❖ Riding the Sacrificial Camel: Prophetic Guidance and Scholarly Views
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once saw a man walking alongside a sacrificial camel. The Prophet ﷺ instructed him, “Ride it.” The man replied, “It is a sacrificial animal.” The Prophet ﷺ repeated, “Ride it.” Abū Hurayrah says, “I saw him riding it, accompanying the Prophet ﷺ.”In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized a second or third time:
“Ride it — woe to you!” or “Alas for you!”
✿ Lexical Explanation:
- Badanah (بَدَنَة): A term that refers to a large sacrificial animal, specifically a camel or a cow.
✿ Explanation of the Ḥadīth:
This narration illustrates a clear instance where the Prophet ﷺ permitted, and even encouraged, riding a sacrificial camel before it is slaughtered.Some scholars took the literal meaning and concluded that riding a sacrificial camel is obligatory. However, the majority of scholars interpret the instruction as permission tied to worldly necessity or benefit, rather than an obligation. They argue this based on the fact that the Prophet ﷺ himself did not ride his own sacrificial animals, nor did he command others to do so regularly.
Thus, according to the majority, riding a sacrificial camel is permissible — particularly in cases of need — but not obligatory.
✔ Summary:
① Riding a sacrificial camel is allowed based on prophetic instruction.② It is not obligatory, as neither the Prophet ﷺ nor others made it a consistent practice.
③ The allowance is linked to necessity or convenience without impacting the validity of the sacrifice.
④ This narration reflects the balance and mercy found in Islamic rulings related to worship and rituals.
