One of the most important sources of animal wealth in the Islamic world includes ruminant animals, which are herbivorous animals that practice rumination to digest their food. These animals consume grass without fully digesting it, then regurgitate it to their mouth during their resting time to grind it with their molars. Among these animals are sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and more.
Sheep are known by different names in different countries according to languages and cultures. Some call them "ram," "lamb," "ewe," or "mutton." At Meat and More, they stand out with their exceptional and unconventional understanding, offering the finest types of meat and premium products at competitive prices, along with meticulous services to satisfy their customers. They offer a variety of meat cuts to suit everyone's preferences, providing a diverse meal table that includes the best local lamb and imported livestock for family gatherings.
What Is Lamb as a Sacrifice?
Eid Al-Adha is one of the most important Islamic holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide. They sacrifice animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, and camels on a sacred day to commemorate God's mercy, as He saved the Prophet Ibrahim from sacrificing his son Isma'il.
Some of the essential conditions that must be met by the lamb for sacrifice, whether male or female, include:
The lamb should be of a certain age, which means it should be at least six months old.
It should be free from any defects or imperfections that reduce its value or spoil its meat.
It should be sacrificed at the prescribed time, starting after the Eid Al-Adha prayer and continuing until the sunset of the fourth day of Eid, which is the third day of the Tashreeq days.
What Is lamb and mutton?
Both are mammals belonging to the sheep category that feed on grass, and each type of sheep has its distinct flavor and many advantages.
Differences between lamb and mutton meat:
Lamb is a general term that includes all wool-bearing sheep, and the female with wool is called a "ewe." The term "lamb" is also used to refer to young sheep. Additionally, sheep can be called different names depending on their age, maturity, and gender.
Sheep Characteristics:
- Sheep have dense wool (fleece).
- A young sheep is called a lamb.
- Sheep are relatively heavy.
- They have a tail that hangs down from their body.
- Sheep typically give birth to only one offspring in each pregnancy.
- Males are called rams or lambs, while females are known as ewes or sheep.
Lamb Characteristics:
- Goats are known for their soft fur covering their bodies.
- They are lighter in weight and have a leaner body compared to sheep.
- Goats produce more milk than sheep.
- Goats have tails that curve upward.
- Goats often give birth to twins in each pregnancy.
- Males are called bucks, while females are referred to as does or nannies.
Differences Between Lamb and mutton Meat:
Mutton (Woolly):
Sheep meat is the most commonly consumed during Eid Al-Adha among Muslims, known for its rich benefits and distinctive flavor, as well as its ease of cooking.
Advantages of mutton meat include:
- Being rich in protein, antioxidants that fight cancer, a high content of vitamin B12, selenium to boost the immune system, and a good source of iron, zinc, and phosphorus.
- Mutton meat is also known for its ability to maintain healthy blood, prevent anemia, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, slow down aging signs, and strengthen bones.
- It contains omega-3 fatty acids, making it suitable for children's brain development and intelligence.
- Mutton is recommended for weight loss diets due to its low calorie and fat content, and it contains carnitine, converting food into energy.
- It helps maintain hair health, preventing hair loss and promoting growth, as well as keeping the skin youthful and preventing wrinkles.
- It is rich in vitamins (A, B, C, D), essential for human health.
- It builds and maintains muscle mass due to its protein content.
- It raises testosterone levels, the male hormone responsible for reproduction.
- It aids in stopping bleeding, wound healing, and nail growth.
Lamb Meat (Hair-Clad):
Lamb Meat differs slightly from lamb meat, with lower nutritional elements, but it is beneficial due to its high activity level, making it one of the best animals for consumption.
Advantages of Lamb Meat include:
- Being readily available, low in calories, fat, and cholesterol.
- It strengthens the immune system and increases disease resistance due to its linoleic acid content.
- Lamb Meat is considered a good food for children due to its omega-3 content, necessary for brain nutrition and increased intelligence.
- It is recommended for weight loss diets due to its low calorie and fat content.
- Lamb Meat maintains hair health, promoting growth and nourishing hair follicles.
- It keeps the skin fresh, prevents wrinkles, and delays signs of aging.
- Lamb Meat is rich in vitamins (A, B, C, D), essential for human health.
- It builds and maintains muscle mass due to its protein content.
- Lamb Meat raises testosterone levels, the male hormone responsible for reproduction.
- It helps in preventing anemia due to its high iron and copper content, which are crucial for red blood cell formation.
The Age of a Lamb:
A lamb is considered to be in its prime when it reaches eight or nine months of age.
You can determine a lamb's age by examining its teeth. If the teeth are small and even, it indicates that the lamb is one year old. If the front teeth are longer than the others, it means the lamb is older than one year, and it is called a "thanna." If the front four teeth are equally long, it is called a "rubba."
Lamb of prime age is one of the finest types of meat available, known for its high quality and excellent taste, making it a preferred choice for chefs and meat enthusiasts.
Customer Awareness Team