Derived from: “Ashrah Dhul-Hijjah aur Qurbani: Fazail, Ahkam aur Masail” by Abdul Mannan Abdul Hannan Salafi.
① Camels
② Cows
③ Goats
④ Sheep
Allah states in the Quran:
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكًا لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ
“For every community, We have appointed a sacrificial rite so that they may mention the name of Allah over the livestock He has provided them.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 34]
It is better to avoid buffalo for sacrifice and instead opt for camels, cows, goats, or sheep.
② It must have reached the required age:
لا تذبحوا إلا مسنة إلا أن يعسر عليكم فتذبحوا جذعة من الضأن
“Do not sacrifice except a mature animal unless it is difficult, in which case a six-month-old lamb is permissible.” [Muslim]
“Four animals are not permissible for sacrifice: the blind with evident blindness, the sick with clear sickness, the lame with obvious lameness, and the severely emaciated.” [Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever sacrifices before the prayer has slaughtered for himself, and whoever sacrifices after the prayer has completed the ritual.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
“The greatest day in the sight of Allah is the Day of Sacrifice, followed by the Day of Rest (11th Dhul-Hijjah).” [Abu Dawood]
«إِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذِّبْحَ وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ وَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ»
“When you slaughter, do it in the best manner. Sharpen your knife and make it easy for the animal.” [Sahih Sunan Abu Dawood]
Furthermore, Aisha (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ asked her to sharpen the knife with a stone before performing the sacrifice. [Sahih Muslim]
«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَذْبَحُ وَيَنْحَرُ بِالْمُصَلَّى»
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to slaughter and sacrifice at the prayer ground.” [Sahih Bukhari]
«كُلُوا وَادَّخِرُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا»
“Eat, save, and give in charity.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Quran also states:
«فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ»
“Then eat from it and feed the miserable and poor.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 28]
«فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ»
“Then eat from it and feed those who do not ask and those who ask.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 36]
While division into three parts is not obligatory, it is a recommended practice to fulfill the spirit of charity and sharing.
However, caution is advised when giving meat to those who may misuse it, such as consuming it with haram substances (e.g., alcohol). In such cases, it is preferable to avoid giving the meat to such individuals.
«وَلَا تُعْطُوا الْجَزَّارَ شَيْئًا مِنْهَا»
“Do not give any part of it (meat or skin) to the butcher as payment.” [Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim]
However, if the butcher is needy, it can be given as charity or a gift, not as compensation.
May Allah accept our sacrifices and grant us sincerity in all acts of worship.
"Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing."
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 127]
Which Animals Are Prescribed for Sacrifice?
According to the consensus of scholars, sacrifice is permissible only with animals classified as "Bahiimat al-An’aam" (cattle). These are explicitly mentioned in the Quran and include four types of animals:① Camels
② Cows
③ Goats
④ Sheep
Allah states in the Quran:
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكًا لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ
“For every community, We have appointed a sacrificial rite so that they may mention the name of Allah over the livestock He has provided them.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 34]
Buffalo as a Sacrificial Animal
The permissibility of buffalo for sacrifice is debated:- Arguments Supporting its Permissibility: Some scholars consider buffalo a subset of cows, making its sacrifice permissible.
- Arguments Against its Permissibility: Opponents argue that buffalo differs significantly in appearance, temperament, and milk characteristics. Since "Bahiimat al-An’aam" does not explicitly include buffalo, its sacrifice is not prescribed.
It is better to avoid buffalo for sacrifice and instead opt for camels, cows, goats, or sheep.
Which Sacrificial Animal is Superior?
The preferences for sacrificial animals differ:- According to Imam Ahmad, Imam Abu Hanifa, and Imam Shafi’i:
- ① Camel
- ② Cow
- ③ Sheep/Goat (if no partnership is involved)
- Alternative Opinions: Some scholars consider the sacrifice of a ram or lamb superior due to the Prophet ﷺ sacrificing two rams.
Conditions for Sacrificial Animals
Basic Requirements:
① The animal must be free of visible defects.② It must have reached the required age:
- Camel: Five years
- Cow/Buffalo: Two years
- Goat/Sheep: One year (or a six-month-old lamb if it appears fully grown).
لا تذبحوا إلا مسنة إلا أن يعسر عليكم فتذبحوا جذعة من الضأن
“Do not sacrifice except a mature animal unless it is difficult, in which case a six-month-old lamb is permissible.” [Muslim]
Prohibited Defects:
- Blindness: If the defect is obvious.
- Sickness: If the disease is evident.
- Lameness: If the animal cannot walk.
- Severe Emaciation: If the animal lacks marrow.
“Four animals are not permissible for sacrifice: the blind with evident blindness, the sick with clear sickness, the lame with obvious lameness, and the severely emaciated.” [Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi]
Guidelines for Participation in Sacrifice
- Individual Ownership:
A single goat, sheep, or lamb suffices for one person or household. - Joint Ownership:
- Up to 7 people may share in the sacrifice of a cow or buffalo.
- 10 people may share in the sacrifice of a camel.
Timing of Sacrifice
The period for sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer on 10th Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr) and extends until sunset on 13th Dhul-Hijjah.The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever sacrifices before the prayer has slaughtered for himself, and whoever sacrifices after the prayer has completed the ritual.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Preferred Day for Sacrifice
The best day for sacrifice is 10th Dhul-Hijjah, followed by the subsequent days of Tashreeq (11th–13th Dhul-Hijjah). The Prophet ﷺ said:“The greatest day in the sight of Allah is the Day of Sacrifice, followed by the Day of Rest (11th Dhul-Hijjah).” [Abu Dawood]
Sacrificial Procedure and Supplications
While slaughtering the animal, it is Sunnah to lay it facing the Qiblah and recite the following:- Basic Supplication:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
“In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.” [Bukhari, Muslim] - Additional Supplication (Optional):
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي وَمِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي
“O Allah, accept this from me and my family.” [Muslim]
Sharpening the Knife for Sacrifice
It is Sunnah to sharpen the knife before slaughtering an animal to ensure a swift and less painful process. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:«إِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذِّبْحَ وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ وَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ»
“When you slaughter, do it in the best manner. Sharpen your knife and make it easy for the animal.” [Sahih Sunan Abu Dawood]
Furthermore, Aisha (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ asked her to sharpen the knife with a stone before performing the sacrifice. [Sahih Muslim]
Performing Sacrifice Near Eidgah (Prayer Area)
If there are no legal or societal barriers, performing the sacrifice near the Eidgah (prayer ground) is Sunnah. Ibn Umar (RA) reported:«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَذْبَحُ وَيَنْحَرُ بِالْمُصَلَّى»
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to slaughter and sacrifice at the prayer ground.” [Sahih Bukhari]
Distribution of Sacrificial Meat
Self-Consumption, Saving, and Charity
It is recommended to divide the meat into three parts:- For personal consumption
- For relatives and friends
- For the needy and the poor
«كُلُوا وَادَّخِرُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا»
“Eat, save, and give in charity.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Quran also states:
«فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ»
“Then eat from it and feed the miserable and poor.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 28]
«فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ»
“Then eat from it and feed those who do not ask and those who ask.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 36]
While division into three parts is not obligatory, it is a recommended practice to fulfill the spirit of charity and sharing.
Giving Meat to Non-Muslims
Scholars, including Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Imam Thawri, and others, permit sharing sacrificial meat with non-Muslims. This is derived from the general meaning of the word «تَصَدَّقُوا» (give in charity) in Hadith and the principle of goodwill.However, caution is advised when giving meat to those who may misuse it, such as consuming it with haram substances (e.g., alcohol). In such cases, it is preferable to avoid giving the meat to such individuals.
Sacrificial Meat as Payment
It is prohibited to give sacrificial meat or skin as payment to a butcher. Ali (RA) reported:«وَلَا تُعْطُوا الْجَزَّارَ شَيْئًا مِنْهَا»
“Do not give any part of it (meat or skin) to the butcher as payment.” [Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim]
However, if the butcher is needy, it can be given as charity or a gift, not as compensation.
Sacrificing on Behalf of Deceased Persons
The permissibility of sacrificing on behalf of deceased individuals is a subject of scholarly debate:- Permissible: Some scholars compare it to charity, allowing it with the condition that the entire meat is distributed as charity.
- Not Recommended: Other scholars argue there is no authentic evidence for sacrificing solely on behalf of a deceased person.
Sacrifice for the Prophet ﷺ
Some individuals sacrifice on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ, thinking it is a way to "repay" him. This is unnecessary and misguided. The best way to honor the Prophet ﷺ is by sending Salawat (blessings) upon him, as mentioned in the Quran and Hadith.Objectives of Sacrifice
- Attaining Taqwa (Piety) and Allah’s Pleasure:
Sacrifice is an act of worship meant to draw one closer to Allah. It should be performed with sincerity, seeking His acceptance. The Quran emphasizes:
«لَنْ يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَٰكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنْكُمْ»
“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.” [Surah Al-Hajj: 37]
The story of the two sons of Adam illustrates that Allah accepts offerings only from the pious. [Surah Al-Ma’idah: 27] - Commemorating the Sacrifice of Ibrahim (AS):
Sacrifice revives the memory of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his unparalleled submission to Allah’s command. His willingness to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail (AS), is a testament to ultimate faith and obedience. Allah praised their submission and replaced Ismail (AS) with a ram:
«وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ»
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” [Surah As-Saffat: 107]
This act serves as a reminder to Muslims to emulate Ibrahim (AS) in devotion, sacrifice, and steadfastness.
Conclusion
Sacrifice is a profound act of worship symbolizing submission, piety, and gratitude toward Allah. It reminds believers of the sacrifices of Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) and calls for sincere devotion and generosity. Muslims should approach this act with a pure heart, ensuring their intentions align with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.May Allah accept our sacrifices and grant us sincerity in all acts of worship.
"Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing."
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 127]