Qurbani Aik Ehsass: The story of a family’s deep attachment to their "Laadla"

A Karachi resident has shared the emotional story of “Laadla”, a calf his family lovingly raised for two years before preparing for its sacrifice on Eid-ul-Adha.

“There are four members in our household, and Ladla became the fifth,” the owner said while talking to Dialogue Pakistan to highlight the true spirit of sacrifice.

“He is loved by everyone — my mother, my sister-in-law, my elder brother and me. He is everyone’s favourite.”

Explaining the animal’s name, he said: “We called him Laadla because he was our beloved. We could not literally name him ‘Favourite’, so Ladla became the perfect name.”

The man said his interest in raising animals began years ago when he would buy sacrificial animals a month or two before Eid. However, this was the first animal the family had raised for such a long period.

“My brother was fond of animals, and then I developed the same passion. My father also always encouraged us,” he said. “My mother and sister-in-law supported us greatly. During the day, my brother and I would be at work, so Ladla mostly drank water from my sister-in-law’s hands. Until a year ago, he would not even drink water from me.”

He recalled that the family initially knew very little about caring for a calf. “When we first brought him home, he was alone and frightened. We would sit beside him, comfort him and feed him ourselves. He used to call out for us if no one was nearby.”

The owner said Laadla became a source of blessing for the household. “When we first brought him home, we worried about the expenses — electricity, water, fodder and maintenance. But after we started raising him, our circumstances improved greatly. It felt as though blessings entered our home.”

Describing the calf’s habits, he said Ladla had become extremely particular about cleanliness and food. “He does not drink water touched by other animals. I wash the bucket and fill it with fresh water in front of him. Even the feeding trays are cleaned regularly because if he senses the slightest smell, he refuses to eat.”

The owner added that the family avoided causing the animal any discomfort. “We never pierced his nose with a ring, despite his size, because it would hurt him. We did not even alter his horns although many people advised us to do so.”

Speaking emotionally about the upcoming sacrifice, he admitted it would be extremely difficult for the family.

“People’s attachment to their sacrificial animals is only beginning, but for us it already feels as though everything is ending,” he said. “Even if I raise ten more animals, Ladla will remain special because we raised him with love from the beginning.”

He revealed that several people had offered to buy the calf, but the family refused every offer.

“What is the point of raising an animal for two years if someone else performs the sacrifice?” he asked. “We never imagined we would become this attached.”

The man also shared that he had commissioned a separate knife specifically for Laadla’s sacrifice. “The knife I use for him will never be used for any other animal,” he said. “It will be painful, but this sacrifice is for the sake of Allah.”