This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Farooq Rafi Sahib's book Qurbani, Aqiqah, and Ashra Zil-Hijjah.
Undoubtedly, the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah is the best day for Qurbani, because it falls within the early days of the Ashra of Dhu al-Hijjah, and in terms of the excellence of righteous deeds and their acceptance by Allah, the early days of Dhu al-Hijjah are superior to the remaining days. Moreover, the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was to perform Qurbani on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah. Therefore, slaughtering an animal on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah is preferable and brings greater reward.
Evidence:
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
ما العمل فى أي¥ام العشر أفضل منها فى هذه، قالوا: ولا الجهاد؟ قال: ولا الجهاد، إلا رجل خرج يخاطر بنفسه وماله فلم يرجع بشيء
"The deeds of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are not surpassed by the deeds of the other days (meaning the deeds of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are superior to those of the other days). The Companions رضي الله عنهم asked: 'Is Jihad on the other days also not superior to the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah?' The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 'Jihad on the other days is also not superior to the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, except for the one who goes out (for Jihad in the cause of Allah) and risks his life and wealth, then does not return with anything (from his life or wealth). This act is superior to the deeds of the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and the other days.'"
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of the Two Eids, Chapter on the Virtue of Deeds in the Days of Tashreeq: 969 - Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Fasting the Ten Days: 2438 - Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Book of Fasting, Chapter on What Has Been Related About Deeds in the Ten Days: 757 - Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Fasting the Ten Days: 1727
② Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Qurt رضي الله عنه reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
إن أعظم الأيام عند الله يوم النحر ثم يوم القر
"The greatest day in the sight of Allah is the Day of Sacrifice (the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah), then the day after the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah (the eleventh of Dhu al-Hijjah)."
Reference: Sahih: Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Pilgrimage, Chapter: 1765 - Musnad Ahmad: 350/4 - Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 2917 - Mustadrak Hakim: 221/4 - Sunan Bayhaqi: 241/5
Benefits:
① The hadiths of this chapter are evidence that sacrificing on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah is preferable, because the day of the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah is included in the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and is the greatest day in the sight of Allah Almighty among all days. Therefore, performing all righteous deeds including sacrifice on this day is also preferable.
② After the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, sacrificing on the eleventh of Dhu al-Hijjah is preferable.
③ It is also established from the Noble Prophet ﷺ that he sacrificed on the day of the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, so the action of the Prophet ﷺ also indicates the virtue and recommendation of sacrificing on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah.
① Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يذبح وينحر بالمصلى
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to slaughter animals and sacrifice camels on the day of Eid al-Adha (in the Eidgah)."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter on Sacrifices and Slaughtering at the Musalla: 5552 - Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter on the Imam Slaughtering at the Musalla: 2811, Sunan an-Nasa'i, Chapters of Eid Prayers, Chapter on the Imam Slaughtering on Eid Day: 1590, Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter on Slaughtering at the Musalla: 3161
② Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما narrates:
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صلى للناس يوم النحر، فلما فرغ من خطبته وصلاته ضحى بكبش فذبحه بنفسه
"Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ led the people in the Eid prayer on the day of Eid al-Adha, then when he finished the sermon and prayer, he ﷺ himself slaughtered a ram with his own hand."
Reference: Hasan: Mustadrak Hakim: 229/4. Sunan Bayhaqi: 264/9
