Latest news with #Izhar
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- General
- Sinar Daily
Qurban, a beautiful reminder to give from the heart and reflect on what truly matters
EVERY year, as Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, the air fills with the sounds of prayers, the scent of sacrificial meat, and a growing sense of tradition. But behind the bustle of buying cattle and coordinating distribution lies something far deeper, a timeless message of sacrifice, humility, and shared humanity. It's easy to get caught up in the logistics: How much for one portion? Goat or cow? Local or overseas? Yet, as Islamic law expert Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim reminds, the core of qurban is not about ritual alone, it's about intent. 'It is also the sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). We must constantly remind our families that when we offer a portion of a goat or cow, it is to draw ourselves closer to Allah,' he says. 'While the adat (custom) may follow second, the priority is to recognise it as a sunnah. The family tradition of never missing Qurban is noble, but what's more important is to remember that it originates from the sunnah.' A REFLECTION For many, the act of sacrificing an animal feels like a ceremonial duty, a yearly checkbox. But Izhar points to something more powerful: empathy. 'This annual practice should remind and encourage us to constantly engage in self-reflection and humility. From Qurban, we are taught gratitude, to recognise that what we have is already the best, especially compared to others who might only eat meat once a year during this occasion," he said. For those who feast without thinking, it's a sobering reminder: meat, which many enjoy regularly, remains a rare luxury for others. Qurban is a moment to pause, give thanks, and give back. A TEST OF EGO AND SINCERITY He also highlighted a growing concern, which is performative piety. In an age where social media announcements and donation receipts can be flaunted like badges of honour, even acts of worship risk being reduced to status symbols. 'This act of worship reminds us that everything we do should be solely for the sake of gaining Allah's approval. "Qurban should be devoid of the intention to impress others, such as boasting that we've sacrificed a whole cow or five animals in our name, which does happen in some cases. "By reminding ourselves that our actions must never be for people, but for Allah, we help ourselves avoid this," he said. That sense of humility, he says, is central to the entire tradition. And it's a humility that should extend beyond individuals, even to the way the community collectively performs and manages the practice. GO BIG, GIVE BEST There's also the issue of quality. According to Izhar, choosing the weakest or cheapest animal just to 'tick the box" misses the point entirely. 'Islam teaches us that when we give food to others, we must offer the best. The same applies when spending in the way of Allah and giving in charity. Don't go for the cheapest or lowest quality animals just to save costs,' he said. And while it's become increasingly popular to outsource qurban to other countries due to cost, he cautions that there is virtue in thinking local first. 'The poor we distribute to should be Muslims within Malaysia. "Making our local friends, neighbours, and community members happy takes precedence over sending food abroad, where others have their own governments and wealth. "Prioritise the needy around us such as our village, our town, our state, and neighbouring states. Eventually, the whole country benefits. 'There are poor people here too. Our goal is to bring joy to those in need, not to save money. This perception needs to be corrected so that we are confident our ibadah will be accepted by Allah," he said. WHEN CONVENIENCE MEETS CONVICTION In today's digital-first world, online qurban services have become increasingly convenient. Click a few buttons and a sacrifice is performed in your name. But is ease coming at the cost of awareness? 'The system of purchasing qurban meat and animal selection online is one of today's conveniences, using modern technology for buying and financial transactions,' Izhar acknowledged. But he stressed that true engagement requires more than a digital footprint. 'The sacrifice and distribution must be tangible, you can't rely on the digital realm because you don't know whether the meat will truly reach the intended recipient. "We must ensure the meat is delivered to the rightful recipients: the poor, the neighbours, the family and only lastly, for ourselves," he said. This entire process must be observed physically and with full awareness of the religious rulings on qurban meat distribution. DISTRIBUTE WITH DIGNITY Even the way we distribute meat matters. Izhar cautions against practices that prioritise the privileged, giving the best cuts to the wealthy while handing off leftovers to the needy. 'That is not right. This practice teaches justice, patience, and empathy,' he said. 'It educates us about effective and ethical management (husnul tadbir) in religious obligations. It trains both our spiritual and physical selves to become better people and responsible stewards (khalifah) in realising the purpose of Qurban in the best possible way.'
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bangladesh Interim regime adviser meets LeT operative
The legal adviser to Bangladesh's interim administration, Dr Asif Nazrul, allegedly met a senior local Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative Izhar in Dhaka a day after the Pahalgam terrorist attack , a development that raises suspicions of involvement of the current dispensation in Dhaka in promoting extremism against India , said people familiar with the matter. The meeting is being viewed as a serious threat to regional stability, raising fears of increasing proximity between radical groups and the interim Bangladesh regime, Dhaka-based people said on condition of anonymity, adding that the details of the meeting were yet to emerge. Izhar has a history of orchestrating terrorism plots from Bangladeshi soil, including an aborted attack on the Indian High Commission in Dhaka in 2009. He allegedly maintains deep ties with Hefazat-e-Islam, a Deobandi Islamist group established in Bangladesh in 2010. Izhar, who faces more than 25 terrorism charges in Bangladesh, has been under the radar of the Bangladesh security establishment since 2009.
