FAQ - Ritual Sacrifice

1.	What is the difference between Korban and aqiqah?
	Korban has to be done on Eid-ul-Adha or during the 3 days after it. Its main purpose is to make oneself closer to Allah by giving the sacrificial meat to the poor and needy as well as to family, relatives and friends. The Prophet s.a.w said: “None of you should offer sacrifice of animals until he has completed the (Eid) prayer”. Aqiqah, on the other hand, is for a newborn baby and it can be done at anytime before the child reaches puberty. The Prophet s.a.w said: “A boy is in pledge for his Aqiqah, sacrifice is made for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved and he is given name.” Both are sunnah.
2.	Is aqiqah done for babies only?
	Aqiqah can be done for one’s child at any time as long as the child has not reached puberty. If the child has reached puberty, it is best that korban be performed instead of aqiqah.
4.	What is the preferred time for performing aqiqah, the shaving of the newborn baby’s hair and circumcision?
	It is recommended that aqiqah and the shaving of the newborn baby’s hair be performed on the seventh day after the baby’s birth. However, in the Singapore context, it is difficult for one to perform aqiqah on the seventh day after the baby’s birth. Hence, the shaving of the newborn baby’s hair can be done on the seventh day and the aqiqah can be done when the opportunity arises such as during Eid-ul-Adha. It can be done until the child reaches puberty. As for circumcision, it is best it be performed when the child is still young so as to lessen the pain that he may go through. It is, however, still allowable to delay it.
5.	Can aqiqah be delayed if the parents cannot afford to perform it?
	It is recommended to perform aqiqah on the seventh day after the birth of the baby. However, if the parents are unable to perform it at that time, it may be delayed until they are able to do so. Aqiqah can be performed until a child reaches puberty.
6.	How many sheep is to be sacrificed for the aqiqah of a boy?
	It is recommended that 2 sheep be sacrificed for the aqiqah of a boy. However, if one cannot afford it, then one sheep is acceptable. Rasulullah s.a.w said: “Two sheep which resemble each other (in age) are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl.”
7.	Can aqiqah be performed by other than the child's natural
	Aqiqah for a child can be performed by a person other than the parents such as an aunt or an uncle. It is recommended that it be performed on the seventh day after the child’s birth.
8.	Can one perform aqiqah for an adopted child?
	Aqiqah can be performed for one's natural child as well as adopted child. It is recommended that to be performed on the seventh day after the baby’s birth.
10.	How many sheep can a cow replace in aqiqah?
	A cow can be sacrificed in the name of 7 individuals, whether male or female. It is recommended to not break the sacrificed animal’s bones. Its meat must be divided into 3 portions. One portion is for the poor and needy, the other to family, relatives and friends and the last portion for oneself.
12.	Is it permissible to perform aqiqah overseas since Singapore only has sacrificial services during Eid-ul-Adha?
	Aqiqah can be performed anytime and anywhere, whether overseas or locally, whether it is witnessed by the one performing it or not, with the condition that there is the intention of aqiqah when the sheep is bought and when it is being sacrificed.
14.	Can we perform korban or aqiqah for a person who has passed away?
	Korban and aqiqah can only be performed for Muslims who are still alive. For Muslims who have passed away, one cannot perform any korban for them. One can instead pray for them, recite Al-Quran for them, or give sedekah on their names.
15.	What is the method to do qurban for family members who are still alive?
	The method to do qurban for other people who are still alive, is to give them the money to purchase the qurban sheep, or to buy the qurban sheep for them. However, their permission should be sought first. When the time of qurban has come, the slaughterer will mention the name of those people.
16.	Should one pay off all of one's outstanding debts before performing the Ritual Sacrifice?
	If the debt has a pre-determined duration of payment and one is confident and sure that it will be paid off in time and accordingly, it is therefore permissible for one to perform the Ritual Sacrifice or the Qurban. It is imperative that one acknowledges the fact that performing qurban is recommended (sunnah) and not compulsory (wajib). Hence, if by performing qurban, it may cause hardship on the person performing it, it is then perfectly alright for one not to do so.
17.	Who should the sacrificial meat be given to?
	Sacrificial meat should be divided into 3 portion and given to: 1) 1/3 to the poor and needy. 2) 1/3 to family, relatives and friends, even if they do not wish to receive it. 3) 1/3 to oneself, this portion may be eaten and may also be given to non-muslims. However, if the korban is performed with the intention of nazar, the one performing the korban is not allowed to consume the meat.
19.	Can sacrificial meat be given to
	The ritual sacrifice is meant to bring oneself closer to the Creator. Some scholars are of the view that the distribution of the meat is specifically for Muslims only, in order to preserve the sanctity of the ritual. However, there is no prohibition from giving one’s portion of the meat to friends and neighbors who are non-Muslims. In fact, in the context of a multi-religious society like Singapore , it is only relevant that we share with them.
20.	How to explain the annual sacrifice to those who say it is cruelty towards animals? If the intention is to help the poor and needy by giving them the meat, aren't there other options?
	The annual sacrifice on Hari Raya Haji is called 'Qurban'. 'Qurban' literally means 'to be closer', that is, to be closer to God by abiding to His wish that we should strengthen our relationship among each other through sharing of meat from the sacrificed animal, and other good deeds. This may not go down well with vegetarians, animal lovers and animal rights groups who are opposed to any killing of or cruelty toward animals. But, as much as we respect and understand their position and concern, we seek their respect and understanding on the needs, practices and wishes of the majority of their omnivores brothers and sisters. Islam appreciates the fact that human beings are naturally omnivores. Our teeth consist of both the herbivores (molars) and carnivores (canine) type. Thus, Islam allows its followers to eat from both the animal and vegetable kingdom, albeit with rules and conditions. And foremost among them is to avoid cruelty to animals. In fact, Islam prohibits cruelty not only to humans and animals, it also prohibits cruelty to plants and even our planet Earth. But let us just concentrate on the prohibition of cruelty to animals. The fact that Islam allows its followers to consume animals, does not mean that Muslims can eat whatever they want and how much they want from the animal kingdom. Islam has stated clearly which animals can be eaten (Halal animals), and which animals cannot be eaten (non-Halal animals). Only herbivores are Halal. Even so, Islam discourages its followers from eating exotic herbivores, since the function of eating is to survive, and not the other way round. The domesticated cows, sheeps, chickens are more than sufficient for survival without resorting to killing other types of herbivores such as Zebras and Giraffes. Islam totally prohibits wanton killing of animals, of any types, be it herbivores, carnivores, marine animals, birds and even insects. Animals should only be killed only on two occasions: First: when they harm human. On occasions when a human life is being threatened by an animal, it is the human's life that should be preserved. And if that preservation of human life entails killing the animal, then it is unavoidable. Second: when there is a need to consume the animal's flesh. In this case, Islam has prescribed a most merciful method of terminating the animal's life. The Prophet once said: "Allah has ordained that everything should be done with compassion. If you are killing someone (in a just war, or as a death penalty) then kill him with compassion. And if you are slaughtering an animal, slaughter it with compassion. You must sharpen your knife, and you must give sufficient rest to the animal." In fact, it is customary for Muslims to sharpen their knives before each slaughter. A very sharp knife will ensure a clean and fast cut across the oesaphagus and tranchea. This will cause the animal to die very quickly, and avoid prolong pain due to inefficient cutting from a blunt knife. The animal to be slaughtered should be well shielded from the place of slaughter to spare it from unneccessary stress. In fact, the sharpening of the knife should not be done in the presence of the animal. The Islamic method of slaughtering dictates that both the animal's oesaphagus and tranchea be cut, but not beheaded. Cutting both of the tracts will ensure that the carotid artery and jugular vein will be severed. This will result in sudden loss of copious amount of blood from the brain and the heart. The sudden loss of blood from the brain will cause it to shut down almost immediately, ensuring faster and almost painless death. In fact, according to an experiment done at Hanover University, Germany, it was found out that the Islamic method of slaughtering will ensure the animal's death in just six seconds after the initial cut. We agree with you that there are many alternatives to help the poor and needy. By giving alms for example. Or we can feed them. And since the majority of them are not vegetarians, giving them meat is something they look forward to. The poor and needy can afford to buy and eat vegetables everyday since they are relatively very cheap. But meat, most of the time, is beyond their purchasing power. The cruelty towards animals done by so many ignorant people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, should not cloud the objectiveness of Qurban, and the merciful method laid by Islam in dealing with animals.
21.	Why do we celebrate Hari Raya Haji?
	Islam had defined two religious celebrations for Muslims: Eid Fitri (Hari Raya Puasa) & Eid Adha (Hari Raya Haji). Hari Raya Haji celebrates the commemoration of the event that occured between Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail with regards to the test that Allah gave them. “Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

Source : http://muis.gov.sg/eservices/faqs/muis_faqmain.asp?strItemChoice=2005329125753&strSubItemChoice=2005329125811&action=SHOWTOPICS&m_strTopicSysID=200732716341