Kitaab At-Tawheed, Chapter: 8 - Part 2
What is Said Concerning Slaughter Dedicated to Other Than Allah
It is reported from Tariq Ibn Shihab (radiAllahu'anhu) that the Prophet said:
"A man entered Paradise because of a fly, while another entered the Fire because of a fly." They asked: "How was that possible O! Messenger of Allah ?" He replied: "Two men passed by a people who had an idol, which it was not permissible for anyone to pass without making a sacrifice to it. They (the people) said to the first man: "Sacrifice (something)." He said: "I have nothing with which to do so." They said: "Sacrifice something, even if it were only a fly," and he did so, and they allowed him to continue on his way and so he entered the Hell-fire. Then they said to the second man: "Sacrifice (something)." But he said: "I will not sacrifice anything unless it be to Allah , the Almighty, the All-powerful," so they struck his neck (and he died) and entered Paradise."
(Narrated by Ahmad)
The Messenger of Allah informs us in this Hadith that two men - possibly they were from the Children of Israel passed by a people who worshipped an idol. They requested the two men to sacrifice something to it, even if it were only something small. The first of them sacrificed a fly and because of this, he was thrown in the Hell-fire. The second, due to his strong faith and complete Tawheed (Monotheism), refused to do so and so they killed him and he entered Paradise.
Benefits Derived From This Hadith
1. The enormity of Shirk (associating partners with Allah), even though it may be small.
2. The existence of Paradise and Hell.
3. That even among the idol-worshipers, the action of the heart is directed to a certain goal.
4. The closeness of man to Paradise and Hell.
5. The warning against sin, even though it may be considered a small sin.
6. Evidence of the breadth of Allah's forgiveness and the severity of His punishment.
7. That the most important deeds are the last ones we do in life.
Relevance of This Hadith to the Subject of the Chapter
That it proves that it is forbidden to slaughter something as a sacrifice to other than Allah, for such an act of worship is Shirk.
Important Note
This Hadith does not contradict the Words of Allah, Most High:
" ...except he who is forced to do so, while his heart remains steadfast in faith" (Qur'an16:106)
Because the Messenger of Allah said (fa garrab): i.e. he attempted to draw closer to Allah by sacrificing the fly, and this indicates his acceptance of the deed and it is this which caused him to enter the Hell-fire because his heart was inclined towards it and did not remain steadfast in faith.
And Allh Knows Best