Slaughtering the Sacrificial Animal by One’s Own Hand – A Sunnah and the Best Practice
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
◈ The Sunnah of Slaughtering with One’s Own Hand
It is Sunnah and more virtuous that a person slaughters his sacrificial animal himself. The evidences are as follows:
① Ḥadīth of Jābir رضي الله عنه
In the narration of Ḥajj al-Wadāʿ it is mentioned:
«فنحر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بيده ثلاثا وستين بدنة جعل يطعنها بحربة فى يده»
"The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ slaughtered sixty-three camels with his own hand, striking them with a small spear that he had in his hand."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1218② Ḥadīth of Anas رضي الله عنه
He reported:
«أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم نحر سبع بـدنـا بيده قياما وضحى بالمدينة بكبشين أقرنين أملحين»
"The Prophet ﷺ slaughtered seven camels with his own hand while they were standing, and in Madinah he sacrificed two horned, white rams."
Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2423, Abū Dāwūd: 2793③ Another Ḥadīth of Anas رضي الله عنه
«وانكفأ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى كبشين أقرنين أملحين فذبحهما بيده»
"The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ turned towards two horned, white rams and slaughtered them with his own hand."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5554④ Detailed Description by Anas رضي الله عنه
He said:
«ضحى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بكبشين أمـلـحـيـن فرأيته واضعا قدمه على صفاحهما يسمى و يكبر فذبحهما بيده»
"The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two white rams. I saw him placing his foot on their sides, saying ‘Bismillāh, Allāhu Akbar,’ and slaughtering them with his own hand."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5558◈ Rulings of Scholars
✔ Imām al-Shawkānī رحمه الله:
He considered this view preferable, that a person should slaughter his sacrifice himself.
al-Sayl al-Jarrār, 3/243✔ Ibn Qudāmah رحمه الله:
If a person slaughters the sacrificial animal with his own hand, it is afḍal (more virtuous).
al-Mughnī, 13/389✔ Sayyid Sābiq رحمه الله:
Whoever is capable of slaughtering properly, it is Sunnah that he slaughters his sacrifice with his own hand.
Fiqh al-Sunnah, 3/198
Conclusion
From the above aḥādīth and the statements of scholars, it is proven that:
- The Prophet ﷺ used to slaughter his sacrificial animals himself.
- It is Sunnah and more virtuous for a Muslim to do the same if he is able.
- If not, he may appoint someone else, but the best practice is to perform it personally.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wa-Allāhu Aʿlam bi-ṣ-ṣawāb.
