Reward of Sacrifice, Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and the Status of Weak Hadiths
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil: Qurbānī aur ʿAqīqah ke Masāʾil, Volume 1, Page 432
You have written that “All the narrations regarding the virtues of sacrifice are weak.”
This is correct, but the question is:
➊ The act of slaughtering during the days of sacrifice
➋ The fact that the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed sacrifice every year
In what category do these acts fall? And what is their reward and merit?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Your question is indeed valid, and the important point to ponder is: Does the weakness of the narrations concerning the virtues of sacrifice mean that the act of sacrifice itself becomes void of reward?
◈ It is correct that all narrations regarding the specific virtues of sacrifice are weak.
◈ However, this by no means implies that sacrifice is without benefit or reward.
◈ The reward of sacrifice is an established and well-researched fact, leaving no room for doubt.
The ḥadīth states:
«اَلْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشَرَةِ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلٰی سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ»
(Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, Volume 2, pp. 263-264, Para 8)
Translation:
“A good deed is rewarded tenfold up to seven hundred times.”
Therefore, even though sacrifice is not firmly established through strong narrations of its specific virtues, it is undeniably an act of righteousness and worship. Hence, the promise of reward from Allah ﷻ is certain.
◈ The narrations mentioned in relation to the virtues of sacrifice are weak; hence, their specific virtues cannot be conclusively attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ However, this does not diminish the importance of the act itself, its reward, or its status as a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ Sacrifice is a legislated act, and the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed it every year.
◈ Sacrifice is an act of worship upon which reward is expected just like other good deeds—rather, even greater reward is hoped for—based on general principles from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
◈ If detailed virtues are reported through weak narrations, they may be considered within that limited scope, but the act itself is not to be rejected.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil: Qurbānī aur ʿAqīqah ke Masāʾil, Volume 1, Page 432
❖ Question
You have written that “All the narrations regarding the virtues of sacrifice are weak.”
This is correct, but the question is:
➊ The act of slaughtering during the days of sacrifice
➋ The fact that the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed sacrifice every year
In what category do these acts fall? And what is their reward and merit?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Your question is indeed valid, and the important point to ponder is: Does the weakness of the narrations concerning the virtues of sacrifice mean that the act of sacrifice itself becomes void of reward?
✿ Reward of Sacrifice
◈ It is correct that all narrations regarding the specific virtues of sacrifice are weak.
◈ However, this by no means implies that sacrifice is without benefit or reward.
◈ The reward of sacrifice is an established and well-researched fact, leaving no room for doubt.
✿ General Principle Regarding Good Deeds
The ḥadīth states:
«اَلْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشَرَةِ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلٰی سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ»
(Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, Volume 2, pp. 263-264, Para 8)
Translation:
“A good deed is rewarded tenfold up to seven hundred times.”
Therefore, even though sacrifice is not firmly established through strong narrations of its specific virtues, it is undeniably an act of righteousness and worship. Hence, the promise of reward from Allah ﷻ is certain.
✿ Status of Weak Hadiths
◈ The narrations mentioned in relation to the virtues of sacrifice are weak; hence, their specific virtues cannot be conclusively attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ However, this does not diminish the importance of the act itself, its reward, or its status as a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
✿ Conclusion
◈ Sacrifice is a legislated act, and the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed it every year.
◈ Sacrifice is an act of worship upon which reward is expected just like other good deeds—rather, even greater reward is hoped for—based on general principles from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
◈ If detailed virtues are reported through weak narrations, they may be considered within that limited scope, but the act itself is not to be rejected.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
