Children Riding Qurbani Sheep?

Question: A day or two prior to Qurbani, many Muslim get their Qurbani sheep in their yards. While they look after their Qurbani sheep and goats, they also put their minor children on the backs of the animals (to ride). Please comment.

Answer: A sheep or a goat is not a horse. Allah Ta’ala has created certain animals to ride. Horses, donkeys, mules etc. are such animals which are strong enough for people to ride and they are also strong to pull carts.  Sheep and goats are not created for this purpose. We should not put our children on these animals for them to ride. By letting one’s minor children sit on sheep and goats, one will be guilty of Zulm (oppression).