MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – The Religious Study Session organized for the employees of Muhammadiyah Central Board took place warmly and solemnly on Wednesday (6/5). The session featured Ustaz Qaem Aulassyahied. He discussed the fiqh of sacrificial animals’ criteria based on the fatwas and decisions of the Religious Opinion and Reform Council of Muhammadiyah Central Board.
In fiqh (jurisprudence) terminology, qurban refers to the slaughtering of specific animals with the intention of drawing closer to Allah SWT at a prescribed time. The word qurban itself derives from the word qaruba, meaning “to be near” or “to draw near.”
Therefore, the ritual sacrifice (qurban) is categorized as ibadah mahdhah. It means, qurban is a form of pure ritual worship whose implementation must strictly follow the guidance of the Qur’an and Hadith.
“So if it is performed outside the prescribed time, then it cannot be called qurban worship,” he stated. “Likewise, the animal must comply with the requirements established by the sharia.” Qaem delivered the statement during the event held at the Hall of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Office, KH Ahmad Dahlan street.
So, What Kinds of Animals are Prescribed?
Qarm explained that, in principle, the animals must fall under the category of bahimatul an’am, as mentioned in QS. Al-Hajj verse 34. In other words, they must belong to the class of livestock that are lawful and permitted in Islamic law to be slaughtered as sacrificial animals. These include cattle, buffalo, camels, goats, and sheep.
Qaem further elaborated on the criteria for sacrificial animals. Based on the guidance found in the Prophet’s hadiths, he explained that there are three categories of animals considered proper and worthy for sacrifice.
“Animals that are proper and suitable for qurban are must fulfill three criteria. First, the sacrificed animals must have complete sets of horn (Al-Aqran). Second, the animals must be fat and fleshy (Samin). Third, the animals’ white coloration must be more dominant than their black coloration (Al-Amlah),” Qaem explained.
Moreover, Qaem also described the characteristics of animals that are not suitable for sacrifice:
1) Al-’Auraa, an animal blind in one eye;
2) Al-Mardhoh, an animal that is clearly ill;
3) Al-’Arja, a lame animal; and
4) Al-Kasir, an animal that is emaciated, weak, and dirty.
Lastly, regarding age requirements, he explained that sacrificial animals must meet the following minimum ages. Camels must be at least five years old. Cattle must be at least two years old. Goats, moreover, must be at least one year old.
Regarding gender, both male and female animals are permissible for qurban, since there is no textual evidence specifying one over the other. (Bhisma)
