By: Qari Usama bin Abdus-Salam (Hafizahullah)◈ Diverging Opinions Among Scholars
There exists a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding the number of days for offering the sacrificial animal (Qurbani).❖ Some scholars uphold that there are four days of sacrifice, while
❖ Others affirm that there are only three days.
Both groups present evidences from Islamic sources. Here, we will examine the arguments supporting the four-day view first to evaluate which stance has stronger proof.
❖ Evidences for Four Days of Sacrifice
① Narration of Jubair bin Mut’im رضي الله عنهThe Prophet ﷺ said:
"أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ ذَبْحٌ"
“The Days of Tashreeq are days of sacrifice.”
(Source: Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 4, p. 82)
Though this narration is considered Munqati‘ (disconnected), both Imam Ibn Hibban and Imam Bayhaqi have narrated it in a connected form.
Shaykh Albani رحمه الله authenticated it.
(Refer to: Al-Jami‘ al-Saghir, Hadith 4537)
② Those who allow only two days after Eid base it on the saying:
“Sacrifice is to be offered on the day of Eid and the following two days.”
(Source: Al-Bayhaqi, Vol. 1, p. 297)
However, this is a statement of Ibn Umar or Umar رضي الله عنهما, not a Marfu‘ (direct Prophetic) Hadith, hence it cannot override a Prophetic narration.
❖ Decision of Allama Shawkani رحمه الله
He cites five scholarly opinions and concludes:❝ All days of Tashreeq are days of sacrifice, and they are the three days following Yawm al-Nahr (Eid day). ❞(Source: Nayl al-Awtar, Vol. 5, p. 125)
❖ Best Day to Sacrifice
❖ The first day (10th Dhul-Hijjah) is the most virtuous as the Prophet ﷺ himself performed the sacrifice on that day.❖ Delay without valid reason is discouraged.
❖ Some believe delaying helps the poor and needy, but there's no transmitted evidence to support this.
❖ If sacrificing on 13th Dhul-Hijjah, it must be done before sunset, as the next day begins after sunset.
Analysis of Narrations Regarding Four Days
The document provides detailed scrutiny of several chains of narration that mention all Days of Tashreeq (11, 12, 13 Dhul-Hijjah) as sacrificial days. Below are summaries of key findings:① Hadith via Sulaiman bin Musa → Jubair bin Mut‘im رضي الله عنه
- Found in: Musnad Ahmad, Bayhaqi, etc.
- Weak due to disconnection — Sulaiman did not meet Jubair.
- Considered Mursal by Imam Bayhaqi.
- Imam Bukhari and Ibn Hajar affirm the disconnection.
② Hadith via Abdul Rahman bin Abi Husayn → Jubair رضي الله عنه
- Ibn Abi Husayn is Majhool al-Haal (unknown reliability).
- Did not meet Jubair.
- Ibn Hibban is the only one who authenticated him.
③ Narration from Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri رضي الله عنه
- “All days of Tashreeq are days of sacrifice.”
- Very weak due to the narrator Mu‘awiyah bin Yahya al-Sadafi, declared weak by the majority.
④ Narrations involving Suwaid bin Abdul Aziz
- Found in: Musnad al-Bazzar, Bayhaqi, etc.
- Suwaid is agreed upon as weak by scholars like Ibn Hajar, Haythami, etc.
❖ Conclusion on the Narrations
All routes of the narration "All Days of Tashreeq are days of sacrifice" are weak (ضعیف). Therefore, declaring it Hasan or Sahih is incorrect.Authenticity must be based on academic standards, not personal inclination.
Athar (Statements) of the Companions
After confirming the weakness of relevant Ahadith, the sayings of the Companions are examined:① Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما:
❝ The sacrifice is valid for two days after Eid. ❞
(Source: Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi)
② Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه:
❝ Sacrifice is offered two days after Eid, and the best day is Eid day. ❞
(Source: Ahkam al-Qur'an by Tahawi)
③ Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه:
❝ Sacrifice is for two days after Eid. ❞
(Source: Ahkam al-Qur'an)
④ Ali bin Abi Talib رضي الله عنه:
❝ Sacrifice is for three days after Eid day. ❞
⑤ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:
❝ The days of sacrifice are three days. ❞
(Source: Al-Muhalla by Ibn Hazm, Hadith 982 – Hasan chain)
❖ Final Summary
No direct and authentic Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ confirms that sacrifice may be offered on the fourth day (13th Dhul-Hijjah).The opinion that sacrifice is valid for three days (10, 11, 12 Dhul-Hijjah) has stronger support from:
✔ Numerous Sahabah (Companions)
✔ Absence of any authentic Marfu‘ Hadith supporting the fourth day
Thus, the stronger opinion is that Qurbani should be done within three days, with the first day being the most virtuous.
