This was supposed to be part of the last article, but it slipped my mind—so I now feel it deserves its own sub-topic, as a further knock on Malik's thick skull.
Once again, animal sacrifice is not exclusive to the Muslims, and apart from the fact that it was a legacy of Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him),let's look at other examples among the Prophets:
1. Abel (Hābil), the Son of Adam
Abel offered an animal from his flock to Allah, and it was accepted—while his brother Cain’s offering from his crops was rejected. The message was clear: God honored the sincere sacrifice of an animal, not merely the act of giving.
> “And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” – Genesis 4:4
> "And recite to them the story of Adam's two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], 'I will surely kill you.' Said [the former], 'Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].'" – Surah al-Mā’idah: 27
2. Prophet Nūḥ (Noah, peace be upon him)
After the Ark came to rest and the flood subsided, Prophet Nūḥ showed gratitude by offering clean animals in sacrifice. The Bible says God was pleased with the aroma of the burnt offering:
> “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord… and offered burnt offerings.” – Genesis 8:20
The Qur’an is silent on this specific detail.
3. Prophet Ibrāhīm (Abraham, peace be upon him)
The Bible records:
> “And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up…” – Genesis 22:13
4. Prophet Mūsā (Moses, peace be upon him)
Moses didn’t merely perform sacrifices—he institutionalized them. From the Passover lamb to daily burnt offerings and the Day of Atonement, the law he received from God revolved heavily around animal offerings.
Thus, animal sacrifice is central to Jewish tradition. In fact, the Jews used to perform sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem.
5. Prophet Samuel
It’s profound that Prophet Samuel offered a lamb in the face of national danger, and God responded with divine support.
> “And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering…” – 1 Samuel 7:9
6. Prophet Elijah (Ilyās, peace be upon him)
Elijah’s sacrifice was meant to prove which religion was true. He prepared a bull, called upon God, and fire came down from the sky to consume the offering.
> “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice…” – 1 Kings 18:38
> "[They are] those who said, 'Indeed, Allah has taken our promise not to believe any messenger until he brings us an offering which fire [from heaven] will consume.' Say, 'There have already come to you messengers before me with clear proofs and even that of which you speak. So why did you kill them, if you should be truthful?'" – Surah Āl ʿImrān: 183
7. Prophet Dāwūd (David, peace be upon him)
King Dāwūd ended a divine punishment by offering animals in sacrifice. The plague stopped—signifying divine acceptance.
> “David built there an altar… and offered burnt offerings…” – 2 Samuel 24:25
8. Prophet Sulaymān (Solomon, peace be upon him)
At the dedication of the Temple, Sulaymān offered tens of thousands of animals in sacrifice. It was not seen as wasteful but as a grand act of gratitude and humility before God.
Tens of thousands! That’s massive!
No wonder Prophet Muhammad killed about hundred camels in his Farewell Pilgrimage.
What About ʿĪsā (Jesus, peace be upon him)?
Some may ask: Did Jesus (peace be upon him) ever perform a sacrifice?
The New Testament is silent on this, but it is well known that Jesus lived as a Torah-observant Jew. He was circumcised, attended Passover, and respected Mosaic law—all of which included animal sacrifices. His family even presented sacrifices at the Temple when he was a child (Luke 2:22–24).
We know little about his early adult years, but if he practiced his religion as expected, then it’s highly likely he performed animal sacrifices—just like every practicing Jew of his time.
The Christians however think God doest need animal sacrifices again for atonement but the blood of His only son who is God Himself!
Prophet Jesus never said this, it was the strange and esoteric interpretations of later Christians like Paul.
So the Muslim practice of animal sacrifice is not a novelty—it is rooted in the tradition of the earlier prophets. Allah commanded the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to say:
> "Say, 'I am not a bidʿun (newcomer) among the messengers...'" – Surah al-Aḥqāf: 9
> “Say: Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all that exists.” – Surah al-Anʿām: 162
Addendum
You also said something that struck my mind this morning: that the pagans of Makkah weren’t really worshipping those idols—they just used them as means to get closer to Allah.
Well, the Qur’an confirms that the pagans themselves claimed that:
> "Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], 'We only worship them so that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position.' Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever." – Surah az-Zumar: 3
That also reminds me of how the pagans used to make talbiyyah in Jāhiliyyah:
> "Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka illa sharīkan huwa laka, tamlikuhu wa mā malak."
> “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, except a partner who is Yours—you own him and whatever he owns.”
But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and purified that talbiyyah and returned it to what Ibrahim said:
> "Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk, labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk, inna al-ḥamda wa’n-niʿmata laka wa’l-mulk, lā sharīka lak."
> “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Truly, all praise, and every bounty is Yours, and all sovereignty. You have no partner.”
> "They are not but [mere] names you have named them—you and your forefathers—for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance." – Surah an-Najm: 23
