The Most Virtuous Type of Sacrifice in Islam

By: Imran Ayoob Lahori

Order of Preference in Sacrifice​

The most virtuous sacrifice is:


① Camel (Badanah)
② Cow (Baqarah)
③ Goat/Sheep (Shaat)

Why the Camel is Superior​

1 – Mentioned Specifically in the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:


﴿وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ﴾ (Al-Hajj: 36)


“We have made the sacrificial camels for you among the symbols of Allah; in them there is much good for you.”


2 – Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ himself performed nahr (slaughtering) of camels.


3 – Greater Benefit to the Poor
A camel provides a larger quantity of meat, thus benefiting more needy people.

Rulings Related to Camel Sacrifice​

• Recommended (mustahabb) for those performing Hajj Mufrad or ‘Umrah Mufradah.
• Obligatory for Hajj Qiran, Hajj Tamattu‘, or when a sacrifice becomes compulsory as expiation (dam).
• The same conditions and restrictions for Eid al-Adha animals apply to these sacrificial animals.

Why the Cow is Preferred Over the Goat​

• A cow yields more meat, benefiting more poor people.
• This applies when a single person sacrifices an entire cow.

Note:
If several people share in a cow or camel, scholars differ on whether it is better for a person to have a one-seventh share or to sacrifice a goat alone.
The stronger opinion appears to be that the sacrifice bringing greater benefit to the poor is superior.