Mukhtar_Scotland
22-12-2006, 11:23 PM
Several Islamic Web sites are now offering the service of selling and slaughtering sacrificial animals; the ritual that marks Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Adha (the feast of sacrifice) comes on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja and marks the end of the annual Hajj to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son (Ismael) for Allah (SWT).
During the feast, Muslims who can afford to buy domestic animals, usually sheep, sacrifice these animals and distribute the meat among the poor and relatives as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
Muslims living in Western countries who are unable to perform the holy ritual can now buy a sacrificial animal over the Internet, and even watch it being slaughtered according to the Sharia, or Islamic law.
"It is not easy for them to buy animals and carry out the sacrifice according to our religious rites in those countries," said Sohail Ahmed, an official at the Al-Khidmat trust Islamic welfare organization, which offers the service.
"They are turning to the Internet to complete their religious obligations," said Ahmed.
Traditionally, sacrificial animals, like goat, cows, sheep and camel are available in big markets in Islamic countries during Eid Al-Adha, which this year falls in the first week of January.
But now many Muslims abroad and at home are using the Internet where they can buy sacrificial animals with their credit cards.
Buying sacrificial animals through the Internet is becoming popular in Pakistan, says Farukh Sheikh of the Sahara trust for life.
"It is a matter of convenience. People nowadays don't have time to go to the markets and haggle over prices," Sheikh said.
The Alamgir welfare trust also offers the option of watching the sacrifice on its Web site.
"We have a dedicated IP address and people can watch the sacrifice no matter which country they are in," said organization official Shakeel Dehalvi.
Animals are available on the Web sites for between U.S. $100 for a goat and U.S. $450 for a cow.
Some Muslims shun the Internet as Web purchases made with credit cards can involve paying interest, which is banned under Islamic law.
"On Web sites, normally buyers have to pay interest on purchases made on their credit cards," said Rizwan Edhi of the Edhi trust in Pakistan. “We're better off avoiding any controversy relating to Islamic laws."
But other Islamic scholars say the practice is legitimate as long as the bill is paid off before interest can accumulate.
"I see no problem in it, even if the payment is through credit cards," said Mufti Sarfraz Naeemi, head of the Jamia Naeemia foundation.
"But it is important the credit card user pay the amount instantly so he saves himself from interest," he added.
-- AJP and Agencies
Eid al-Adha (the feast of sacrifice) comes on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja and marks the end of the annual Hajj to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son (Ismael) for Allah (SWT).
During the feast, Muslims who can afford to buy domestic animals, usually sheep, sacrifice these animals and distribute the meat among the poor and relatives as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
Muslims living in Western countries who are unable to perform the holy ritual can now buy a sacrificial animal over the Internet, and even watch it being slaughtered according to the Sharia, or Islamic law.
"It is not easy for them to buy animals and carry out the sacrifice according to our religious rites in those countries," said Sohail Ahmed, an official at the Al-Khidmat trust Islamic welfare organization, which offers the service.
"They are turning to the Internet to complete their religious obligations," said Ahmed.
Traditionally, sacrificial animals, like goat, cows, sheep and camel are available in big markets in Islamic countries during Eid Al-Adha, which this year falls in the first week of January.
But now many Muslims abroad and at home are using the Internet where they can buy sacrificial animals with their credit cards.
Buying sacrificial animals through the Internet is becoming popular in Pakistan, says Farukh Sheikh of the Sahara trust for life.
"It is a matter of convenience. People nowadays don't have time to go to the markets and haggle over prices," Sheikh said.
The Alamgir welfare trust also offers the option of watching the sacrifice on its Web site.
"We have a dedicated IP address and people can watch the sacrifice no matter which country they are in," said organization official Shakeel Dehalvi.
Animals are available on the Web sites for between U.S. $100 for a goat and U.S. $450 for a cow.
Some Muslims shun the Internet as Web purchases made with credit cards can involve paying interest, which is banned under Islamic law.
"On Web sites, normally buyers have to pay interest on purchases made on their credit cards," said Rizwan Edhi of the Edhi trust in Pakistan. “We're better off avoiding any controversy relating to Islamic laws."
But other Islamic scholars say the practice is legitimate as long as the bill is paid off before interest can accumulate.
"I see no problem in it, even if the payment is through credit cards," said Mufti Sarfraz Naeemi, head of the Jamia Naeemia foundation.
"But it is important the credit card user pay the amount instantly so he saves himself from interest," he added.
-- AJP and Agencies