What is Udhiya?
'Udhiya' is an Arabic word meaning "blood sacrifice", and 'Qurbani' is an Urdu and Persian word derived from the Arabic word "Qurban" which literally means an act performed to seek Allah Ta'ala's pleasure. It is technically used for the sacrifice of an animal slaughtered for the sake of Allah Ta'ala.
The sacrifice of an animal has always been a recognised form of worship in many religions, but in the 'Shariah' (Islamic sacred law) of The Last and Final Messenger of Allah Ta'ala (Peace be upon him) the sacrifice of an animal has been recognised as a form of ibadah (worship) during the three days of the month Zul Hijjah, namely the 10th, 11th, and 12th .
This is to commemorate the unparalleled sacrifice offered by the Prophet Sayyidna Ibrahim, Alayhi Salam, when he, in pursuance to a command of Allah Ta'ala conveyed to him in a dream, prepared himself to slaughter his beloved son, Sayyidna Isma'il, Alayhi Salam, and actually intended to do so, but Allah Ta'ala the Almighty, after testing his submission, sent down a sheep and saved his son from the logical fate of slaughter. It is from that incident that the sacrifice of an animal became an obligatory duty to be performed by every Muslim who has the means to do it.
On who is it obligatory?
Qurbani is Wajib (obligatory) on every Muslim who is
Of sound mind - mature (has reached the age of puberty),
Muqeem (i.e. he is not a Shari traveller)
Possesses the amount of 612,36 grams of silver or wealth equivalent to that value which is in excess of one's basic needs and debts on any of the three days of Qurbani. It is not necessary that this amount be in one's possession for a complete lunar year. (please do consult your local Islamic Scholars for more details and exact value in your local currency)
What the Quran and Hadith says:
Allah Ta'ala Ta'ala, The Most Wise says:
" It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allâh, it is your piety that reaches Him. Indeed He has subjected them (animals) to you so that you may glorify Allah for guiding you, and give glad tidings to those who excel in good. " (Quran-22:37)
The Noble Messenger of Allah Ta'ala(Peace be upon him) is reported to have said: There is nothing dearer to Allah Ta'ala during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood falls on the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart .(Tirmizi, Ibn Majah)
Zayd lbn Arqam Radhiyallaahu Anhu relates that the Companions Radhiyallaahu Anhum queried, "O Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, What is Qurbani?" He replied, " It is the Sunnah of your father lbraheem Alayhis Salaam ." They again asked, "What benefit do we derive from it?" He answered, " A reward for every hair (of the sacrificed animal). " "And (what reward is there for animals with) wool, O' Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)?" they asked. "A reward", he said, " for every fibre of the wool. " (Ibne Majah)
When a person slaughters a Qurbani animal, he is forgiven at the fall of the first drop of blood, and verily, the animal shall be brought forward on the Day of Judgment with its blood, meat, limbs, etc. and shall be increased in weight seventy times, and then placed on the scale of deeds . (Kanzul Ummal)
" Whoever has the capacity to sacrifice and does not do so, should not come to the place where the Eid prayer is offered. " (Hadith-Ibn Majah).
Therefore if you have the means to do Qurbani, do not ignore this important part of Deen. There are many more details that relate to Qurbani which we have not covered in this brief article.
For a detailed article on the Laws & Virtues of Udhiya (Qurbani) please visit:http://eislaminfo.blogspot.com/2010/10/qurbaniudhiyya.html