Is It Better to Sacrifice on the First Day or Are All Three Days Equal?
Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 175
Question:
Among the three days of Eid al-Adha, is offering the sacrifice on the first day more virtuous, or is the reward equal on all days?
Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, on the Day of Eid al-Adha, said:
“Today we will first offer the prayer, then perform the sacrifices.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Two Eids, Chapter: The Sunnah of Eid for the People of Islam, Hadith 951; Sahih Muslim, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter 1, Hadith 1961)
From this noble Hadith, it is clear that the Prophet ﷺ performed his sacrifice on the first day (10th Dhul-Hijjah). Therefore, among the three days of Eid al-Adha, the first day is the most virtuous and preferred for sacrifice.
Other Days
Sacrificing on the remaining two days — 11th and 12th Dhul-Hijjah — is also valid and rewarding. However, the virtue of the first day remains greater.
Opinion of the Companions
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) said:
“After the Day of Nahr, there are two days for sacrifice, and the best sacrifice is on the Day of Nahr (first day).”
Summary:
◈ All three days (10th, 11th, 12th Dhul-Hijjah) are valid for Qurbani and are rewarding.
◈ The first day (10th Dhul-Hijjah) is the most virtuous and carries the highest reward.
◈ This preference is based on the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and the guidance of the Companions.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
