Performing Uldhiyya According to the Guidelines of Islam

2018.08.13 / 1439.12.01

Uldhiyya is an important Sunnah in Islam. Allah Swt says in the Holy Quran “So, offer Salāh (prayer) to your Lord, and sacrifice” (Surah 108 Verse 02).

This act of worship should be performed observing all guidelines prescribed in Islam, only by which the complete virtues could be attained.

Almighty Allah Swt states in the Holy Quran:

“It is neither their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah, but what does reach Him is the Taqwā (the sense of obedience) on your part. Thus He has made them (the animals) subjugated to you, so that you proclaim Allah’s glory for the guidance He gave you. And give good news to those who are good in their deeds.” (Surah 22 Verse 37)

And special attention should also be given to the Sri Lankan Legal rulings stated in ‘Animal Act No.29 of 1958’.

Islam honors all lives, prohibits causing pain and enjoins to show kindness to animals.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned a person by asking him to Fear Allah with regard to his animal to which he showed negligence in feeding.

The following guidelines should be observed when performing this act of worship:

1. The Uldhiyya could be performed from the time the Eid Salaah and both Khutbah are completed upto the time of Sun set on the 13th of Thul Hijjah.
2. It is Sunnah for the person who intends to perform Uldhiyya, to refrain from removing hair and clipping nails from the commencement of the Month of Thul Hijjah up to the performance of Uldhiyyah.
3. The animal should not be tortured at any circumstance.
4. The animal should fed sufficiently until it is slaughtered.
5. The knife to be used for the sacrifice, should be well sharpened.
6. The place allocated for the slaughter, should be clean and the waste such as blood, bones etc. should be buried in an appropriate manner.
7. The slaughtering of the animal should not be visible to the other animals.
8. The places utilized for slaughter and burial of wastage, should be sprayed with insecticide and cleanliness should be maintained.
9. As law abiding citizens of this country, all necessary documents such as animal’s ownership certificate, health certificate, and permit to transport the animal etc. should be obtained at the beginning.
10. Transporting Animals without permits and carrying animals more than the number permitted, should be refrained.
11. As we are living in a multi ethnic society, we should avoid any act that would hurt others or incite hatred among other communities.
12. Honoring the sentiments of the Buddhists, slaughtering animals on the Poya Day should be refrained, to avoid unnecessary issues.
13. Photography or videoing of the act of Uldhiyya should be avoided and especially such content should not be posted on Social Media.
14. Those who intend to perform Uldhiyyah are advised to coordinate with the local ACJU Divisional Branches, Masjids and local Federations and are encouraged to perform this Ibaadah, collectively.

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama kindly requests all Masjid Imams and Khateebs, in their lectures on virtues and importance of Uldhiyyah, to give prominence to the related rulings, guidelines and especially advice the public to perform this Ibaadah in a manner that does not hurt or arouse the feelings of other communities.

Ash Shaikh M.M.A. Mubarak
General Secretary – ACJU