Hyderabad, Sep 18
With the ban on beef in some
states and the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha triggering a fierce debate on cow
slaughter across the country, a group of Islamic scholars in southern
India has appealed to Muslims to avoid sacrificing cows, bulls and
bullocks in the community's larger interest.
The scholars have
advised Muslims to show pragmatism in the prevailing situation and
instead opt for alternate animals permitted by the Sharia to ensure that
peace is maintained and there are no impediments in their larger duty
of "dawat-e-deen" of introducing Islam to non-Muslims.
Backed by
all schools of thought, the group has taken up the campaign through
social media, meetings, pamphlets and Friday sermons in mosques in
different states of southern India.
"Our message is that Muslims
should not take law in their hands but desist from sacrificing cow,
bulls and bullocks for maintaining peace. This will also help in
introducing Islam to others," Syed Hussain Madani, an Islamic scholar
heading the campaign, told IANS.
The scholar has suggested that
the community should avoid sacrificing cows to protect life and
property. People trading in cows, bulls and bullocks have been suffering
loss of life and property and sometimes ending up harming others.
Madani quoted 'Hadith', or the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, that "There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm."
Noting
that the Prophet sacrificed two sheep on Eid-ul-Azha, he said: "Since
the Prophet Muhammad is the best model for us, we should follow him.
Sacrificing cow is allowed but it is not ‘afzal’ (preferable)," he said.
Every
year, hundreds of bulls and bullocks are brought to the city for
sacrifice on Eid day. Such animals are in huge demand because seven
people can have share in each. At Rs.2,500 to Rs.2,800 each share, this
works out more economical than Rs.6,000 to Rs.7,000 for a goat or sheep.
The
scholars pointed out that sacrificing per se is not "farz" (obligation)
but "sunnat" (practice of the Prophet). "Allah doesn't burden more than
one can bear. There is ample room to avoid this (sacrifice of cow) in
the prevailing situation when there are legal restrictions and communal
disharmony over the issue," said Madani.
As many families take a
share in such animals to distribute meat among the poor, Madani said
that the poor may be helped in many other ways.
The ulema, while
noting that slaughter of cow, bulls and bullocks are linked to the
livelihood of a group, argue that the interest of the entire community
should get priority.
"Prevention of means of 'fasad' (mischief) is better than the benefits we may get from certain things," said Madani.
The
scholars are also of the opinion that the misconceptions about cow
slaughter and the misinformation spread by some elements affects
"Dawate-e-deen" and since this is an obligatory duty of every Muslim, it
should get priority over sacrificing cow, bulls or bullocks.
"Some
miscreants themselves sell cows and strengthen their economy but take
legal action against those who buy cows and sometimes even kill the
buyers. Desisting from the sacrifice of such animals will deny them an
opportunity to indulge in mischief," added Madani.
Well-known
personalities like Mohammed Abdul Raheem Qureshi, president of the
Majlis-e-Tameer-e-Millat and assistant secretary of the All India Muslim
Personal Law Board, Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Moulana Aneesur
Rehman Azmi of Chennai, Moulana Mufti Nassem Ahmed Ashrafi, and Moulana
Mufti Mahboob Shareef Nizami are backing the initiative.
The
appeal also has the backing of Muslim political leaders and legal
experts. It also made reference to a suggestion by some political
leaders that giving up eating of beef for a couple of years will show
its impact on the economy and those opposing it will be forced to amend
the legislation.
(Mohammed Shafeeq can be contacted at [email protected])
