Chapter 03 - Sacrifices on Idul-Adha

1387. Anas bin Malik   narrated, “The Messenger of Allah  used to sacrifice two two-horned rams, mention Allah's name and say the Takbir (Allahu Akbar or Allah is the Most Great), and place his foot on their sides.' In another version, 'He slaughtered them with his own hands.' Another version has, 'Two fat rams,' and another has, 'two precious rams.' Agreed upon. In a version by Muslim, 'and would say Bismillah. and  Allahu Akbar. '







1388. Muslim has also reported on the authority of 'Aishah "Allah's Messenger   ordered a horned ram with black legs, a black belly and black around its eyes, and it was brought for him to sacrifice and he said to Aishah “A'ishah, get the knife." Then he said, "Sharpen it with a stone." When she had done so he took it, then taking it (the ram) he placed it on the ground and slaughtered it. He then said, "Bismillah (In the name of Allah), 0 Allah, accept it from Muhammad, Muhammad’s family and from Muhammad's Ummah (followers)." Then he sacrificed it.'






1389. Abu Hurairah   narrated that Allah's Messenger   said, "He who can afford it but did not offer a sacrifice must not come near our place of prayer." (418) Related by Ahmad and Ibn Majah. Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih. Other Imams said that it is Mawquf(i.e. it is not connected to the Prophet )

418. Offering a sacrifice is not obligatory, but it is a confirmed Sunnah, which was always practiced by the Prophet







1390. Jundub bin Sufian  narrated,'I witnessed (the prayer of) Idul Adha with the Messenger of Allah  and when he finished his prayer with the people, he looked at a sheep which had been sacrificed, so he said, "Anyone who has sacrificed before the prayer must sacrifice another goat instead (of the one which he slaughtered before the prayer) and if anyone has not sacrificed he should do so in Allah’s Name.' (419) Agreed upon.

419. This Hadith is evidence that if an animal is slaughtered before the 'Eid prayer, then it is not considered a sacrifice and will not get the reward as such, it is rather considered as a charity to be given to the poor. The proper sacrifice must, be slaughtered after the prayer, which is why the Messenger of Allah   told them to sacrifice another one.







1391. AI-Bara' bin 'Azib   narrated Allah's Messenger  stood among us and said, "There are four types of sacrificial animals, which are not permitted: A one-eyed animal which has obviously lost the sight of one eye, a sick animal which is obviously sick, a lame animal which obviously limps, and an old animal which has no marrow." Related by Ahmad and the four Imams. At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban graded it as Sahih.


1392. Jabir   narrated that Allah's Messenger   said “Sacrifice only a full-grown animal unless it is difficult for you, in which case you should sacrifice a (six to ten month old) sheep." Reported by Muslim.







1393. 'Ali   narrated, 'Allah's Messenger   enjoined us to pay great attention to the eye and the ear, and not sacrifice a one-eyed animal, or an animal with a slit which leaves something hanging at the front or back of the ear, or with a perforation in the ear, or an animal with broken front teeth.' Related by Ahmad and the four Imams. At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim graded it as  Sahih.







1394. 'Ali bin Abi Talib   narrated, 'The Messenger of Allah   appointed me to be in charge of his sacrificial animals, and commanded me to distribute all their meat, hides, and saddlery to the poor, and not to give anything from them to the butcher.' (420) Agreed upon

420. It is prohibited to give the butcher his wages in the form of some meat of the sacrificed animal, unless he does not take it willingly.







1395. Jabir   narrated, 'In the year of Hudaibiyah (Reconciliation), we sacrificed a camel for each seven people along with Allah's Messenger , and also a cow for seven. 'Related by Muslim.