The Mufti of Tunisia, Sheikh Hicham Ben Mahmoud, has denied rumours claiming that Eid Al-Adha would be cancelled this year to preserve the country’s livestock, emphasising that the ritual is a confirmed Sunnah and cannot be abolished.
In a fatwa published on the official Facebook page of the Dar Al-Ifta, he stated: “In response to the question raised by the National Butchers’ Chamber regarding the possibility of cancelling Eid Al-Adha to protect livestock and due to the high cost of sacrificial animals, it is important to remember that the sacrifice is a ritual of Allah, as stated in the Quran: ‘And whoever honours the symbols of Allah, indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.’”
He added: “Offering a sacrifice for the sake of Allah ranks among the most significant acts of worship. It is an established Sunnah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) consistently practiced, and Muslims are encouraged to perform it as far as their ability allows. The Prophet Muhammad said: ‘Whoever has the means but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place.’ Scholars such as Imam Malik and Imam Al-Shafi’i have classified it as a confirmed Sunnah.”
In recent years, calls to cancel Eid Al-Adha have increased due to the decline in livestock numbers and the rising cost of meat amid Tunisia’s worsening economic and living conditions.
Two years ago, preacher Saifeddine Al-Kouki faced criticism after suggesting that President Kais Saied could offer a sacrifice on behalf of all Tunisians as a solution to the high prices and the inability of many citizens to afford one.
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