.
This is based on a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which states:
أَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا، وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا
"The most valuable and precious to the owner." (Sahih Bukhari)
This hadith indicates that male animals are usually more expensive and more valuable than female animals. This is because male animals have more functions, such as breeding, fattening, or participation in races. Therefore, sacrificing male animals is more preferable as it demonstrates generosity and enhances the perfection of worship.
- Male animals are more abundant and their meat is fresher.
This is based on the statements of scholars who state that male animals are usually fatter and healthier than female animals. This is because female animals often experience pregnancy and nursing, which deplete their energy and nutrients. Therefore, sacrificing male animals is more preferable as it provides more benefits to those who receive the meat.
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sacrificed male animals.
This is based on a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which states:
ضَحَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِكَبْشَيْنِ أَمْلَحَيْنِ أَقْرَنَيْنِ، ذَبَحَهُمَا بِيَدِهِ وَسَمَّى وَكَبَّرَ وَوَضَعَ رِجْلَهُ عَلَى صِفَاحِهِمَا
"The Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed two white, horned male sheep. He slaughtered them with his own hands, recited the basmalah (in the name of Allah) and takbir (Allahu Akbar), and placed his foot on the side of the sheep." (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
This hadith indicates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set an example for his followers by sacrificing male animals. This becomes a commendable tradition for Muslims to emulate.
Conclusion
From the explanations above, it can be concluded that:
- The sacrificial animal for Qurban can be either male or female, as there is no specific evidence that prohibits or mandates a particular gender.
- Sacrificing male animals for Qurban is recommended due to several reasons: male animals are more preferable than female animals, male animals are more abundant and their meat is fresher, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself sacrificed male animals.
- The sacrificial animal must fulfill other requirements, such as the type, age, and being free from defects.
In summary, this short article provides insights into why sacrificing male animals is recommended for Qurban. We hope that this information is beneficial and enriches your knowledge. Thank you for reading this article.
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