✿ Prophetic Instruction on Distribution of Sacrificial Animal Parts
In the authentic narration from Sayyiduna ʿAli ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه, he said:
❝The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed me to stand by his sacrificial animals and to distribute their meat, skins, and saddlecloths as charity. He also commanded that the butcher be given nothing from them as payment. He added: ‘We will give him (wages) from our own wealth.’❞
This Hadith clearly emphasizes the sanctity and purpose of sacrificial offerings during Hajj or Eid al-Adha — that every part of the animal must be treated as a means of reward and not for material gain.
✿ Key Guidelines from the Hadith
✔ Charity is Mandatory:
All components of the sacrificial animal, including meat, skins, and equipment, are to be donated, not sold or profited from.
✔ Butcher’s Compensation:
The Prophet ﷺ strictly prohibited giving the butcher his wage from the meat or any other part of the sacrificial animal. Instead, he is to be paid separately from other resources.
✔ No Commercial Transaction:
The sale of the skin, meat, or any other item from the sacrificed animal is not permissible. This applies to both obligatory and voluntary sacrifices.
✿ Scholarly Explanation
Imam Nawawi رحمه الله explained:
❝It is not permissible to sell the skin or any part of a sacrificial animal — whether the sacrifice is obligatory or voluntary.❞
However, in voluntary sacrifices, the use of items (such as skin) for personal benefit like making containers or leather goods is permissible, as long as they are not sold.
❀ Summary of Rulings
① Sacrificial skins must be donated or used without profit.
② The butcher must be paid separately.
③ Selling any part of the sacrificed animal is forbidden.
④ This ruling upholds the sincerity and sanctity of sacrifice in Islam.
In the authentic narration from Sayyiduna ʿAli ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه, he said:
❝The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed me to stand by his sacrificial animals and to distribute their meat, skins, and saddlecloths as charity. He also commanded that the butcher be given nothing from them as payment. He added: ‘We will give him (wages) from our own wealth.’❞
This Hadith clearly emphasizes the sanctity and purpose of sacrificial offerings during Hajj or Eid al-Adha — that every part of the animal must be treated as a means of reward and not for material gain.
✿ Key Guidelines from the Hadith
✔ Charity is Mandatory:
All components of the sacrificial animal, including meat, skins, and equipment, are to be donated, not sold or profited from.
✔ Butcher’s Compensation:
The Prophet ﷺ strictly prohibited giving the butcher his wage from the meat or any other part of the sacrificial animal. Instead, he is to be paid separately from other resources.
✔ No Commercial Transaction:
The sale of the skin, meat, or any other item from the sacrificed animal is not permissible. This applies to both obligatory and voluntary sacrifices.
✿ Scholarly Explanation
Imam Nawawi رحمه الله explained:
❝It is not permissible to sell the skin or any part of a sacrificial animal — whether the sacrifice is obligatory or voluntary.❞
However, in voluntary sacrifices, the use of items (such as skin) for personal benefit like making containers or leather goods is permissible, as long as they are not sold.
❀ Summary of Rulings
① Sacrificial skins must be donated or used without profit.
② The butcher must be paid separately.
③ Selling any part of the sacrificed animal is forbidden.
④ This ruling upholds the sincerity and sanctity of sacrifice in Islam.
