Shaikhul Hind Hazrat Moulana Mahmood Hasan Deobandi (rahmatullahi `alaih) would tend to his Qurbaani cow for the entire year. He would personally wash and feed the animal. The cow would also become very attached to Hazrat. When he would leave home to teach at Darul Uloom Deoband, it would follow him right to the madrasah gate where it would sit down. When Hazrat would return at noon after lessons, it would follow him back home. When the days of Qurbaani drew near, Hazrat would lessen its normal feed, which was grass and substitute it with bucketfuls of milk and jalebi (sweetmeat). He would also apply mehndi (henna) to it, place flowers on its back and beautify it because Allah Ta’ala commands that one’s most beloved wealth should be spent in the path of Allah Ta’ala. Thus, he would begin to love the animal very deeply. After the Eidul Adha Salaah, he would sacrifice it and cry a little as well. Then he would immediately purchase another cow for the following Eid. (Maslak-e-Ulama-e-Deoband aur Hubbe Rasul

[sallallahu alaihi wa sallam]).

Hazrat Thanwi (rahmatullahi `alaih) says: Hazrat once kept a cow which he fed the entire year. He would take it to the jungle after Asr and make it run in order to make it healthy. It became so healthy that he received offers of 80 rupees, whereas a healthy cow in those days cost approximately 10 to 15 rupees. But Hazrat did not accept any offer. (Khutubaate Hakimul Ummat, vol. 17, pg. 154).

Since it was his habit to offer a few qurbani every year, he desired to do the same while he was imprisoned at Malta. Though prisoners are not allowed to slaughter, Hazrat nevertheless forwaded the request that an animal must be made available to him and that he should be allowed to slaughter it. Something which comes out from the heart definitely has its effect. Hence, they were affected and sold him a sheep for 7 genies which Hazrat paid very happily. On the 10th of Zul Hijjah, Hazrat offered the qurbani calling out the takbir in a loud voice in that darul kufr where the sunnat of Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) had not been carried out since the fall of the Islamic rule.

(Hayaate Shaikhul Hind- Akaabire Deoband aur `ishke Rasul [sallallahu alaihi wa sallam], pg. 32).