This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Farooq Rafi Sahib's book Qurbani, Aqiqah, and Ashra Zil-Hijjah.
Performing sacrifice is permissible for a traveler just like it is for a resident; however, scholars differ on the issue of the permissibility of sacrifice for a traveler. After presenting the views of the scholars below, we will indicate the preferred opinion.
Schools of Thought and Opinions:
① The Shafi'is and the majority of scholars hold the view that just as sacrifice is Sunnah for a resident, similarly, sacrifice is also permissible for a traveler.
② Ibrahim an-Nakha'i and Abu Hanifa say that there is no sacrifice obligation on a traveler, and this view is also reported from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him).
③ Malik and a group of scholars hold the position that sacrifice is not permissible for a traveler in Mina and Makkah.
Reference: Sharh an-Nawawi: 13 / 133. 'Awn al-Ma'bud: 8 / 27
Preferred Opinion:
The position of the majority of scholars on this issue is established, and the arguments are as follows:
① Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
ذبح رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ضحيته ثم قال : يا ثوبان : أصلح لحم هذه، فلم أزل أطعمه منها حتى قدم المدينة
"(On the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage) the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) slaughtered his sacrifice and then said: O Thawban! Store its meat. Afterwards, I kept feeding him with it continuously until he reached Medina."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter on the prohibition of eating the meat of sacrifices after three days in the early Islam: 1975. Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter on the traveler who sacrifices: 2814
Benefits:
① It is permissible to store the meat of sacrifice for more than three days and to take it as provisions for the journey.
② Storing travel supplies and taking provisions for the journey is not detrimental to reliance (tawakkul), and such a person is not excluded from the category of those who rely on Allah.
③ Sacrifice is equally lawful for a traveler as it is for a resident, and this is the position of us (the Shafi'is) and the majority of scholars.
Reference: Sharh al-Nawawi: 134/13. 'Awn al-Ma'bud: 27/8
② Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم دخل عليها و حاضت بسرف قبل أن تدخل مكة و هي تبكي فقال : ما لك، أنفست، قالت : نعم، قال : إن هذا أمر كتبه الله على بنات آدم، فاقضي ما يقضي الحاج غير أن لا تطوفي بالبيت، فلما كنا بمنى، أتيت بلحم بقر، فقلت ما هذا ؟ قالوا ضحى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن أزواجه بالبقر
Before entering Mecca, she became menstruous at Maqam al-Sarif, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to her while she was crying. He asked: "What is the matter with you? Have you become menstruous?" She replied: "Yes!" The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah has prescribed this matter (menstruation) upon the daughters of Adam. So whoever performs Hajj, do what you can of deeds, but do not perform the Tawaf of the House (Kaaba)." (Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates) Then when we were in Mina on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, a cow's meat was brought to me. I asked: "What kind of meat is this?" They (those who brought the meat) said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has slaughtered a cow on behalf of his wives."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: Sacrifice for the Traveler: 5548. Sahih Muslim, Book of Hajj, Chapter: Explanation of the Ways of Ihram: 1211
Benefits:
① Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, established this chapter "باب الأضحية للمسافر والنساء" (The statement about sacrifice for travelers and women) on this hadith and explained the permissibility of sacrifice for travelers.
② Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, states that this title indicates that those who say sacrifice is not permissible for travelers, their position is against the Sunnah.
Reference: Fath al-Bari: 10 / 8
③ Ibn Battal, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the explanation of the chapter's hadith that Shafi'i says: "Sacrifice is Sunnah for all people, and it is also permissible for those performing Hajj in Mina to offer sacrifice." Abu Thawr holds the same position, and Shafi'i's evidence is the hadith mentioned above.
Reference: Sharh Ibn Battal: 11 / 4
④ Our master Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, states:
كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى سفر فحضر الأضحى، فاشتركنا فى البقرة سبعة و فى البعير عشرة
"We were traveling with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and Eid came, so seven people shared a cow and ten people shared a camel."
Reference: Hasan: Jami' Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapters of Sacrifices, Chapter on Sharing in Sacrifice: 1501. Sahih Ibn Hibban: 4007. Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 2908. 'Ulbā' bin Ahmar is trustworthy and the other narrators are reliable.
This hadith is also a clear text that offering sacrifice while traveling is permissible and, like in the state of residence, it is a confirmed Sunnah.
