One of the great blessings of living at the Dergah is being able to know exactly where your food comes from. This week I host a BBQ at my home and invited the mureeds over. For that purpose I slaughtered a goat. Pictures of a Zabiha (warning: blood) are present after clicking the link. Shaykh Effendi says that performing Zabiha properly is very important, and in itself a cure for depression.
Click the link for the pictures.
Praying before cutting
Cutting
Getting the Spinal Cord
Skinned and ready to be chopped up.
August 8th, 2007 - 12:40 pm
Asalaamu alaikum.
A cure for depression? This is interesting…
August 8th, 2007 - 3:11 pm
As-salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi,
Do you live at the Dergah now? I grew up in Binghamton, so I know that area well.
wa salam.
August 8th, 2007 - 4:53 pm
Walaikumsalaam Abdallah,
I try to be here at the dergah as much as possible, although I split my time between NJ and here.
August 9th, 2007 - 1:06 am
BismillaharRahmanirRahim
as-salaamu ‘alaikum
Bro. I’m sorry I was not able to make it, you know I wanted to. Ah well… Ramadan is approaching!
August 9th, 2007 - 6:03 pm
A cure for depression to kill beautiful creatures? I used to slaughter for the Muslims and I never felt so tense, so disconnected, than when slaughtering. To see the beautiful life of the animal leave is saddening. How that is a cure for depression behooves me.
August 9th, 2007 - 6:14 pm
as-salamu’alaikum Abul Layth,
Everything is put into perspective when it comes to slaughter of an animal. Its sacrifice, purpose and meaning is clear. Our similarity and differences are also made apparant by the sacrifice.
Did you blindfold the animal allowing it not to see the blade? Did you give the animal water by your own hand? Did you bring it to the ground and allow its blood to come into the ground? Within each of the sunnah actions we find a great meaning.
Through the proper means we find mercy as well and a better understanding of our own purpose in this life. Our worldly concerns become that much more petty when we realize the fragility of life.