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| Ir. Ali Mahmud, S.Pt., M.Pt, a lecturer in the Livestock Program at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) (Photo: Special) |
Approaching the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world are preparing to perform one of the important rituals, which is the act of sacrifice. In Islamic teachings, sacrifice is not just about slaughtering an animal; it also involves selecting an animal that complies with Shariah law. The selection of a quality sacrificial animal is essential because the animal will symbolize the sacrifice and sincerity of a Muslim to Allah SWT.
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Ir. Ali Mahmud, S.Pt., M.Pt, a lecturer in the Livestock Program at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), explains that it is important to adhere to Islamic procedures and Shariah law to obtain an animal with good meat quality as well as optimal physical and biological conditions.
"This is also an effort to maintain public health, especially for the beneficiaries by ensuring that the animal is free from diseases, especially those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This should also be a priority. Additionally, animal ethics and welfare must also be considered to produce good meat and ensure proper treatment of the animals," he added.
According to Islamic Shariah, the animals that can be used for sacrifice are camels, cows, goats, or sheep. Each type of animal has a minimum age requirement that must be met. This age ensures that the animal has reached maturity and an appropriate size for sacrifice.
"The age of the livestock must meet the specified requirements. For cows, the minimum age is 1.5 years or can be determined by their incisor teeth; if the incisor teeth are complete, then the cow is suitable for slaughter. Sheep or goats must be at least one year old," he explained.
Several characteristics must be considered to ensure the quality of sacrificial animals. The sacrificial animal must be in good health, not sick, and not have any physical defects, as sick or defective animals are considered imperfect for the act of sacrifice.
"The health of the sacrificial animals must be checked through their medical history and health conditions, ensuring they are free from Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), and other contagious diseases, and have been vaccinated. The animals must be healthy, not sick, not physically defective, not blind or have vision problems, not lame or have walking problems, and not too thin so they have enough meat," he explained.
Quality animals reflect sincerity and dedication in worship. Additionally, caring for animals before slaughter is also very important. Animals must be provided with sufficient food, clean environments, and adequate health care.
"In addition to selecting animals that are well cared for, they must also be provided with sufficient and high-quality food and water, as well as maintained in a clean environment so that the chosen animals are fat and meaty and look fresh at the time of sacrifice. In terms of behavior, animals must exhibit normal behavior and not be stressed. For example, they should not be aggressive or agitated. The animals should also show good appetite," he added.
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By considering the above criteria, individuals can ensure that the animals selected for sacrifice meet the requirements and are suitable for sacrifice according to Islamic teachings. (bal/wil/fajr)
