The sermon began with a verse from the Quran, “For every community We appointed a rite of sacrifice so that they may pronounce the Name of Allah over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them,” and a hadith where Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “The son of Adam does not do any deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is dearer to Allah (swt) than sacrificing an animal for Him.”

The sermon highlighted the approach of Eid al-Adha and the importance of the Qurbani ritual. Qurbani involves a Muslim who is considered wealthy by religious standards slaughtering an animal that meets specific conditions as an act of worship to Allah during the days of Eid. It symbolizes gratitude for Allah’s blessings and a willingness to sacrifice for His sake.

The sermon emphasized that Qurbani goes beyond the act of slaughtering and consuming meat. It is about piety, fulfilling Allah’s commands, and sharing with the needy. The Quran states, “Neither their meat nor blood reaches Allah. Rather, it is your piety that reaches Him.”

The essence of Qurbani, according to Islam, is that the believer should personally slaughter the animal and share the meat with family, neighbors, and those in need. The sermon reminded the faithful that donating money instead of performing the sacrifice does not fulfill the religious obligation.

A sheep or goat can fulfill the obligation for one person, while cattle can be shared by up to seven people. The sermon advised against mixing meat from different animals and emphasized that Qurbani should not be treated as a commercial transaction.

For those unable to perform the sacrifice themselves, or wishing to offer more than one Qurbani, the option of proxy sacrifice is available. The Türkiye Diyanet Foundation conducts an “Organization of Qurbani by Proxy,” with the motto “Share Your Qurbani, Get Closer to Your Brothers and Sisters.” The foundation ensures the safe delivery of sacrificial meat to those in need, especially in earthquake-affected areas, and extends aid to the oppressed and needy worldwide.

The sermon concluded with prayers for the acceptance of sacrifices, peace in Gaza, success for students preparing for exams, and a call for youth to grow as beneficial individuals for the country and humanity. (ILKHA)