Musnad Ahmad

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to “carefully examine the ears and eyes of the sacrificial animal; do not sacrifice a one-eyed animal, nor sacrifice a Muqabalah, Mudabirah, Sharqa’, or Kharqa’.” The narrator says: I asked Abu Ishaq, “Did Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) also mention ‘Adhba’?” He said: “No!” Then I asked, “What is meant by Muqabalah?” He replied: “An animal whose ear is cut from the front.” I asked, “What is meant by Mudabirah?” He replied: “An animal whose ear is cut from the back.” I asked the meaning of Sharqa’, so he replied: “An animal whose ear is split.” I asked the meaning of Kharqa’, so he explained: “An animal whose ear is torn.”