By Abu Abdullah Sarim (Hafidhahullah)
Idol worship in Makkah often involved honoring saints, a practice condemned by Islam. Unfortunately, similar acts have resurfaced among some Muslims, who dedicate animals to saints under the guise of veneration. This practice mirrors the idol worship of Makkah, where animals were dedicated to religious figures.
Dedicating animals to anyone other than Allah is shirk (polytheism) and is prohibited in Islam. Offering such animals as sacrifices is haram, regardless of invoking Allah’s name at the time of slaughter. The Quran emphasizes that all acts of worship, including sacrifice, must be for Allah alone:
"My prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He has no partner."
[Al-An'am 6:162-163]
[Sahih Muslim 1978]
Muslims must reject such innovations and return to the pure teachings of Islam, where all acts of worship are directed solely to Allah. May Allah guide us all to true monotheism. Ameen!
Idol worship in Makkah often involved honoring saints, a practice condemned by Islam. Unfortunately, similar acts have resurfaced among some Muslims, who dedicate animals to saints under the guise of veneration. This practice mirrors the idol worship of Makkah, where animals were dedicated to religious figures.
Dedicating animals to anyone other than Allah is shirk (polytheism) and is prohibited in Islam. Offering such animals as sacrifices is haram, regardless of invoking Allah’s name at the time of slaughter. The Quran emphasizes that all acts of worship, including sacrifice, must be for Allah alone:
"My prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He has no partner."
[Al-An'am 6:162-163]
Key Points:
- Slaughtering animals for saints is a form of shirk and kufr (disbelief).
- Even if Allah’s name is invoked during slaughter, animals dedicated to saints remain haram.
- This practice, adopted from idol worship, contradicts pure monotheism.
[Sahih Muslim 1978]
Muslims must reject such innovations and return to the pure teachings of Islam, where all acts of worship are directed solely to Allah. May Allah guide us all to true monotheism. Ameen!