Hajj, Arafah, sacrifice

[Saleema Naz]

AsSalamAlaekum Muslim Villa friends.  Tomorrow is day of Arafah, DhulHija 9 and day after is day of sacrifice DhulHija 10.  Do we need to fast on Arafah, tomorrow?   Is it necessary for those not going for Hajj to give sacrifice?  A sister was saying that Quran says even if you don't go for Hajj you must gibe sacrifice. Please give details as soon as possible.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Walaikum as Salam sister Saleema Naz.  Yes day of Arafah is tomorrow and day of sacrifice day after tomorrow, InshAllah.  It's not obligatory (fard) to fast tomorrow but if you wish to fast that's fine.  It's entirely up to you.  People who are not on Hajj may desire to fast on the day of Arafah to comfort their own hearts feeling closer to Allah.  After all, Ibadah is never wasted, Alhumdulilah.   We have had this discussion before quite a few times.  If you like to know more details, just type the word "Arafah" in the search box located at the top right corner of our MV homepage, and you will get a number of MV discussions on day of Arafah and fasting on this day.

As for giving sacrifice, the Quran does not say it's necessary for those not performing Hajj, but again, it's up to every individual.  If they wish that's very good.  After all, sacrifice too is a form of charity for the good pleasure of Allah and it can never be wasted.

The reason some people assume sacrifice is also mandatory for those not performing Hajj is apparently because of their misunderstanding of Verse 2:196 Surah Al Baqrah, quote:

"Complete the pilgrimages, major and minor, for the sake of Allah. If you are prevented [from doing so], then [send] whatever offering for sacrifice you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the offering has reached the place of sacrifice. If any of you is ill, or has an ailment of the scalp, he should compensate by fasting, or feeding the poor, or offering sacrifice. When you are in safety, anyone wishing to take a break between the minor pilgrimage and the major one must make whatever offering he can afford. If he lacks the means, he should fast for three days during the pilgrimage, and seven days on his return, making ten days in all. This applies to those whose household is not near the Sacred Mosque. Always be mindful of Allah, and be aware that He is stern in His retribution"  2:196  Al Baqrah.

The words "If you are prevented [from doing so], then [send] whatever offering for sacrifice you can afford,.."  Here Allah does not refer to those who haven't made a niyyah to perform Hajj and are therefore not performing Hajj.  Allah is referring to those people who have made a niyyah for Hajj and have set out to perform Hajj but are prevented because of some untoward reason and thus couldn't reach the Kaa'ba. This was very likely to happen during the Prophet's (pbuh) time in Medinah when Makkah was under control of the idolaters who perpetually prevented Muslims from Medinah to visit the premises of the Kaa'ba as happened during the 6th year of the Hijrah resulting in the Treaty of Hudaybiyah.  But if someone is not performing Hajj, then there is no evidence in the Quran that sacrifice is obligatory for them the same way as for those who have set out for Hajj. 

According to A.A. Maududi's commentary (tafseer) of this Verse 2:196

Quote:
"That is, in case you are prevented in the way from proceeding on to the Ka`bah and are obliged to break your journey, you should make offering of whatever animal is available camel, cow, goat to Allah.
There is a difference of opinion as to what is meant here by "the sacrifice reaching its place" . According to the Hanafi school of thought, it refers to the bounds of the Masjid Haram. If a person is prevented on the way, he should send the animal or the money to buy one to be sacrificed there on his behalf: According to Imam Malik and Imam Shafe'i, the sacrifice should be made at the very place where one has been prevented. One should not, have one's head shaved or the hair cut until one has offered the animal sacrifice."
Unquote:

And Allah knows best.

Hope this helps.

[Saleema Naz]

JazekAllah khair sister, very helpfully explained, simple and straight. Many Muslims say qurbani is compulsory on every sane adult Muslim male and female who has enough wealth. Their logic is anyone who pays zakah should automatically also be obliged to give qurbani in accordance to Hanafi madhab.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

That logic sounds discrepant.  I cannot agree with it.  If a person has enough wealth then of course they can offer sacrifice though according to the Quran I certainly don't see it as obligatory if they are not performing Hajj.  In other cases where people are financially in more straitened circumstances, they pay zakah as much as they can afford.  That does not necessarily imply they can also afford to offer Hady as sacrificing an animal is a lot more costly form of charity unless you can share it with several other people. It also involves preparations and arrangements and many secluded families may not have the resources to assist them with these arrengements.

[Saleema Naz]

Yes, again your rational perception makes sense.

[Hafez]

Good elucidation sister heba.  Most charities presume everyone can afford and often apply pressure on this point on those who are not performing Hajj must also give qurbani. Honest charities distribute meat to the needy.  But there are dishonest ones too and one has to be careful.  It poses another hurdle.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

That too is a point to remember.

[Saleema Naz]

Sister, one more question.  Is it true that the Quran actually allows us to perform Hajj on 4 months of every year, not only on DhulHija?  Can I get a nice tafsir on that?

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Yes certainly, Alhumdulilah, we have a very nice and comprehensive tafseer on that.  It is true the Noble Quran allows Hajj on 4 months of the year - Rajab, Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Ḥijjah and Muḥarram.  These 4 months though not mentioned in the Quran are simply referred to as four sacred months. The idea acquired by medieval jurists of Hajj during first 10 days of Dhul Hijja comes from the misinterpretation of Verses 89:1-4 of Surah Al-Fajr.   To read our tafseer (commentaries) on Hajj during 4 months of the year, and the four sacred months and their origin, kindly take the time to study the following posts:

-  The 4 months of Hajj and explanation of Surah Al-Fajr "And ten nights, .."
-  Origin of the word "Ramadan" and the 4 sacred months.

[Saleema Naz]

Much thanks sister Heba, I welcome these links.  JazekAllah

[Khurram hater of liars]

Thank you from me too for those 2 links.  I am sure I will benefit as these are useful topics clarifying distortions through misunderstandings, misinterprettions and phony ahadith.  Qur'an does state Hajj on 4 months, that is, 120 days.  Yet jurists have shrunk that to 10 days.  No wonder the difficulties and overcrowding during Hajj.  Whatever Allah plans is perfect.  Whenever human beings interfere and make changes, that is when problems start.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

You're welcome brother.   I totally agree with your viewpoint.  InshAllah I hope those links benefit you.