How to Choose an Animal for Qurbani?
2020-06-26
Qurbani Eid is coming soon, during which followers of Islam sacrifice healthy animals of specific ages according to Islamic rules. In this regard, choosing the right animal for Qurbani is very important. So today we will discuss how to select a suitable animal for Qurbani.
According to Islamic law, goats, sheep, and lambs must be at least one year old, cows and buffaloes must be two years old, and camels must be five years old (Hidaya Vol-4, P. 103). The age of the animal can be easily determined.
For cows or buffaloes, if you open their mouth, you will see teeth in the front part of the lower jaw but none in the upper jaw. At one year of age, the two (milk) teeth from birth fall out and two large teeth grow. Similarly, two large teeth grow each year. At four years of age, a total of eight large teeth are visible, and the cow becomes fully mature. For goats, at 13 months of age, the two front milk teeth in the lower jaw fall out and two large teeth grow. Similarly, two large teeth grow every six months. For sheep, it takes slightly more time than goats.
It is essential to check the health of the animal selected for Qurbani by observing external qualities. A few symptoms can help determine the health of an animal. The normal body temperature of a cow or buffalo is 100-103 degrees Fahrenheit. To determine if a buffalo or cow has a fever, first check if the area between the two nostrils (muzzle) is wet and if the body hair is standing up.
If the hair is standing up or the muzzle is dry, it means the buffalo or cow has a fever. Additionally, you can feel the body temperature of the buffalo or cow by touching the area near the ear with the palm of your hand. Other noticeable symptoms include whether the animal is eating normally or if there is any mucus or saliva coming from the nose or mouth.
The normal breathing rate is 10-30 times per minute, which can be determined by observing the rise and fall of the abdomen. The normal pulse rate (heartbeat) is 40-80 times per minute. This can be determined by touching the area under the jaw or under the tail. Therefore, if the breathing rate is normal, the body temperature is normal, the animal is eating normally, there is no mucus or saliva coming from the nose or mouth, no tears from the eyes, the body hair is not standing up, walking and movement are normal, and the amount, shape, and color of feces and urine are normal, then the animal can be considered healthy.
When we go to the cattle market or see pictures of cows online, we often wonder how much the cow might weigh and try to estimate. The scientific method makes it easy to determine the exact weight of a cow. Measure the length from the Point of Buttock (near the tail) to the front along the right or left side up to the Elbow point (above the front leg) using a tape measure (in inches). Then measure the chest girth (around the chest and back just behind the front two legs). The formula for calculating the weight is:
(Length × Chest girth × Chest girth) ÷ 660 = Approximate weight of the cow (in kg).
For example, if a cow has a length of 55 inches and a chest girth of 74 inches, what is its weight? According to the formula: (55 × 74 × 74) ÷ 660 = 456 kg (approximately).
We hope this article helps you easily select the right animal for Qurbani. May your sacrifice be accepted.
Source: Dr. Aowlad Hossain, Bangla Insider