Q: I wanted to find out with regards to the size and type of animal for qurbaani. Every year in our house we slaughter lambs (good quality, lovely animals) however in the recent years some family members have been saying that we should get exotic animals, most of these are just for the looks and alot of the time the meat is of an inferior quality.
I wanted to know is there any extra thawaab with regards to slaughtering a bigger/stronger/exotic animal in the eyes of Allah Ta'ala.
A: The Hadith encourages slaughtering a healthy animal whose meat is good. If the animal is healthy but the meat is not good, though one will receive reward, but one of the main objectives and purposes of qurbaani will not be achieved i.e. to enjoy the meat and feed it to others. Therefore, if you are able to slaughter a one year old sheep or lambs that are six months and over but resemble a one year old sheep which is healthy and whose meat is good, it will be better than slaughtering a big animal whose meat is inferior.
The occasion of Qurbaani is an occasion of slaughtering animals to please Allah Ta'ala. Hence, the spirit of Qurbaani is that one executes the command of Allah Ta'ala in a manner that is most pleasing to him with humility, ikhlaas (sincerity) and taqwa (piety of the heart). Allah Ta'ala says in the Quraan Majeed, "It is neither the meat nor the blood (of the animal) that reaches Allah Ta'ala, instead it is the piety of your heart (sincerity and devotion) that reaches him (Surah Hajj: 37)."
Doing Qurbaani for show or for boasting among people regarding the size of the animal or taking pictures of the animal or videoing the process of slaughter and sharing it on social media destroys the spirit, essence and reward of the Qurbaani, apart from causing one to become sinful in the court of Allah Ta'ala.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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