Why do Muslims sacrifise an animal?

καλι Καθαρά Δευτέρα!

I’m not a Muslim - in fact I’m on Cyprus and attending the local Greek Orthodox church - but I’ve always been very interested in religion and religious traditions.

I’ve found a very informative website: http://www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/Worship/Pilgrimage/article05.shtml (with many good links).

On animal sacrifice, it stresses that the intention behind the sacrifice is important, and explains that there are basically three days for animal sacrifice: the festival of ‘Eid and the 2 days following it.

It also specifies what to do with the meat, and stresses the aspect of charity: ‘The person who is sacrificing should take one-third of the meat for his or her family, give one-third as a gift, and give one-third to the poor. ‘

I hope that helps? Best wishes to you for the Great Fast, Susila

im also an orthodox I live in uae its a arab country they celebration this time called EID this is whan they dont eat 4 a month from 5 am till 6 pm they dont eat or drink and in the end of the month they vist friends and family they give money and they sacrifice a goat its like a gift 2 god sumthing like that and then they eat it

I’m not a muslim but I read this…

“That is to say, the underlying implication of Islam’s attitude toward ritual slaughter is not that of blood atonement, or seeking favor with Allah through another’s death, but rather, the act of thanking Allah for one’s sustenance and the personal sacrifice of sharing one’s possessions and valuable food with one’s fellow humans. The ritual itself is NOT the sacrifice. It is merely a method of killing where the individuals kill as quickly as possible and acknowledge that only Allah has the right to take a life and that they do so as a humble member of Allah’s creation in need of sustenance just like every other species in Allah’s creation.”

if z man I mean abraham has sacrificed his son..y dn’t you sacrifice your son as well..if all is godcreation..we dn’t have the right to take the life of animal or people..I really dn’t believe in that and I think its all not fair…

hi , I am a muslim.. So I think I can answer that very easily.. We sacrifice an animal on Eid-ul Adha aka the feast of scarifice… it is observed after the Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Makkah- which is in Saudi Arabia) it is the second of the two major Muslim holy days. The other is Eid-ul-Fitr which follows Ramadan – a lunar month of partial fasting.

Eid-Ul-Adha is observed after the conclusion of the Hajj. The first day of this celebration is held on the 10th day of Duhl-Hijja, which is the last month of the Muslim year. In most areas, the Feast of Sacrifice is celebrated over several days. 2

SIGNIFICANCE of EID UL ADHA: Like loshmo said “Islam’s attitude toward ritual slaughter is not that of blood atonement, or seeking favor with Allah through another’s death,..” but rather.. we sacfrice to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God. However, God provided a ram in place once Ibrahim demonstrated his willingness to follow God’s commands. So we remember Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice.. and sacrifice a goat or a ram or a cow.

Anyways the animal that is sacrificed is then distributed among neighbours, family, the poor and needy.. But it is not compulsory on everyone to sacrifice an animal.. If only you can afford only then you should sacrifice.. So, this day is celebrated by muslims all over the world. We wake up early in the morning.. we wear the best clothes..n men go out and pray.. there is a special sermon delivered in the mosque. people greet each other.. It’s a joyous occasion for any muslim. We thank Allah Almighty for his blessings.. We pray for those who are no longer with us.. and the most important aspect of this eid is sharing.. One takes time out and helps the poor..One remembers his neighbours and relatives.. it brings people close together.

I hope this helps :)

p.s: its not cruel.. I mean if you eat meat.. you have to kill the animal..only then you can eat.. right? but if you’re a vegetarian then thats a different thing.. I’m sorry I don’t wanna offend or hurt anyone’s feelings.

The meat is to be distributed amongst the poor and some kept for the family themselves. Not cruel.