It is ironic that one of the most fundamental concepts in Islam, Qurbani (animal sacrifice) has been commercialized in Pakistan.

Qurbani is one of the most essential elements of Islam, the world’s second-largest religion in terms of its followers. Each year in the month of Zil-Haj, Muslims around the world purchase a Sacrificial Animal to slaughter in the commemoration of a Biblical event related to Abraham and his son. Both Biblical prophets are equally revered in Islam.

The tradition goes that God asked Abraham to sacrifice one of his most precious belongings. When Abraham told his son, Ishmael, what had transpired between God and his prophet, the obedient son presented himself eagerly for this cause.

As the father began to run the knife across the son’s throat, then God sent a goat in the son’s stead that received the trembling, though fatal, blow of the knife.

God was testing his prophets, in which both, the father and son, had passed.

Islam, Qurbani, and Pakistan

When Islam came some 1500 years ago, this Abraham tradition was adopted as one of the fundamental elements of this new creed.

Today, every Muslim who is well-to-do is required to follow this custom each year.

In Pakistan, Baqra Eid or Eid al-Adha is celebrated with more enthusiasm than probably most other Muslim countries in the world.

However, the Abrahamic tradition has gradually lost its essence and purpose in Pakistan. The spirit of sacrifice has reduced to a platform of pomp and show.

Unfortunately, Qurbani has become a status symbol in Pakistan and who do it are considered affluent, while managing not to do so seems to expose the social condition of those who cannot buy a sacrificial animal.

What is the Essence of Qurbani?

The tradition of the sacrifice that had been originally meant to be sacred had reduced to a status symbol. The essence of Qurbani was to sacrifice an animal and to divide it into three equal sizes; one part is meant for the poor, the second for the relatives, while the third is for yourself.

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But what usually happens in Pakistan that people tend to keep the lion’s share of their sacrificial animal, including the most coveted parts. After burying most of the part of the slaughtered animal inside of their deep freezers, the next turn comes for the relatives. Here, also those relatives are prioritized who are either close, and those who are likely to send the meat back to the sender. Then comes the third part that is meant for the poor.

Have we commercialized Qurbani?

In a country where most people are living below the poverty line, this religious custom makes more sense. However, the spirit of Qurbani should not be lost in the manifestation of individual glories.

In many instances, people have observed carrying out this custom despite having no affordability. Still, they have to do so as they had been doing sacrifice during the past years when they were economically more sound than today. Yet, as the people still expect from them the same standards, so these people are forced to practice this Abrahamic faith, not solely for the divine cause, but due to social pressures.

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