As we prepare for Dahiyyah
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- Category: Philosofaith
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
- Hits: 631
Sequel to the official statement issued by Saudi Arabian authorities which declares Monday November 15, 2010 as Arafat day, and a follow-up announcement in Nigeria by the spokesman of the Sultan of Sokoto; this year’s Eid-el-Kabir comes up next week Tuesday November 16, 2010 insha Allah, being the tenth day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah. It is an occasion upon which Muslims are enjoined to offer animal sacrifices to commemorate the initial sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). “Dahiyyah” is the Arabic name for this sacrifice even though “Layya” which is a “corrupted” form of the word has been adopted for it by other languages outside the Arab world including Nigeria.
As we prepare for this year’s Dahiyyah, this column finds it necessary to remind readers of certain requirements in the observance of the Eid-el-kabir. Muslims are enjoined by the sunnah of the Prohet (SAW) to dress up in their best attires on each of the two Eid days (fitr and kabir). Unlike the Eid-el-fitr, Muslims are not required to eat but rather fast on the Eid-el-kabir day until they have observed the Eid prayer, which is usually conducted at an open space or plain ground in the outskirts of the town or city. According to Abu Hurayrah (RA), the Prophet (SAW) never observed the Eid prayer in the mosque except once and that was because of rainfall at the time of the prayer. The Eid prayer is open to all, including women, young and old. Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) used to go out for the Eid prayer along with his wives and daughters. We are discouraged from engaging in discussions while on the way to the Eid praying ground. Instead, it is recommended that worshippers should keep glorifying Allah’s name through tasbih, tahlil, takbir and tahmid while going for the prayers, on foot or by transport.Eid-el-kabir prayer which is sunnah consists of only two raka’ats; without a call to prayer (adhan) or a second call to salat indicating the beginning of the prayer (iqamah). No superogatory prayer (nafilah) prayer is required to be observed before or after the Eid prayer; because neither the Prophet (SAW) nor his Companions did that. It is a Prophetic tradition to remain behind and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the prayer leader (Imam) immediately the Eid prayer is over. Whoever missed the Eid prayer may wish to observe it alone or in the congregation of other worshippers who missed the same prayer. Women who wish to observe the two raka’ats of the Eid prayer at home could do so in congregation of other women led by one of them. It should however be noted that the female prayer leader in a congregational prayer that mainly consists of women stands in the first row, among other female worshippers, to lead them in the prayer.
The sacrifice of animals commences only after the leader of the Muslim community in which one lives or resides has slaughtered his own animal. Anyone who hastens to do that before the Muslim leader of his community slaughters his Dahiyyah is deemed to have offered no sacrifice. In the Maliki School of Islamic jurisprudence, the reward of the Dahiyyah is proportionate to the type and size of the animal offered for the sacrifice. The superiority of the slaughter animals is in the following order of priority beginning from the most preferred to the less. It begins with the un-castrated ram; then a castrated ram; then a sheep; followed by an un-castrated he-goat; then a castrated he-goat, then a she-goat; followed by a bull; then a cow; followed by a male camel; then a she-camel. However, preference is in the reverse order in the case of hadyah for Muslims who are on pilgrimage to Makkah. It is required that the sacrificial animal must be sound and healthy. It is forbidden to use a sick, emaciated, or visually impaired (partially or fully) animal for Dahiyyah. Similarly, an animal with broken horn(s), split ear(s) or other forms of disabilities should not be used for the sacrifice.
Islam recommends that we should eat and share with others from the meat of the Dahiyyah. While some scholars opine that we should share two-third of the meat to others and eat one-third, other scholars are of the view that fractional distribution in not necessary. Nonetheless, our symbolic act of sacrifice finds genuine expression in our benevolence to share the meat with others including non-Muslims. Alms (sadaqah), in Islam and according to prophetic teachings, extend to beneficiaries outside the fold of Islam. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 60:8 “Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just”. It is preferred that the owner of the animal slaughters it by himself. There is no harm if others do it on his/her behalf. However, the practice where the name of the owner of the Dahiyyah is mentioned at the time of slaughtering the animal lacks basis in Islam. It is recommended that Allah’s name is glorified after every obligatory prayer beginning from the noon (zuhr) prayer of the Eid-el-kabir day (10th Dhul-Hijjah) and terminating after the early morning (subh) prayer of the fourth day of the Eid. One of the suggested texts for the glorification is: “Allahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar; Laa ilaha illa-llah; Wallahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar; Wa lillah il-Hamd”.
Fasting on Arafat day:
Muslims are encouraged to engage in acts of devotion during the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. They are advised to observe voluntary fast and engage much in tahlil (saying of Laa ilaha illa-llah), takbir (saying of Allah Akbar) and tahmid (saying of Alhamdu lillah). The pinnacle of devotion during these ten days is the observance of voluntary fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, which is the Arafat day. Imam Muslim (RA) relates on the authority of Abu Qatadah (RA) that the Prophet SAW) said, “(While) fasting on Arafat day expiates for (sins committed in) two years: the previous and the next; fasting on Aashura expiates for the previous year”. We therefore urge Muslims to observe voluntary fast on Monday November 15, 2010 which has been declared as this year’s Arafat day. May Allah (SWT) accept our fast, our sacrifices and indeed all our other acts of devotion, amin. Happy Sallah in advance!
Articles
As we prepare for Dahiyyah
Category: Philosofaith Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 631
Sequel to the official statement issued by Saudi Arabian authorities which declares Monday November 15, 2010 as Arafat day, and a follow-up announcement in Nigeria by the spokesman of the Sultan of Sokoto; this year’s Eid-el-Kabir comes up next week Tuesday November 16, 2010 insha Allah, being the tenth day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah. It is an occasion upon which Muslims are enjoined to offer animal sacrifices to commemorate the initial sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). “Dahiyyah” is the Arabic name for this sacrifice even though “Layya” which is a “corrupted” form of the word has been adopted for it by other languages outside the Arab world including Nigeria.
As we prepare for this year’s Dahiyyah, this column finds it necessary to remind readers of certain requirements in the observance of the Eid-el-kabir. Muslims are enjoined by the sunnah of the Prohet (SAW) to dress up in their best attires on each of the two Eid days (fitr and kabir). Unlike the Eid-el-fitr, Muslims are not required to eat but rather fast on the Eid-el-kabir day until they have observed the Eid prayer, which is usually conducted at an open space or plain ground in the outskirts of the town or city. According to Abu Hurayrah (RA), the Prophet (SAW) never observed the Eid prayer in the mosque except once and that was because of rainfall at the time of the prayer. The Eid prayer is open to all, including women, young and old. Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) used to go out for the Eid prayer along with his wives and daughters. We are discouraged from engaging in discussions while on the way to the Eid praying ground. Instead, it is recommended that worshippers should keep glorifying Allah’s name through tasbih, tahlil, takbir and tahmid while going for the prayers, on foot or by transport.Eid-el-kabir prayer which is sunnah consists of only two raka’ats; without a call to prayer (adhan) or a second call to salat indicating the beginning of the prayer (iqamah). No superogatory prayer (nafilah) prayer is required to be observed before or after the Eid prayer; because neither the Prophet (SAW) nor his Companions did that. It is a Prophetic tradition to remain behind and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the prayer leader (Imam) immediately the Eid prayer is over. Whoever missed the Eid prayer may wish to observe it alone or in the congregation of other worshippers who missed the same prayer. Women who wish to observe the two raka’ats of the Eid prayer at home could do so in congregation of other women led by one of them. It should however be noted that the female prayer leader in a congregational prayer that mainly consists of women stands in the first row, among other female worshippers, to lead them in the prayer.
The sacrifice of animals commences only after the leader of the Muslim community in which one lives or resides has slaughtered his own animal. Anyone who hastens to do that before the Muslim leader of his community slaughters his Dahiyyah is deemed to have offered no sacrifice. In the Maliki School of Islamic jurisprudence, the reward of the Dahiyyah is proportionate to the type and size of the animal offered for the sacrifice. The superiority of the slaughter animals is in the following order of priority beginning from the most preferred to the less. It begins with the un-castrated ram; then a castrated ram; then a sheep; followed by an un-castrated he-goat; then a castrated he-goat, then a she-goat; followed by a bull; then a cow; followed by a male camel; then a she-camel. However, preference is in the reverse order in the case of hadyah for Muslims who are on pilgrimage to Makkah. It is required that the sacrificial animal must be sound and healthy. It is forbidden to use a sick, emaciated, or visually impaired (partially or fully) animal for Dahiyyah. Similarly, an animal with broken horn(s), split ear(s) or other forms of disabilities should not be used for the sacrifice.
Islam recommends that we should eat and share with others from the meat of the Dahiyyah. While some scholars opine that we should share two-third of the meat to others and eat one-third, other scholars are of the view that fractional distribution in not necessary. Nonetheless, our symbolic act of sacrifice finds genuine expression in our benevolence to share the meat with others including non-Muslims. Alms (sadaqah), in Islam and according to prophetic teachings, extend to beneficiaries outside the fold of Islam. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 60:8 “Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just”. It is preferred that the owner of the animal slaughters it by himself. There is no harm if others do it on his/her behalf. However, the practice where the name of the owner of the Dahiyyah is mentioned at the time of slaughtering the animal lacks basis in Islam. It is recommended that Allah’s name is glorified after every obligatory prayer beginning from the noon (zuhr) prayer of the Eid-el-kabir day (10th Dhul-Hijjah) and terminating after the early morning (subh) prayer of the fourth day of the Eid. One of the suggested texts for the glorification is: “Allahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar; Laa ilaha illa-llah; Wallahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar; Wa lillah il-Hamd”.
Fasting on Arafat day:
Muslims are encouraged to engage in acts of devotion during the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. They are advised to observe voluntary fast and engage much in tahlil (saying of Laa ilaha illa-llah), takbir (saying of Allah Akbar) and tahmid (saying of Alhamdu lillah). The pinnacle of devotion during these ten days is the observance of voluntary fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, which is the Arafat day. Imam Muslim (RA) relates on the authority of Abu Qatadah (RA) that the Prophet SAW) said, “(While) fasting on Arafat day expiates for (sins committed in) two years: the previous and the next; fasting on Aashura expiates for the previous year”. We therefore urge Muslims to observe voluntary fast on Monday November 15, 2010 which has been declared as this year’s Arafat day. May Allah (SWT) accept our fast, our sacrifices and indeed all our other acts of devotion, amin. Happy Sallah in advance!