Prohibition of Defective and Faulty Animals for Sacrifice
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
❀ Animals Not Permissible for Sacrifice
Sacrifice is not valid with animals that are defective or clearly diseased.
① Narration of al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (RA):
"أربع لا تجوز فى الأضاحي العوراء بيـن عــورهـا والمريضة بين مرضها والعرجاء بين ظلعها والكسير التى لا تنقي"
"Four animals are not permissible for sacrifice: one-eyed whose defect is obvious, sick whose sickness is evident, lame whose lameness is apparent, and weak ones having no marrow (extremely thin)."
In another narration, instead of الكسير, the word العجفاء (emaciated/lean) is used.
[Sahih: Sahih Abu Dawood: 2431, Kitab al-Dahaya: Bab ma yukrah min al-dahaya; Abu Dawood: 2802; Nasa’i: 7/214; Tirmidhi: 1497; Ibn Majah: 3144; Muwatta: 2/482; Darimi: 2/76; Ahmad: 4/301; Hakim: 4/223; Bayhaqi: 9/274; Sharh Ma‘ani al-Athar: 4/168; Ibn Khuzaymah: 4/292]
② Narration of Ali (RA):
"أمرنا رسول الله أن نستشرف العين و الأذن"
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us to carefully inspect the eyes and ears (of the sacrificial animal)."
[Sahih: Sahih Abu Dawood: 2432, Kitab al-Dahaya: Bab ma yukrah min al-dahaya; Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 1149; Abu Dawood: 2804; Nasa’i: 7/216; Ibn Majah: 3142; Darimi: 2/77; Tirmidhi: 1498]
③ Another narration from Ali (RA):
"أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم نهي أن يضحي بعضباء الأذن والقرن"
"The Prophet ﷺ forbade sacrificing an animal whose ears or horns were cut."
[Da‘if: Da‘if Abu Dawood: 601, Kitab al-Dahaya: Bab ma yukrah min al-dahaya; Nasa’i: 7/217; Ibn Majah: 3145; Hakim: 4/224; Tiyalisi: 1009]
❀ Conclusion
- Sacrifice is not valid with visibly defective animals such as one-eyed, sick, lame, or extremely weak ones.
- Animals with cut ears or horns are also discouraged.
- The Prophet ﷺ instructed Muslims to inspect the eyes and ears carefully before sacrifice.
