I vaguely remember being told by a Muslim colleague that during one of the Eid festivals (can’t remember which one) it’s customary to actually sacrifice a goat. It’s the only time of the year that Muslims commit an actual sacrificial offering to Allah. Perhaps this would be a decent analogue? @Niblo Am I barking up the wrong tree here?
Hello Albert.
You are referring to ‘Eid al-Adha’ (the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’) that marks the end of the Hajj.
As you know, the Council of Trent declared, in its ‘Canons on the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass’:
‘If anyone says that the sacrifice of the Mass is only one of praise and thanksgiving, or that it is a mere commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the Cross, but not one of propitiation; or that it is of profit to him alone who receives; or that it ought not to be offered for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities: let him be anathema.’ (Canon 3 – Denzinger 950).
In Islam, ritual slaughter is
not an act of propitiation or of expiation. Rather, it is an act of thanksgiving for the many blessings bestowed upon us. It is a means by which we can demonstrate that we are willing to give up (to sacrifice) some of what is ours ,for the sake of satisfying the needs of others (the meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts, with a third of the share given to the poor and needy.)
The Exalted says:
‘We appointed acts of devotion for every community, for them to celebrate God’s name over the livestock He provided for them: your God is One, so devote yourselves to Him. (Prophet), give good news to the humble whose hearts fill with awe whenever God is mentioned, who endure whatever happens to them with patience, who keep up the prayer, who give to others out of Our provision to them.
‘We have made camels (or cows) part of God’s sacred rites for you. There is much good in them for you, so invoke God’s name over them as they are lined up for sacrifice, then, when they have fallen down dead, feed yourselves and those who do not ask, as well as those who do. We have subjected them to you in this way so that you may be thankful.
It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches God but your piety. He has subjected them to you in this way so that you may glorify God for having guided you.’ (‘Al-Hajj: 34-37’ – my emphasis)
A Muslim who does not wish to sacrifice an animal (I don’t, for example) may donate a cash sum; which is then used to purchase an animal for a needy family. This donation is also deemed a sacrifice.
The primary intention must always be to please the Exalted.
I hope this answers your question.
May the Almighty continue to bless you - and all those you love - and lead you to Himself.
