Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Hajj Verse 36

Mufti Taqi Usmani

The big animals of sacrifice (like camels and cows) are made by Us among the symbols of Allah for you, in which there is much good for your benefit. So recite the name of Allah over them as they are lined up (for sacrifice). Then, once their flanks fall down (after slaughter), eat of them and feed the one who is content and the one who wishes to receive. Thus We have made them (the animals) subjugated to you, so that you may be grateful.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

We have made sacrificial camels ˹and cattle˺ among the symbols of Allah, in which there is ˹much˺ good for you. So pronounce the Name of Allah over them when they are lined up ˹for sacrifice˺. Once they have fallen ˹lifeless˺ on their sides, you may eat from their meat, and feed the needy—those who do not beg, and those who do. In this way We have subjected these ˹animals˺ to you so that you may be grateful.

Ruwwad Translation Center

We have ordained the sacrificial camels [and cattle] among the rituals of Allah, in which there is much good for you. So mention the name of Allah over them when they are lined up, then when they fall down on their sides, eat of them and feed those [poor] who do not beg and those who do. Thus We have made them subservient to you, so that you may be grateful.

A. J. Arberry

And the beasts of sacrifice -- We have appointed them for you as among God's waymarks; therein is good for you. So mention God's Name over them, standing in ranks then, when their flanks collapse, eat of them and feed the beggar and the suppliant. So We have subjected them to you; haply you will be thankful.

Abdul Haleem

We have made camels part of God’s sacred rites for you. There is much good in them for you, so invoke God’s name over them as they are lined up for sacrifice, then, when they have fallen down dead, feed yourselves and those who do not ask, as well as those who do. We have subjected them to you in this way so that you may be thankful.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And the camels! We have appointed them for you among the landmarks of Allah; for you is good therein; so mention the name of Allah over them, standing in rows. Then when they fall down on their sides, eat thereof and feed the contented and suppliant. Thus We have subjected them to you, that haply ye may return thanks.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the symbols from Allah; in them is (much) good for you; then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice); when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility; thus have We made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful.

Abul Ala Maududi

We have appointed sacrificial camels among the symbols of (devotion to) Allah. There is much good in them for you. So make them stand (at the time of sacrifice) and pronounce the name of Allah over them, and when they fall down on their sides (after they are slaughtered), eat and also feed them who do not ask and those who ask. Thus have We subjected these animals that you may give thanks.

Ahmed Ali

We have made the camels signs of God for you. There is good for you in this. So pronounce the name of God over them as they stand with their forefeet in a line. When they have fallen (slaughtered) on their sides, eat of (their meat) and feed those who are content with little, and those who supplicate. That is why We have brought them under your subjugation so that you may be grateful.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And the large sacrificial animals – the camels and the cows – We have made them among the symbols of Allah, there is goodness for you in them; therefore mention the name of Allah over them with their one leg tied and standing on three feet; then when their flanks have fallen, eat from it yourself and feed the one who patiently awaits, and the beggar; this is how We have given them in your control, so that you be grateful.

Ali Quli Qarai

We have appointed for you the [sacrificial] camels as part of Allah’s sacraments. There is good for you in them. So mention the Name of Allah over them as they stand. And when they have fallen on their flanks, eat from them, and feed the self-contained needy and the mendicant. Thus have We disposed them for your benefit so that you may give thanks.

Ali Ünal

And the cattle, (including especially the camels) – We have appointed their sacrifice as among the public symbols and rituals set up by God for you, in which there is much good for you. When they (the camels) are lined up in standing position for sacrifice, pronounce God’s Name over them. When they fall down on their sides and fully die ready to be eaten, eat of their meat and feed the poor such as (beg not but) live in contentment and such as beg with due humility. (It is for the purposes and benefits mentioned, and based on the principles mentioned) that We have put the sacrificial animals in your service, so that you may give thanks to God.

Amatul Rahman Omar

We have made the sacrificial animals among the Symbols appointed by Allâh for you. They are of immense good to you. So (whenever you offer them for sacrifice do it) in the name of Allâh (while they) stand (drawn up) in lines. When their flanks collapse, (on being slaughtered), eat from (the meat of) them and feed him who is (in need but) contented and him who begs. In this way We have made these (animals) subservient to you so that you may render thanks.

English Literal

And the fattened camel/cow (for sacrifice), We made it for you from God`s methods/ways of worship, for you in it (is) goodness , so remember/mention God`s name on it (when it is) lined/arranged in a row, so if it fell down and died (was sacrificed and fell on) its sides, so eat from it and feed the humble asker that is content with little or much , and the poor/needy/poorest, as/like that We manipulated/subjugated it for you, maybe/perhaps you thank/be grateful.

Faridul Haque

And the large sacrificial animals – the camels and the cows - We have made them among the symbols of Allah, there is goodness for you in them; therefore mention the name of Allah over them with their one leg tied and standing on three feet; then when their flanks have fallen, eat from it yourself and feed the one who patiently awaits, and the beggar; this is how We have given them in your control, so that you be grateful.

Hamid S. Aziz

To those whose heart, when Allah is mentioned, are filled with awe, and to those who endure patiently all that befalls them, and to those who are steadfast in prayer and who spend of what We have given them.

Hilali & Khan

And the Budn (cows, oxen, or camels driven to be offered as sacrifices by the pilgrims at the sanctuary of Makkah.) We have made for you as among the Symbols of Allah, therein you have much good. So mention the Name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice). Then, when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat thereof, and feed the beggar who does not ask (men), and the beggar who asks (men). Thus have We made them subject to you that you may be grateful.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and who are patient in their afflictions, and who keep up prayer, and spend of what We have given them.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And (as for) the camels, We have made them of the signs of the religion of Allah for you; for you therein is much good; therefore mention the name of Allah on them as they stand in a row, then when they fall down eat of them and feed the poor man who is contented and the beggar; thus have We made them subservient to you, that you may be grateful.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And the camels! We have appointed them among the ceremonies of Allah. Therein ye have much good. So mention the name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines. Then when their flanks fall (dead), eat thereof and feed the beggar and the suppliant. Thus have We made them subject unto you, that haply ye may give thanks.

Muhammad Sarwar

For you We have made the sacrificial camel one of the reminders of God. It also has other benefits for you. Consecrate it with the Name of God when it is steadily standing. When it is slaughtered, consume its flesh and give part of it to the needy who do and those do not ask for help from others. Thus We have made the camel subservient to you so that perhaps you may give thanks.

Qaribullah & Darwish

And the camels We have made a part of the waymarks of Allah. In them is good for you. Pronounce over them the Name of Allah, when they are hobbled; and when they have fallen down on their sides, eat of them and feed the impoverished nonrequestor and the requestor. As such We have subjected them to you, in order that you give thanks.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And the Budn, We have made them for you as among the symbols of Allah, wherein you have much good. So mention the Name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice). Then, when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat thereof, and feed the Qani` and the Mu`tarr. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may be grateful.

Wahiduddin Khan

We have appointed for you the sacrificial camels as one of the symbols set up by God, in which there is much good for you. So invoke God's name over them as you line them up for slaughter, and when they have fallen down dead, feed yourselves and feed the needy -- those who do not ask as well as those who do. We have thus subjected them to you so that you may be grateful.

Talal Itani

We have made the animal offerings emblems of God for you. In them is goodness for you. So pronounce God’s name upon them as they line up. Then, when they have fallen on their sides, eat of them and feed the contented and the beggar. Thus We have subjected them to you, that you may be thankful.

Tafsir jalalayn

And [as for] the sacrificial camels (al-budn, plural of badana, which are `camels') -- We have appointed them for you as one of God's sacraments, the [ritual] ceremonies of His religion. There is good for you in them, benefit for you in this world, as already mentioned, and a reward in the Hereafter. So mention God's Name over them, at the point of immolating them, when they are lined up, standing on three legs, with the left foreleg hobbled. Then, when their flanks have collapsed, fallen to the ground after immolation -- which is the time when one may eat of them -- eat of them, if you wish, and feed the [self-contained] beggar (al- qni`, [a beggar] who is content with what he is given, neither asking nor approaching [people]) and the suppliant (al-mu`tarr, [a beggar] who asks [for charity] or approaches [people for that purpose]). So, that is, similar to such a disposal, We have disposed them for you, that it may be immolated or ridden -- for otherwise it would not have been possible -- that perhaps you might be thankful, for My graces to you.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Command to slaughter the Budn (Sacrificial Camel)

Allah tells;

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَايِرِ اللَّهِ

And the Budn, We have made them for you as among the symbols of Allah, wherein you have much good.

Here Allah reminds His servants of the blessing which He has bestowed on His servants, by creating the Budn for them and making them one of His symbols. For He has decreed that they should be brought to His Sacred House; indeed, they are the best of that which may be offered as a sacrifice to Allah, as He says;

لَا تُحِلُّواْ شَعَأيِرَ اللَّهِ وَلَا الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلَا الْهَدْىَ وَلَا الْقَلَـيِدَ وَلاا ءَامِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ

Violate not the sanctity of the Sha`a'ir of Allah, nor of the Sacred Month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlanded animals, and others, nor the people coming to the Sacred House. (5;2)

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَايِرِ اللَّهِ
(And the Budn, We have made them for you as among the symbols of Allah),

Ibn Jurayj said;

"Ata' commented on this Ayah, `Cattle and camels."'

A similar view was also reported from Ibn Umar, Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib and Al-Hasan Al-Basri.

Mujahid said;

"Al-Budn means camels."

According to Muslim, Jabir bin Abdullah and others said,

"The Messenger of Allah commanded us to share in offering the sacrifice, a Budn (camel) for seven people, and one cow for seven people."

لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ

wherein you have much good.

means, reward in the Hereafter.

فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ

So mention the Name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice).

It was reported from Al-Muttalib bin Abdullah bin Hantab that Jabir bin Abdullah said,

"I prayed with the Messenger of Allah on `Id Al-Adha. When he finished, he brought a ram and slaughtered it, saying,

بِاسْمِ اللهِ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَنِّي وَعَمَّنْ لَمْ يُضَحِّ مِنْ أُمَّتِي
Bismillah, and Allahu Akbar. O Allah, this is on behalf of me and anyone of my Ummah who has not offered a sacrifice.

This was recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi.

Muhammad bin Ishaq recorded from Yazid bin Abi Habib from Ibn Abbas that Jabir said,

"The Messenger of Allah sacrificed two rams on the day of `Id, and when he lay them down to sacrifice them, he said;

وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّموَاتِ وَالاَْرْضَ حَنِيفًا مُسْلِمًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ إِنَّ صَلَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي للهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَلَكَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ وَأُمَّتِه

I turn my face to the One Who created the heavens and the earth, being true and sincere in faith submitting myself to Him Alone, and I am not of the idolators. Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all that exists for, with no partner or associate for Him. Thus am I commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims. O Allah, from You and to You, on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah.

Then he said, `Bismillah' and `Allahu Akbar' and slaughtered them."

It was reported from Ali bin Al-Husayn from Abu Rafi` that when the Messenger of Allah wanted to offer a sacrifice, he would buy two fat, horned, fine rams. When he had prayed and addressed the people, he would bring one of them to where he was standing in the prayer place, and would sacrifice it himself with a knife, then he would say;

اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَنْ أُمَّتِي جَمِيعِهَا مَنْ شَهِدَ لَكَ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ وَشَهِدَ لِي بِالْبَلَغ

O Allah, this is on behalf of all of my Ummah, whoever bears witness of Tawhid of You and bears witness that I have conveyed.

Then he would bring the other ram and sacrifice it himself, and say,

هَذَا عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ وَالِ مُحَمَّد

This is on behalf of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

He would give them to the poor and he and his family would eat from it as well.

This was recorded by Ahmad and Ibn Majah.

Al-A`mash narrated from Abu Zabiyan from Ibn Abbas,
فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ
(So mention the Name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice).

"When they are standing on three legs, with the left foreleg tied up. He says Bismillah and Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahumma Minka wa Laka (In the Name of Allah and Allah is Most Great; there is no God but Allah. O Allah, from You and to You)."

In the Two Sahihs it was recorded that Ibn Umar came to a man who had made his camel kneel down in order to sacrifice it. He said,

"Make it stand up fettered, (this is) the Sunnah of Abu Al-Qasim (i.e. the Prophet Muhammad )."

فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا

Then, when they are down on their sides,

Ibn Abi Najih reported that Mujahid said,

"This means, when it has fallen to the ground."

This was narrated from Ibn Abbas, and a similar view was narrated from Muqatil bin Hayyan.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said,
فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا
(Then, when they are down on their sides),

"Meaning, when they have died."

This is what was meant by the comment of Ibn Abbas and Mujahid, for it is not permitted to eat from the sacrifice when it has been slaughtered until it has died and its movements have ceased.

It was reported in a Marfu` Hadith;

لَاا تُعَجِّلُوا النُّفُوسَ أَنْ تَزْهَق

Do not rush until you are sure that the animal is dead.

Ath-Thawri narrated in his Jami that Umar bin Al-Khattab said that, and he supported it with the Hadith of Shaddad bin `Aws in Sahih Muslim;

إِنَّ اللهَ كَتَبَ الاِْحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَإِذَا قَتَلْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الْقِتْلَةَ وَإِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذِّبْحَةَ وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ وَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَه

Allah has prescribed proficiency in all things. If you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.

It was recorded that Abu Waqid Al-Laythi said,

"The Messenger of Allah said;

مَا قُطِعَ مِنَ الْبَهِيمَةِ وَهِيَ حَيَّةٌ فَهُوَ مَيْتَة

Whatever is cut from an animal while it is still alive is Maytah (dead flesh).

This was recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who graded it Sahih.

فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ

eat thereof, and feed Qani` and the Mu`tarr...

This is a command which implies that this is permissible.

Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn Abbas said,

"Qani` is the one who is content with what he is given and he stays in his house, and the Mu`tarr is the one who comes to you and rubs shoulders with you so that you will give him some meat, but he does not ask for it."

This was also the view of Mujahid and Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi.

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said,

"Qani` is the one who is too proud to ask, and Mu`tarr is the one who does ask."

This was also the view of Qatadah, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i and Mujahid, according to one report narrated from him.

And the opposite was also suggested. This Ayah has been quoted as evidence by those scholars who said that the sacrifice should be divided into three;

a third for the one who offers the sacrifice to eat from,

a third to be given as gifts to his friends, and

a third to be given in charity to the poor,

because Allah says;

فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ


eat thereof, and feed the poor who does not ask, and the beggar who asks.

But there is no evidence in this Ayah for this view.

According to a Sahih Hadith, the Messenger of Allah said to the people;

إِنِّي كُنْتُ نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنِ ادِّخَارِ لُحُومِ الاَْضَاحِي فَوْقَ ثَلَثٍ فَكُلُوا وَادَّخِرُوا مَا بَدَا لَكُم

I used to forbid you to keep the meat of the sacrifice for more than three days, but now eat from it and keep it as you see fit.

According to another report;

فَكُلُوا وَادَّخِرُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا

Eat some, keep some and give some in charity.

According to another report;

فَكُلُوا وَأَطْعِمُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا

Eat some, feed others, and give some in charity.

As for the animal skins, it was recorded in Musnad Ahmad from Qatadah bin An-Nu`man in the Hadith about the sacrifice;

فَكُلُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا وَاسْتَمْتِعُوا بِجُلُودِهَا وَلَا تَبِيعُوهَا

Eat and give in charity, and make use of the skins, but do not sell them.

Note;

It was recorded that Al-Bara' bin `Azib said,

"The Messenger of Allah said;

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا نَبْدَأُ بِهِ فِي يَوْمِنَا هَذَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ ثُمَّ نَرْجِعَ فَنَنْحَرَ فَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ أَصَابَ سُنَّتَنَا وَمَنْ ذَبَحَ قَبْلَ الصَّلَةِ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ لَحْمٌ قَدَّمَهُ لاَِهْلِهِ لَيْسَ مِنَ النُّسُكِ فِي شَيْء

The first thing that we should do on this day of ours (`Id) is to pray, then we return and offer the sacrifice. Whoever does that will have followed our Sunnah. Whoever slaughters his animal before the prayer, this is just meat which he has brought for his family, it is not a sacrifice at all.

This was recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

And in Sahih Muslim, it is mentioned that one is not to offer the sacrifice until the Imam (leader) has offered his.

It is prescribed to offer the sacrifice on the day of Nahr and the following three days of Tashriq, because of the Hadith of Jubayr bin Mut`im who said that the Messenger of Allah said;

أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ كُلُّهَا ذَبْح

The days of Tashriq are all (for) sacrifice.

This was recorded by Ahmad and Ibn Hibban.

كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ



Thus have We made them subject to you that you may be grateful.

means, for this reason.

سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ
(Thus have We made them subject to you),

means, `We have subjugated them to you, i.e., We have made them submissive towards you, so that if you wish you can ride them, or if you wish you can milk them, or if you wish you can slaughter them,' as Allah says;

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْاْ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِمَّا عَمِلَتْ أَيْدِينَأ أَنْعـماً فَهُمْ لَهَا مَـلِكُونَ

Do they not see that We have created for them of what Our Hands have created, the cattle, so that they are their owners. (36;71) until He said;
أَفَلَ يَشْكُرُونَ
(Will they not then be grateful). (36;73)

And Allah says in this Ayah;

كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ


Thus have We made them subject to you that you may be grateful.