By Bina Ahmad and Farah Akbar
The first encounter that many Muslims across the world have with animals often comes from the celebrations of a joyous religious holiday – Eid-ul-Azha. In many Muslim countries, families purchase a goat, cow or other domesticated animal from an animal market weeks before the holiday. In some cultures, family members affectionately decorate the animal with flower necklaces, paint and colorful beads. Children often become attached to the creature stemming from the natural affinity that kids have for animals. However, when the day of Eid-ul-Azha comes, it can be a traumatic and heartbreaking experience for a child – the pet that they had lovingly bonded with is slaughtered with a sharp knife while it is fully conscious and in many cases, the slaughtering takes place on the actual grounds of the family’s home. The meat of the animal is then typically distributed three ways: one-third for oneself, one-third for friends and family and one-third for the poor.
For three days, Muslims slaughter animals in commemoration of the prophet Abraham’s (peace be upon him) willingness to sacrifice his own son for the sake of God. As Abraham was about to slay his son Ishmael (peace be upon him) which he believed came as a direct order from God, a sheep appeared before him in place of his son.
Muslims have a duty both religiously and culturally to evolve with scientific and moral progress. The meaning behind Eid-ul-Azha will always stand, but in today’s world, we must look at things practically. We must take into consideration the undeniable cruelty involved in killing millions of God’s creations, how environmentally damaging it is to raise animals for food, how unhealthy meat is for human consumption, and the lack of an actual requirement in Islam to eat meat. Muslims, especially those of us that live in the Western world, have a duty to end the animal sacrifice of Eid-ul-Azha and replace our good intentions in other ways.
http://goatmilkblog.com/
Why only target Muslims? Are they the only ones that eat meat? What about other cultures that sacrifice animals, along with human beings, for their gods? It's surprising Ms. Akbar & Ms. Ahmad that you as Muslims are writing this on an occasion like Eid al-Adha along with living in this part of the world where more than half the population is non-vegetarian with a McDonald's, Burger King or Wendy's at practically every corner. I think you ladies really need to redefine what being a Muslim means, especially for yourselves, before calling yourself one.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for reading the essay and for giving me your honest feedback. The article was written during this time to coincide with Eid. It was not our intention to single out Muslims - we are actually against all traditions and holidays that involve the unnecessary killing of animals. This includes Thanksgiving too.
ReplyDeleteI think that as Muslims, it it our duty to speak out against practices that contribute to damaging the environment, harm human health (think of the Bangladesh/Eid hospital admittances article I linked to the article) and unimaginable levels of cruelty towards animals. I believe that Islam allows a respectful discourse on issues related to the faith and that there is no harm in having a discussion.
Hello Farah,
ReplyDeleteI do not at all agree with your article. As a blogger on Islamic issues amongst others, you are undoubtedly aware that sacrificing and sharing the meat of an animal is an integral part of Islamic practice. Let us not tinge that with criticisms of moral backwardness.
As a Muslim, I too am deeply concerned about the humane treatment of animals, especially livestock that is raised for consumption. It sickens me what corporate farms feed and inject animals with, and the conditions that they grow them in. I am also VERY concerned about the fact that we eat TOO much meat in North America and Europe.
However, it doesn't mean I give up eating meat - I make informed decisions and buy from local farms where I KNOW the meat is produced in a clean, humane and chemical-free environment. And I eat very moderate amounts.
What you have alluded to is the over-consumption of meat by CERTAIN individuals. In Bangladesh, and in Somalia, Niger, Malawi, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bosnia, Haiti, the Philippines and Turkey, amongst many other places - the Eid Ul Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) meat is distributed among people WHO ARE UNFORTUNATE to the extent that eating meat is just impossible throughout the year. It comes as a welcome surprise at Eid time. It is good nourishment for them.
As far as scientific evidence goes, there is plenty to support the fact that the balanced consumption of [permissible] meat is essential for the body. Obviously God, in the Quran, and in His Infinite wisdom, has prohibited Pork for a reason. Today, science proves this fact, and other religions admit it [YouTube the term: Joel Osteen Pork]
There are many people in the world, who need to eat A LOT more vegetarian food than they do meat. But we cannot remove meat from our diet.
We cannot make impermissible what God/Allah has made permissible, and in fact commanded us to do on Eid ul-Adha, if we have the means.
I can also guarantee you that believing Muslims, till the end of time, will continue to perform this important ritual. I can also guarantee you, that if we were truly to follow God's ideals (cleanliness, moderation, etc.) the world's population could be 25 Billion and we'd have enough for everyone.
Peace and love.
Salaams,
ReplyDeleteThis is really one of the most ignorant and unsupported blogs on an issue relating to Islam that I have read in a very long time. Its pretty shameful. Humans are not the only species on the planet that consume meat.And, so now would you be so arrogant to state that you have some better kind of way in which humans should show their gratitude towards Allah than the way that Allah told us to show our gratitude in worship and sacrifice on the eid?
Our duty is to obey Allah. I trust his guidance and the moral and religious traditions carried on from Abraham, to the rest of the prophets, including Muhammad and up to now, than your unsupported and whimsical advisings. Please be more thoughtful, humble, and careful when you speak on Islamic rituals.
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ReplyDeleteSalam Jermaine,
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading the article and for giving your feedback.
While you say that you do not agree with the blog post at all, I do think that we see eye to eye on a couple issues for sure, namely when you say that you are concerned about the ways animals are treated on farms and that you think people eat way too much meat. Please tell me how animals, which are transported mostly from New Zealand and Australia in filthy, crowded conditions en route to the Middle East does not disturb you as much as the American factory farming industry does.
There is no denying that meat provides good nourishment. However, we are calling for bigger changes to help the poor versus just giving them one meal. If the money that was spent on purchasing animals was pooled and used to help the poor in other ways such as building a school or a hospital, that would benefit the poor and needy much more and would certainly be keeping in the spirit of Islam.
There are Muslims today who are speaking out against this practice and who have stopped sacrificing animals and have opted to give charitable contributions instead.
Be well, and thanks agains for your thoughts.