Source: Sermons of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tawheed.com
Allah Almighty has created man for His worship, therefore it is the responsibility of every Muslim to spend every moment of his life in accordance with Allah's pleasure and to strive for closeness to Allah through worship and obedience. Allah Almighty has also appointed certain special times in which opportunities for good deeds increase, and it is necessary for the servant to make a strong effort to excel in acts of worship and various righteous deeds. Among these blessed times is the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, which is clearly testified to by the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and in the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has emphasized their greatness by swearing an oath by these days. This article elaborates on the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, its recommended acts, and important guidance related to sacrifice.
The Greatness of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah in the Light of the Quran
Allah Almighty said:
﴿وَٱلْفَجْرِ ﴿١﴾ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ ﴿٢﴾
Reference: (Al-Fajr 89: 2-1)
Translation: "By the dawn, and by the ten nights."
According to the majority of commentators, "the ten nights" refers to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah, and Allama Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) has also affirmed this opinion in his commentary. The fact that Allah Almighty swears an oath by these days is itself evidence that these days are very great and virtuous, because Allah Almighty swears by that which is of great significance. Therefore, Allah's servants should consider these days as a source of honor and goodness and strive diligently for righteous deeds.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٦٩﴾
Reference: (العنکبوت29 : 69)
Translation: "And those who strive for Our (religion), We will surely guide them to Our paths, and indeed Allah is with the doers of good."
We pray to Allah that He grants us the ability to worship more during these days and makes us those who benefit greatly from these blessed days.
❀ These days are the best among all days of the world
Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
(أَفْضَلُ أَیَّامِ الدُّنْیَا أَیّامُ الْعَشْرِ یَعْنِیْ عَشْرَ ذِیْ الْحِجَّةِ، قِیْلَ: وَلَا مِثْلُھُنَّ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ ﷲِ؟ قَالَ وَلَا مِثْلُھُنَّ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ عَفَّرَ وَجْھَهُ فِی التُّرَابِ)
Reference: (Narrated by Al-Bazzar and Ibn Hibban, authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Targhib wa Al-Tarhib:1150)
Translation: "Among all the days of the world, the best days are the days of the first ten of Dhul-Hijjah. It was asked: Are the days of jihad in the way of Allah not like them? He said: The days of jihad are not like them, except for the man who has buried his face in the dust (meaning he has become a martyr)."
Similarly, Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(مَا مِنْ أَیَّامٍ اَلْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِیْھَا أَحَبُّ إِلَی اللّٰہِ مِنْ ھَذِہِ الأیَّامِ یَعْنِیْ أَیَّامَ الْعَشْرِ، قَالُوْا: یَا رَسُوْلَ اللّٰہِ! وَلَا الْجِھَادُ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ؟ قَالَ: وَلَا الْجِھَادُ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ، ثُمَّ لَمْ یَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَیْئٍ)
Reference: (Narrated by Ahmad. The wording is his. And Al-Bukhari has a similar meaning:969)
Translation: "There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days (meaning the first ten of Dhul-Hijjah). The companions said: O Messenger of Allah! Is jihad in the way of Allah not (as beloved)? He said: Not even jihad, except for the person who goes out with his life and wealth and does not return with anything."
This means that spending wealth in the way of Allah and becoming a martyr himself will make this act more beloved, otherwise, in general, other righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah during these days.
In another narration, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(مَا مِنْ عَمَلٍ أَزْکیٰ عِنْدَ اللّٰہِ وَلَا أَعْظَمُ أَجْرًا مِنْ خَیْرٍ یَعْمَلُهُ فِی عَشْرِ الْأضْحیٰ)
Translation: “There is no deed performed during the days of sacrifice that is more pure and more rewarding in the sight of Allah.”
It was asked: Not even jihad in the way of Allah? He replied: “Not even jihad, except for a person who goes out with his life and wealth, then sacrifices his wealth and also sacrifices his life.”
The narrators say that based on this hadith, Sa'id ibn Jubair (may Allah have mercy on him) would exert himself in worship so much during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah that it became difficult for others to worship like him.
Reference: (Sahih al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib by Al-Albani:1148)
Therefore, we should also adopt the practice of the righteous predecessors (may Allah have mercy on them) and engage in as much worship as possible during these ten days.
(2) Among these days is the Day of Arafah
Among the blessed days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of Arafah also comes, which is the main day of Hajj, and on this day, the greatest pillar of Hajj, the standing at Arafah, is performed. This is a great day in which Allah Almighty announces general forgiveness for the people of Arafat and on this day, He grants freedom from Hellfire to the most number of His servants.
Therefore, even if there is no other virtue during the days of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of Arafah alone is sufficient to highlight the greatness and virtue of these days.
(3) Among these days is the Day of Nahr as well
Included in these blessed days is the Day of Nahr (the day of sacrifice). According to some scholars, the Day of Nahr is superior to all other days of the year, because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(أَعْظَمُ الأَیَّامِ عِنْدَا یَوْمُ النَّحْرِ وَ یَوْمُ القَرِّ)
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood and Nasai. Authenticated by Al-Albani)
Translation: “The most honored and esteemed day in the sight of Allah is the Day of Nahr (i.e., 10th of Dhul-Hijjah), and then after that is the day of staying in Mina (i.e., 11th of Dhul-Hijjah).”
(4) Numerous important acts of worship are gathered in these days
Allama Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned this point in Fath al-Bari:
(وَالَّذِی یَظْهَرُ أَنَّ السَّبَبَ فِی امْتِیَازِ عَشْرِ ذِی الْحِجَّةِ لِمَکَانِ اجْتِمَاعِ أُمَّهَاتِ الْعِبَادَۃِ فِیْهِ وَهِیَ الصَّلَاۃُ وَالصِّیَامُ وَالصَّدَقَةُ وَالْحَجُّ، وَلَا یَتَأَتّٰی ذَلِكَ فِی غَیْرِہ)
Reference: (فتح الباري:460/2)
Translation: "The distinctive virtue of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah seems to be that fundamental acts of worship are combined in them, namely: prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj. This combination is not possible in the same way on other occasions."
Recommended Acts of the Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah
Once it is clear that the virtue of good deeds in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is much greater compared to ordinary days, one should consider this golden opportunity granted by Allah as a precious gain. Such blessed opportunities do not come repeatedly, so make a great effort in worship and obedience during these days, just as the righteous predecessors (may Allah have mercy on them) would not let these occasions slip away and were extremely interested in good deeds.
Abu Othman al-Nahdi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
"The noble predecessors greatly valued three ten-day periods: the last ten days of Ramadan, the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and the first ten days of Muharram."
Now, the recommended acts during these days, which all Muslims should pay special attention to, are as follows:
(1) Performing the rites of Hajj and Umrah
The most virtuous act among the deeds performed in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is the performance of Hajj and Umrah, because Allah grants Paradise to the person whom He enables to perform Hajj to the House of Allah and Umrah in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(الْعُمْرَۃُ إِلَی الْعُمْرَۃِ کَفَّارَۃٌ لِمَا بَیْنَھُمَا، وَالْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُوْرُ لَیْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إلَّا الْجَنّةُ)
Reference: (Muttafaqun Alayh)
Translation: “One Umrah is an expiation for the sins between it and the next Umrah, and the reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing but Paradise.”
An accepted Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) is one that is performed according to the prophetic method and is free from all types of sins, such as showing off, sexual relations, and acts of immorality, but is rather filled with righteous deeds and character.
(2) Fasting
Fasting is also among the acts of righteousness, and it is indeed one of the most virtuous and beloved acts in the sight of Allah.
It is narrated from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(مَا ِمنْ عَبْدٍ یَصُوْمُ یَوْمًا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ إلَّا بَاعَدَ اللّٰہُ بِذٰلِكَ الْیَوْمِ وَجْهَهُ عَنِ النَّارِ سَبْعِیْنَ خَرِیْفًا)
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:2840, Sahih Muslim:1153)
Translation: "Whoever fasts for a day in the way of Allah, Allah will distance his face from the Fire by a distance of seventy years."
This is the general virtue of fasting, and regarding the fasts of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, there is a narration from the Mothers of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with them, that states:
(کَانَ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم یَصُوْمُ تِسْعَ ذِی الْحِجَّةِ، وَیَوْمَ عَاشُوْرَاءَ، وَثَلَاثَةَ أَیَّامٍ مِنْ کُلِّ شَهْرٍ)
Reference: (Sunan Abu Dawood:2437 and authenticated by Al-Albani)
Translation: "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Ashura, and three days every month."
Therefore, it is recommended to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah.
The narration of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, and its application
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, states:
(مَا رَأَیْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم صَائِمًا فِی الْعَشْرِ قَطُّ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1176)
Translation: "I have never seen the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in a state of fasting during the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah."
Imam Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, states that this hadith should not lead to the misconception that fasting during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is disliked, because scholars have interpreted it as follows:
❀ There is no dislike in fasting on these days; rather, it is highly recommended, especially the fast of the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah).
❀ The fact that Hazrat Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, did not observe it is not evidence that the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not fast; it is possible that he may have missed it due to travel or some other reason.
Reference: (Sharh al-Nawawi li Sahih Muslim:58/4)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, sometimes refrained from a preferred act out of concern that it might become obligatory for the Ummah, so it is possible that he did not fast for this reason.
Reference: (Fath al-Bari:460/2)
Special Virtue of the Fast of the Day of Arafah
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, described the virtue of fasting on the Day of Arafah by saying:
(صَوْمُ یَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَی اللّٰہِ أَنْ یُکَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الّتِیْ قَبْلَهُ وَالّتِیْ بَعْدَہُ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1162)
Translation: "Regarding the fast of the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah that it will expiate for the sins of the past year and the coming year."
Thus, fasting on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah) is a Sunnah.
(3) Observance of Prayer and Arrangement of Nawaafil
Prayer is the greatest and most virtuous act of worship. Therefore, it is obligatory for every Muslim to observe the obligatory prayers throughout the year, but it is especially important to pay attention to them during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and to perform a lot of Nawaafil, as Nawaafil are the best means to attain closeness to Allah.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(إِنَّ اللّٰہَ تَعَالیٰ قَالَ: مَنْ عَادیٰ لِیْ وَلِیًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَیَّ عَبْدِیْ بِشَیْئٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَیَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُهُ عَلَیْهِ، وَمَا یَزَالُ عَبْدِیْ یَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَیَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتّٰی أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ کُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِیْ یَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِیْ یُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَیَدَهُ الَّتِیْ یَبْطِشُ بِهَا، وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِیْ یَمْشِیْ بِهَا، وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِیْ لَأُعْطِیَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنِ اسْتَعَاذَنِیْ لَأُعِیْذَنَّهُ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:6502)
Translation: "Allah Almighty says: Whoever shows enmity towards one of My friends, I declare war against him. My servant draws closest to Me through those things that I have made obligatory upon him. And My servant continues to draw closer to Me through voluntary acts until I begin to love him. Then when I love him, I become his ear with which he hears, his eye with which he sees, his hand with which he grasps, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks Me, I surely grant him, and if he seeks My refuge, I surely provide him refuge."
Therefore, during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, one should strictly observe the obligatory prayers along with the performance of voluntary prayers, Tahajjud, Ishraq, and other supererogatory prayers.
(4) Abundantly remembering Allah
In these blessed days, one should frequently remember Allah, because these days have been specifically chosen for remembrance and worship.
It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(مَا مِنْ أَیَّامٍ أَعْظَمُ عِنْدَ اللّٰہِ وَلَا أَحَبُّ إِلَیْهِ الْعَمَلُ فِیْهِنَّ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَیَّامِ الْعَشْرِ، فَأَکْثِرُوا فِیْهِنَّ مِنَ التَّهْلِیْلِ وَالتَّکْبِیْرِ وَالتَّحْمِیْدِ)
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad:323/9,296/10 and Al-Arnaout said: Sahih)
Translation: “There is no day more esteemed and beloved to Allah than these ten days in which deeds are performed, so increase the recitation of La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, and Alhamdulillah during these days.”
The Virtue of Remembrance of Allah
❀ Allah Almighty says:
(یَقُوْلُ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی: أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِیْ بِیْ، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا ذَکَرَنِیْ، فَإِنْ ذَکَرَنِیْ فِیْ نَفْسِهِ ذَکَرْتُهُ فِیْ نَفْسِیْ، وَإِنْ ذَکَرَنِیْ فِیْ مَلَإٍ ذَکَرْتُهُ فِیْ مَلَإٍ خَیْرٍ مِّنْهُمْ...)
Reference: (Sahih Bukhari:7405, Sahih Muslim:2675)
Translation: “Allah Almighty says: I am as My servant thinks of Me, and when he remembers Me, I am with him. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart, and if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a better gathering...”
The Great Virtue of Tasbih
① The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(أَحَبُّ الْکَلاَمِ إِلَی اللّٰہِ تَعَالٰی أَرْبَعٌ... سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ، وَاللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2137)
Translation: "The most beloved words to Allah are four: Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar."
② The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(لَأَنْ أَقُوْلَ سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ... أَحَبُّ إِلَیَّ مِمَّا طَلَعَتْ عَلَیْهِ الشَّمْسُ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:2695)
Translation: "My saying Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar is more beloved to me than everything upon which the sun rises (i.e., more beloved than everything in the world)."
③ It is narrated from Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him):
(غِرَاسُهَا: سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ، وَاللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi:3462 and authenticated by Al-Albani)
Translation: "The land of Paradise is smooth and fertile, and its planting is done with Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar."
④ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَاللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ... إِلَّا کَفَّرَتْ عَنْهُ ذُنُوبَهُ وَلَوْ کَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi:3460 and graded good by Al-Albani)
Translation: "Whoever says these words, his sins are erased, even if they are as numerous as the foam of the sea."
⑤ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلّٰہِ وَسُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ... لَتُسَاقِطُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِ الْعَبْدِ کَمَا تَسَاقَطَ وَرَقُ هذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi:3533 and graded good by Al-Albani)
Translation: "These words wipe away a servant's sins just as the leaves of a tree fall."
The Importance of Saying Takbir
It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari:
(وَکَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ وَأَبُوهُرَیْرَةَ یَخْرُجَانِ إِلَی السُّوْقِ فِی أَیَّامِ الْعَشْرِ یُکَبِّرَانِ وَیُکَبِّرُ النَّاسُ بِتَکْبِیْرِهِمَا)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Translation: “Hazrat Ibn Umar and Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go to the market during the days of Dhul-Hijjah and say Takbir, and the people would also say Takbir upon hearing them.”
Words of Takbir:
(اَللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ اللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ، لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ، وَاللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ اللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰہِ الْحَمْدُ)
These Takbirs should be said individually; reading them collectively is not proven from the Sunnah.
(5) Giving Charity
Giving charity during the days of Dhul-Hijjah is also a highly virtuous act, as these days are abundant in righteous deeds, and charity is a greatly beloved act of worship in the sight of Allah.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خُلَّةٌ وَلَا شَفَٰعَةٌ ۗ وَٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ ﴿٢٥٤﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:254)
Translation: “O you who have believed! Spend from that which We have provided for you before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange [of money], nor will there be any friendship. And the disbelievers—they are the wrongdoers.”
Similarly, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(مَا نَقَصَتْ صَدَقَةٌ مِنْ مَالٍ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim)
Translation: “Charity does not decrease wealth.”
Therefore, especially during these blessed days, one should give as much charity as possible, so that the reward and blessings may increase and the pleasure of Allah may be attained.
The Legitimacy and Virtue of Sacrifice
At the end of the days of Dhul-Hijjah, a great act of worship is performed, which is sacrifice. Sacrifice is a means of attaining closeness to Allah Almighty and is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which he practiced every year.
Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) established the chapter "The Sunnah of Sacrifice" and narrated from Hazrat Bara (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا نَبْدَأُ بِهِ فِی یَوْمِنَا هَذَا نُصَلِّی، ثُمَّ نَرْجِعُ فَنَنْحَرُ، مَنْ فَعَلَهُ فَقَدْ أَصَابَ سُنَّتَنَا، وَمَنْ ذَبَحَ قَبْلُ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ لَحْمٌ قَدَّمَهُ لِأَهْلِهِ، لَیْسَ مِنَ النُّسُكِ فِی شَیْءٍ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:5545)
Translation: "On this day, we will first pray, then return and perform the sacrifice. Whoever does this has followed our Sunnah, and whoever slaughters before the prayer has merely presented meat for his family; it is not a sacrifice."
Sacrifice is not obligatory but a confirmed Sunnah
Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked whether sacrifice is obligatory. He replied:
(ضَحَّی رَسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ صلی اللہ علیه وسلم وَالْمُسْلِمُوْنَ)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi:1506 and said: The hadith is حسن صحیح)
Translation: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the Muslims performed the sacrifice."
Imam Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
(وَالْعَمَلُ عَلٰی هَذَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ أَنَّ الْأُضْحِیَةَ لَیْسَتْ وَاجِبَةً، وَلٰکِنَّهَا سُنَّةٌ...)
Translation: “According to the scholars, sacrifice is not obligatory but is a Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), which is recommended to practice.”
Warning for Abandoning Sacrifice
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(مَنْ وَجَدَ سَعَةً لِأَنْ یُضَحِّیَ فَلَمْ یُضَحِّ فَلَا یَحْضُرْ مُصَلَّانَا)
Reference: (Narrated by Al-Hakim, graded Hasan by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Targhib:1087)
Translation: “Whoever has the means but does not perform the sacrifice should not come near our place of prayer.”
Therefore, one who has the means should definitely perform the sacrifice.
◈ Issue Number ①
A person who intends to sacrifice should not cut their hair or nails after seeing the moon of Dhul-Hijjah.
It is narrated from Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her):
(مَنْ رَأی هِلَالَ ذِی الْحِجَّةِ وَأَرَادَ أَنْ یُّضَحِّیَ فَلَا یَأْخُذْ مِنْ شَعْرِهِ وَلَا مِنْ أَظْفَارِهِ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim:1977)
Translation: “Whoever sees the moon of Dhul-Hijjah and intends to sacrifice should not cut their hair or nails.”
◈ Issue Number ②
Sacrifice is only permissible with a camel, cow, sheep, or goat.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
﴿وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا لِّيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ﴾
Reference: (Al-Hajj 22:34)
Translation: “And for every nation, We have appointed a rite of sacrifice, that they may mention the name of Allah over the animals He has provided for them.”
◈ Issue Number ③
The sacrifice of a defective animal is not permissible.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(أَرْبَعٌ لَا تَجُوْزُ فِی الْأَضَاحِی: الْعَوْرَاءُ الْبَیِّنُ عَوَرُهَا، وَالْمَرِیضَةُ الْبَیِّنُ مَرَضُهَا، وَالْعَرْجَاءُ الْبَیِّنُ ظَلْعُهَا، وَالْکَسِیْرُ الَّتِی لَا تُنْقِی)
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood:2802, Sunan al-Tirmidhi:1497, and authenticated by Al-Albani)
Translation: “Four types of animals are not permissible for sacrifice: one that is clearly blind, one that is clearly sick, one that is clearly lame, and one that is extremely weak with no marrow in its bones.”
◈ Issue Number ④
The time for sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer.
(مَنْ ضَحَّی قَبْلَ الصَّلَاۃِ فَإِنَّمَا ذَبَحَ لِنَفْسِهِ، وَمَنْ ذَبَحَ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاۃِ فَقَدْ تَمَّ نُسُکُهُ وَأَصَابَ سُنَّةَ الْمُسْلِمِیْنَ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari:5556, Sahih Muslim:1961)
Translation: “Whoever slaughters before the prayer has slaughtered for himself, and whoever slaughters after the prayer has completed his sacrifice and has followed the Sunnah of the Muslims.”
◈ Issue Number ⑤
One goat is sufficient for the entire family.
(کَانَ الرَّجُلُ یُضَحِّی بِالشَّاۃِ عَنْهُ وَعَنْ أَهْلِ بَیْتِهِ)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi:1505, and authenticated by Al-Albani)
Translation: “A person would sacrifice one goat on behalf of himself and his family.”
◈ Issue Number ⑥
Seven individuals can share in a cow, and seven or ten individuals can share in a camel.
(کُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم... فَاشْتَرَکْنَا فِی الْبَقَرَةِ سَبْعَةً وَفِی الْبَعِیْرِ عَشَرَةً)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi:1501, and authenticated by Al-Albani)
Translation: “We shared in the sacrifice of a cow with seven individuals and a camel with ten individuals.”
Conclusion
Allah Almighty has made the days of Dhul-Hijjah a special opportunity for His servants for forgiveness, great rewards, and closeness to Him. Whoever worships sincerely during these days will certainly be deserving of Allah Almighty's special mercies and blessings. We should value these days by following the way of the righteous predecessors and perform all the prescribed acts, including sacrifice, purely for the sake of Allah Almighty's pleasure.
May Allah Almighty grant us all the ability to truly value the days of Dhul-Hijjah and worship sincerely. Ameen.
