From all that has been presented in the body of this book, it has become entirely clear and firmly established that the uḍḥiyah (sacrifice) is a customary sunnah (sunnah ʿādah). And a customary sunnah changes with the changes in societies and is subject to specific circumstances.
It is also established that the noble Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed on behalf of his nation, thus lifting the obligation from them. It is equally established that the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the scholarly Companions, and their wealthy peers did not offer the sacrifice.
So where, then, does our insistence on sacrificing come from in light of all this?
It stems from habit, from boasting, from social competition - and it is these very motives that entangle us in problems, distortions, and ultimately lead us to blame religion for our downfall.
Even more astonishing is that we regard this as an act of devotion, when in fact, this stems from a complete ignorance of the spirit of religion - indeed, ignorance even of the texts and of the positions of the senior Companions.
So, if you, dear reader, are among the religiously committed, then know that the noble Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed on behalf of his nation, thereby absolving them of its obligation.
And if you know that Abu Bakr - renowned for his precision in following the Prophet and his deep concern for adhering to his example - did not perform the sacrifice, then realize: Had it truly been required, as we mistakenly assume today, he would have been the first to do it, and to call others to it.
And if you are someone others look up to and emulate, then refrain from sacrificing knowingly, so that people do not follow your example - just as Abu Bakr did.
And if you are wealthy, then instead of “drawing nearer” to Allah by burdening others and embarrassing them in front of their families, remember that those more knowledgeable than you in the religion, and more devoted to it, refrained from the sacrifice - even while being financially capable - in order to publicly declare its non-obligation, and to consider the feelings and circumstances of others.
It has been narrated that Abu Bakr did not sacrifice, nor did ʿUmar, Abū Hurayrah, Bilāl, and many other senior Companions.
Ibn ʿAbbās, the great scholar of the ummah, would slaughter animals often - except on the Day of Sacrifice, when he would refrain.
ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd said:
“I forgo my sacrifice, and I am among the wealthiest of you - out of fear that my neighbors may think it is obligatory.”
And if you are throwing your household finances into disarray, thinking that the Prophet commanded you to do so - then know that the Prophet forbade you from this.
In one hadith, a Companion asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the sacrifice, saying:
“But if all I have is a sheep that belongs to my household, from which they drink milk - shall I sacrifice it?” The Prophet replied: “No.”
If this is the religious position on uḍḥiyah, then why cling to it, unless we have fallen into the clutches of usury (ribā) and have been struck by the forewarning of religion’s eclipse - so that we hold tight to outward forms while abandoning the essence?
O Muslims! Know the true sunnah of the Prophet, and adhere to it.
Abandon the superficialities you currently cling to. This is the time to revive the sunnah.
The uḍḥiyah was once a transitional customary sunnah. It has now fallen away from this ummah, as demonstrated in this book.
We ask Allah to guide us to the truths of our religion - so that we may live them with awareness and thought, not mere habit. For the greatest affliction of worship is when it becomes routine.
He – exalted is He - is the most Generous of those who are asked, and the Swiftest to respond.
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The Republican Brothers
Omdurman – P.O. Box 1151
Phone: 56912