Eid: Don’t throw animal skins on roads

The Muslims across Jammu and Kashmir would once again follow the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha to remember his sacrifice centuries ago. According to the Islam, Allah ordered Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail. When the blindfolded father moved the blade on his son’s throat to carry out the divine command, an animal from heaven replaced Ismail. It is to celebrate the absolute submission of Prophet Ibrahim to Allah’s command and the saving of Ismail’s life that Muslims offer animal sacrifices on Eid-ul-Adha, which is being observed on the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah, last month of the Islamic calendar. However, in the Valley especially in Srinagar, it was witnessed that many people after sacrificing the animals throw the animal skin on roads, water bodies, which irk the people in general and pollute the environment in particular. The government has already announced stern action against those who are found throwing the animal skins on the roads or in water bodies. Nonetheless, as a Muslim, we must not waste the animal skins by polluting the environment rather should give it to the charity organizations like Yateem trusts, Madrasas and other institutions so that they can generate some income out of it. The Muslims must understand that Islam doesn’t permit us doing so and thus, there is a need to understand that following the Sunnah should not become haphazard for the common people.