In this article we will continue our discussion regarding The Treatise of Rights by Imam Zayn Al-Abidin (AS). We will discuss the Right of the offering. Regarding this, the Imam (AS) has said:

And the right of the offering is that through it you purify your will toward your Lord, and expose yourself to His Mercy, and His approval and not the eyes of the observers lower than Him. If this is so, you will neither be hypocritical nor extravagant. You will only intend the offering for God’s sake, and know that God wishes your ease, and does not wish your hardship.

He also wishes His creatures to take it easy, and does not wish them to suffer hardships. Likewise, modesty is better than arrogance, for there lies extravagance and falsehood in the arrogant, while there are no formalities or falsehoods in the humble and the servile, since they are creatures and they exist in nature. There is no power but in God.

The Arabic word ‘hada’ meaning offering is used to refer to the sacrifice made for the holy pilgrimage to the Ka’ba. We read the following verse in the Holy Qur’an:

“And do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice...” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Baqarah 2:196]

The second obligatory act in Mina for those who go on the pilgrimage is to send an offering for sacrifice. This offering is intended to be an act to get closer to God. We read the following in Majma’ al-Bahrain: “Offering refers to any good deed done with the intention of getting closer to God.” If we want to better understand what Imam Sajjad said about the offering, we should review the Qur’anic verses on this issue. In the Holy Quran it says:

“And complete the Hajj or 'Umrah in the service of God. But if ye are prevented (from completing it), send an offering for sacrifice, such as ye may find, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill, or has an ailment in his scalp, (necessitating shaving), (he should) in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice; and when ye are in peaceful conditions (again), if anyone wishes to continue the 'Umrah on to the Hajj, he must make an offering, such as he can afford…” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Baqarah 2:196]

In another verse it says:

“God made the Ka'ba, the Sacred House, an asylum of security for men, as also the Sacred Months, the animals for offerings, and the garlands that mark them…” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Maida 5:97]

Generally speaking we can understand that what the Imam says in his treatise of rights regarding the offering goes hand in hand with what the Quran says.

Knowing the root of where the practice of offering started is quite crucial. Historical records show various forms of offering for sacrifice existed in different nations. The Qur’an has stated the origin of this practice to be at the time of the two sons of Adam as we read in the following verse:

“Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! They each presented a sacrifice (to God): It was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay thee." "Surely," said the former, "God doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous.” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Maida 5:27]

Evidently we can tell that offering is way to get closer to Allah (SWT). Since the present of one of them was accepted, the other one threatened to kill him. The two sons of Adam used this practice to test their closeness to Allah (SWT). Abraham also tested his closeness to Allah (SWT) through presenting a sacrifice.

The meat of the sacrificed animal should be distributed among the poor people for the sake of God. We can understand this from numerous traditions.

Imam Sadiq quoted on the authority of God’s Prophet:

“God has established this sacrifice in order that your poor may have ample meat to eat. Therefore, give them meat to eat!”