✿ Thamaniyah Azwaj Verse and the Proper Understanding of Sacrificial Animals ✿
What is the connection between the verse "Thamāniyata Azwāj" in Surah Al-An'am and the animals used for sacrifice?
The verse "Thamāniyata Azwāj" in Surah Al-An'am primarily relates to the clarification of permissible and impermissible animals, and was revealed in response to the misguided customs of the disbelievers of Makkah, who would arbitrarily declare certain animals as forbidden without any divine evidence.
It is incorrect to interpret this verse as being specifically about the animals of sacrifice.
There is no explicit evidence in the Qur’an that designates this verse exclusively for the context of sacrificial animals.
In modern times, some individuals attempt to invalidate the sacrifice of buffalo by citing this verse.
However, this argument is flawed and lacks any sound Shar‘i basis.
It stems from contemporary misinterpretation and speculative reasoning, which finds no support in Islamic law.
The primary purpose of the "Thamāniyata Azwāj" verse is to explain the lawful and unlawful animals,
not to specify the animals allowed for Qurbani (sacrifice).
Declaring this verse as exclusive to sacrificial animals is not aligned with the principles of Sharī‘ah,
and there is no strong evidence to support such a claim.
❖ Question:
What is the connection between the verse "Thamāniyata Azwāj" in Surah Al-An'am and the animals used for sacrifice?
❖ Answer by Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh:
✦ Context of the Verse:
The verse "Thamāniyata Azwāj" in Surah Al-An'am primarily relates to the clarification of permissible and impermissible animals, and was revealed in response to the misguided customs of the disbelievers of Makkah, who would arbitrarily declare certain animals as forbidden without any divine evidence.
✦ No Direct Connection to Sacrificial Animals:
It is incorrect to interpret this verse as being specifically about the animals of sacrifice.
There is no explicit evidence in the Qur’an that designates this verse exclusively for the context of sacrificial animals.
✦ Misconception Regarding the Sacrifice of Buffalo:
In modern times, some individuals attempt to invalidate the sacrifice of buffalo by citing this verse.
However, this argument is flawed and lacks any sound Shar‘i basis.
It stems from contemporary misinterpretation and speculative reasoning, which finds no support in Islamic law.
❖ Conclusion:
The primary purpose of the "Thamāniyata Azwāj" verse is to explain the lawful and unlawful animals,
not to specify the animals allowed for Qurbani (sacrifice).
Declaring this verse as exclusive to sacrificial animals is not aligned with the principles of Sharī‘ah,
and there is no strong evidence to support such a claim.
