Written by: Qari Osama Bin Abdul Salam
Important Rulings about the Eid al-Adha Sacrifice 
1. If you cannot afford to offer a sacrificeWhoever does not possess the means to offer a sacrifice on Eid al-Adha should still trim their hair and cut their nails on the day of Eid (it is not necessary to shave the entire head; trimming is sufficient). Based on the glad tidings in the hadith, such a person will receive the reward of sacrifice, as mentioned:
The Hadith:
“A man asked (the Prophet ﷺ): ‘If I only find a female animal to sacrifice (i.e., a milk-producing one), should I offer it?’ He replied: ‘No, but take (i.e., trim) some of your hair, and cut your nails, and shorten your mustache, and shave your pubic hair. That is your complete sacrifice with Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.’”
(References: Sahih Ibn Hibban Hadith 1043; Musnad Ahmad 11/139 #6575; Abu Dawud #2789; Nasa’i #4365; Darqutni #4749; Hakim #7529)
Note: Imam Hakim and Imam Dhahabi (رحمہم اللہ) graded this hadith as Sahih. As for the narrator ‘Isa ibn Hilal al-Sadafi, multiple scholars (Ibn Hibban, Hakim, etc.) considered him thiqah (reliable), thus the hadith is hasan.
2. Sacrifice (Qurbani) is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Highly Emphasized Sunnah)Evidence #1: The hadith of Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
“When you see the crescent of Dhul Hijjah and one of you intends to sacrifice, let him refrain from cutting his hair and his nails.”
(References: Sahih Muslim #1977, others)
In this narration, “whoever intends to sacrifice” indicates sacrifice is not an absolute obligation (fard) but a Sunnah. Ibn Hazm (رحمه الله) points to this wording in al-Muhalla bi’l Athaar (7/355) as a proof that Qurbani is not wajib but Sunnah.
Evidence #2: It is authentically reported that Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما) at times did not offer sacrifice, fearing that people would take it as wajib (obligatory). (Ma’rifat al-Sunan wal Athar #5633, Musnad al-Faruq 1/332)
Similarly, it is narrated from ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amr (رضي الله عنه) and Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما) that they clarified sacrifice is not obligatory.
The majority of scholars concluded that the practice of some Sahabah in skipping sacrifice occasionally was to prevent the Ummah from thinking it was fard or wajib. In truth, the Prophet ﷺ himself constantly offered sacrifice and encouraged the Ummah to do so, indicating it is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah.
A Seeming Objection: The hadith of Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه), in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever has the means to sacrifice but does not do so, let him not come near our prayer place.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah #3123)
Although this appears to indicate obligation, other daleel (evidence) clarifies it is intended as strong emphasis. Therefore, Qurbani remains a Sunnah Mu’akkadah. A person with the means must not neglect it.
Additional Benefits:
[]It showcases Muslim unity and enhances brotherly bonds.
[]Neglecting it despite having the ability is a serious omission.- The Prophet ﷺ’s stern warning (“let him not approach our prayer place”) is a form of rebuke, not an actual prohibition from Salat.
3. What Animals are Valid for Qurbani?From the Qur’an and the continuous practice of the Prophet ﷺ and the Sahabah, only four types of livestock (bahimat al-an‘am) are used:
[]Camel (male or female)
[]Cattle (cow/bull)
[]Sheep (ram) or lamb
[]Goat (male or female)
(References: Surah al-An‘am 143–144, Surah al-Hajj 28 & 34’s phrase “bahimat al-an‘am,” Sharh Sahih Muslim by al-Nawawi 13/125)
Age Requirements: The Shari‘ah stipulates that the sacrificed animal be at least:
[]Camel: 5+ years
[]Cattle: 2+ years
[]Goat/Sheep: 1+ year (entered into its second year)
[]An exception: If a sheep (ram/lamb) is called “jadh‘a” and has actually reached the age that physically appears like a one-year-old, it may be sacrificed if older animals are unavailable, based on the permission in hadith.
(References: Sahih Muslim #5082/1963; Fath al-Bari; Sharh ‘Awn al-Ma‘bud; Marqat al-Mafatih; Kitab al-Majmu‘ of Imam Nawawi 8/365)
4. Is the Sacrifice of a Castrated Animal Permissible?Yes. The Prophet ﷺ himself sacrificed two horned rams that were castrated:
“On the Day of Sacrifice, the Prophet ﷺ slaughtered two rams with horns, speckled in color, which were castrated.”
(Musnad Ahmad 6:220 #25885; Abu Dawud #2795; Ibn Majah #3122, etc.)
[]A better, healthier, and flaw-free animal is preferable.
[]Castration is not considered a defect that invalidates the sacrifice.
[]One single goat/sheep can suffice on behalf of a person and his entire household.
[]It is permissible to offer sacrifice on behalf of another living person, but not proven from an authentic hadith to do so specifically for a deceased person (unless it is considered a general charity sadaqah, intending the reward to reach the deceased).
5. The Animal Must Be Free from Obvious DefectsIt is forbidden to sacrifice animals with severe, evident defects:
“Four (types) are not permissible for sacrifice:
- A blind (or one-eyed) animal with obvious blindness,
- A sick animal with clear sickness,
- A lame animal with evident lameness,
- An extremely emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud #2802, Nasai #4377, Tirmidhi #1497 (1297 in some editions), Ibn Majah #3144 (3122 in some editions), Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah #2912, etc. – declared sahih by numerous hadith scholars)
Additionally, animals with more than half of the ear or horn cut off, or with the ear severely split or punctured, etc., are also not valid for Qurbani. This is based on authentic narrations from ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) and others.
Likewise, any very obvious defect (like total blindness, or a severed limb, or severe mange that harms its health) disqualifies the animal for sacrifice. A slight imperfection does not invalidate it.
6. Can a Pregnant or Milking Animal be Sacrificed?Yes, offering a pregnant or milk-producing animal is permissible. There is nothing in authentic texts prohibiting it. The hadith discussing a milk-producing female (manīḥah) was specifically addressed to a Companion who only owned that one milking animal for his livelihood; hence the Prophet ﷺ discouraged him from sacrificing it so he would still have its benefit. Otherwise, a milking or pregnant animal is acceptable for sacrifice.
Furthermore, if a pregnant animal is slaughtered and its fetus is found inside (dead or alive), the fetus is considered “slaughtered with the mother,” based on the hadith of Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه). (Sunan Abi Dawud #2827) Hence one does not need to slaughter the fetus separately.
7. The Proper Time of Sacrificea) It Must Be Done After the ‘Eid Prayer
Numerous hadiths forbid slaughtering before the ‘Eid prayer. Anyone who slaughters before the ‘Eid prayer is told it counts only as regular meat, not sacrifice. They would have to repeat it (if able).
(Sahih Bukhari #976; Ibn Majah #3151)
b) Sacrifice Days Are Three
It is established from many Companions—such as ‘Ali, Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn ‘Umar, and Anas (رضي الله عنهم)—that Qurbani can be performed on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
(Sunan al-Kubra lil-Bayhaqi #19249–19254, Ahkam al-Qur’an by Tahawi 2/205–206, etc.)
Most scholars conclude these three days are valid, with the 10th being the most virtuous.
8. Recommended Supplication (Du‘a) When SlaughteringWhen the Prophet ﷺ turned the animal towards the Qiblah, he would recite:
“Innī wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhī faṭaras-samāwāti wal-arḍ ḥanīfan, wa mā ana mina-l-mushrikīn. Inna ṣalātī wa nusukī wa maḥyāya wa mamātī lillāhi Rabbil-‘ālamīn, lā sharīka lah, wa bithālika umirtu wa ana awwalul-muslimīn. Allāhumma minka wa laka ‘an Muḥammadin wa ummatih.”
Meaning:
“I have turned my face (in devotion) to the One Who created the heavens and the earth, pure in faith, and I am not among the idolaters. Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah, Lord of all creation. No partner has He. Thus I have been commanded, and I am the first of those who submit. O Allah, this is from You and for You, on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah #3121 [some copies #2121]; Abu Dawud #2795; Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah #2899)
9. Using a Sharp Knife & Minimizing the Animal’s SufferingThe Prophet ﷺ emphasized mercy and excellence in every matter:
“Verily Allah has enjoined ihsan (excellence) in all things. So when you kill, kill well; and when you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and spare suffering to the animal.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i #4410, Sahih Muslim #1955, etc.)
[]The Prophet ﷺ himself placed his foot on the side of the ram and slaughtered it with his own hand, using a sharp knife, making the process swift and less painful.
[]Do not sharpen the knife in front of the animal or treat it harshly.- Allow the animal to become completely still before cutting or skinning.
10. Division of the Meat & Storing ItIt is permissible to:
[]Divide the meat into three parts: for the poor, for relatives/friends, and for one’s own household. (Surah al-Hajj 28, 36)
[]Store or preserve the meat without limit (unlike earlier times when storing was discouraged to ensure widespread feeding, the Prophet ﷺ later permitted storage as well).- Give the skin as charity or for personal use. However, it cannot be used to pay the butcher’s fee. Doing so is forbidden based on the hadith of ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) in Sahih Muslim #1317 and Bukhari #1717, etc., which states the Prophet ﷺ forbade giving the butcher part of the meat/hide as his wage.
11. Sharing in a Large AnimalSeven People per Camel or Cow
“We sacrificed with the Prophet ﷺ at al-Hudaybiyyah, offering one camel on behalf of seven people, and one cow on behalf of seven.”
(Sahih Muslim #1318)
In another narration, Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) mentioned 10 people sharing one camel in travel circumstances (Tirmidhi #1501). However, the common practice is up to seven per camel or cow.
12. One Sheep/Goat is Sufficient for a Whole HouseholdAbu Ayyub al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه) said:
“In the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, a man would sacrifice a single sheep on behalf of himself and his entire household. They would eat from it and feed others. Then people started boasting (by sacrificing many animals), as you see nowadays.”
(Tirmidhi #1505, Sunan Ibn Majah #3147 (some editions), declared Sahih)
13. Sacrificing at Home or at the ‘Eid GroundBoth practices are established. The Prophet ﷺ sometimes slaughtered at the ‘Eid place (Bukhari #5552–1552), and at times privately. The same applies to the Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم).
[]It is also permissible to slaughter the animal personally, or appoint someone else to do it on your behalf.
[]Imam Malik mentions that the Prophet ﷺ sometimes asked others to slaughter on his behalf. (Muwatta Malik #145; al-Sunan al-Sughra lil-Nasa’i #4424)
May Allah accept our sacrifices and grant us the true spirit of Eid al-Adha.
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