‘As-Sunnah’ Issue no: 10
Submitted by Brother
Abdul Majîd Alî Hasan
| “Turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice to Him alone.” (Sûrah al-Kauthar (108):2) |
Udhiyah (sacrifice) is among the great rituals of Islâm, which signify the
Oneness of Allâh, His Blessings, and Bounties. It reminds us the
exemplary obedience of our father, Ibrahîm (alaihi as-salâm), to His
Lord and his great sacrifices to Him. Udhiyah encompasses much goodness
and blessings and thus acquires a great deal of importance in the lives
of Muslims.
| “And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they may mention the Name of Allâh over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food. And your God is One God, so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islâm)” [Sûrah al-Hajj (22): 34] |
| “Say (O Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wa-sallam)): ‘Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” [Sûrah al-An’âm (6): 162] |
| “Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).” [Sûrah al-Kawthar 108:2] |
| “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
“Whoever so in the name of Allâh.” [Sahîh Muslim vol. 3, no: 4818-21] |
and:
| “Whoever can afford to offer a sacrifice but does not do so, let him not approach our place or prayer.” |
[Musnad Ahmad and Ibn Majah. (Sahîh) by al-Hâkim (from Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu)), it is related in Fath al-Barî that its men are thiqât. This Hadîth is declared Hasan (Good) by Shaikh al-Albanî in Sahîh Sunan Ibn Majah v: 2, no: 2532-1323]
Those who assert to the second opinion, i.e. Udhiyah is a confirmed Sunnah (meaning Sunnah mu’akkadah) are the better-known opinion of Mâlik and Imâm Ahmad, and the mathhab of al-Shâfa’î. It should be mentioned here that majority of the scholars uphold this view, and they state it Makrûh (disliked) to neglect this act of worship, if one has the capability to perform a sacrifice. [Rasâ’il Fiqhiyyah by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymîn, p. 46]
This opinion is based on the following Ahâdîth. Jâbir (radhi allahu
anhu), narrated:
| “I prayed on Eid al-Adha with the Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), and when he finished (the prayer), he was brought one ram, and he sacrificed it. He said: “In the Name of |
[Awnul M’abûd Sharh Sunan Abî Dâwûd by Muhammad Shams al-Haq ‘Adhîm Âbâdi, vol. 8, pp. 3-6] and the Hadîth reported by all the famous Muhaddithîn apart
from al-Bukharî that the Messenger of Allâh (radhi allahu anhu) said:
“Whoever
among you wants to offer a sacrifice, let him not take anything from
his hair or nails.”
[Sahîh Muslim vol. 3 nos. 4869-73]
Conclusion:
Shaikh Ibn Uthaymîn
(rahimahullah) following his discussion of those who say it is
obligatory and those who say it is a Sunnah said,
| “Each point of view has its evidence. It is safe for the one who is able to offer a sacrifice should not neglect to do so, because of what is involved in this act of reverence towards Allâh, remembering Him, and making sure that one has nothing to be blamed for.” |
The Principle of Udhiyah
The basic rule of Udhiyah is that sacrifice is required at an appointed time from one who is alive, on behalf on himself and on behalf of his household. He may also include in the reward all those whom he wishes,
dead or alive.
It is from the Sunnah that one includes his household living and dead
in his Udhiyah. So, when he slaughters his sheep, he should say, “Allâhumma
hâtha ‘annî wa ‘an ahli baytî” meaning “O Allâh! This is on my
behalf and on behalf of my family members.”
It is from the virtues of Udhiyah that one animal is sufficient for one
man and his family; he is not required to make separate sacrifices on
behalf of every member (living or dead). Narrated Abu Ayyub:
| “At the time of Allâh’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), a man would sacrifice a sheep on behalf of himself and the members of his household, and they would eat from it and give some to others.” [Sunan |
With regards to Udhiyah of a deceased person, if he has bequeathed up to one third
of his wealth for the purpose of sacrifice or included it in his waqf
(endowment), then his wishes must be carried out. Otherwise, offering
sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is a good deed and it is considered
to be giving charity on behalf of the dead.
Animals prescribed for Udhiyah are camels, cattle and sheep. With regards to sharing a sacrifice, then a camel or a cow can be shared by seven people, this is based on
the narration of Jabir (radhi allahu anhu), who said:
| “The Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) commanded us to share camels and cattle, each seven men sharing one animal.” [Sahîh Muslim v: 2, p. 662, no. 3024] |
If a sheep, a goat or a ram is offered for Udhiyah, then
sharing is not allowed, since no evidence is found in the Sunnah for
it.
It should be mentioned here that the scholars agree that sacrificing an
animal and giving its meat in charity is better than giving its value
in charity. The Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) chose
to perform sacrifice and he did not do anything but that which is best
and most befitting. This is the opinion of Abu Hanîfah, al-Shâfa’i
and Ahmad. This refutes the saying of those who say that today people
need money more than they need food, therefore it is better to give the
money rather then sacrifice an animal.
From the conditions of Udhiyah is that the animal offered for sacrifice must have
reached the required age, which is six months for a lamb, one year for
a goat, two years for a cow and five years for a camel. The animal
should be completely free of any faults because sacrifice is an act of
worship and Allâh is Tayyib and He only accepts that which is Tayyib.
The Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
| “There are four that will not be accepted for sacrifice: a one-eyed animal whose defect is obvious, a sick animal whose sickness is obvious, a lame animal whose limp is obvious and an emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones.” [(Sahîh) by Shaikh al-Albanî in Sahîh al-Jamî no. 886] |
Milder defects do not disqualify an animal, but it is Makrûh to sacrifice such animals, for e.g. animal with a horn or ear missing, or an animal with slits in its ears,
etc. Whoever honors the rites of Allâh, this has to do with the Taqwa
(piety and righteousness) of his heart.
The Sacrificial animal is not for sale. It is forbidden to sell the animal chosen for
sacrifice, except for a better exchange. If it gives birth to an
offspring, the offspring must be sacrificed along with it. It is
permissible to ride the animal. Narrated Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu
anhu), the Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saw a man
leading his camel. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
it.”
The man replied: “It (the animal) is for sacrifice.” The
Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
A second or a third time.” [Sahîh Muslim vol: 2, no: 3046]
Prescribed time for sacrifice
The animal can be sacrificed after the Eid prayer and the Khutbah (not
when the Khutbah or the prayer starts) until before the sunset of the
last day of Tashrîq, which is 13th Dhul-Hijjah. The Messenger of Allâh
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
| “Whoever sacrifices before the prayer, let him repeat it.” [Sahîh Muslim vol: 3, p. 1084, no: 4818] |
It is related from Ali (radiyaAllahu ‘anhu):
| “The days of Nahr (sacrifice) are the day of al-Adha and the three days following it.” |
This is also
the opinion of al-Hasan al-Basrî, Atâ Ibn Abi Rabâh, al-Awzâ’î,
al-Shâfi’e and Ibn al-Munthir (rahimahullahum ajma’îm)
Slaughtering the animal with one’s own hands is better, but if one does not do so, it is
Mustahabb (liked, preferable) for him to be present at the time of
slaughtering. Anas (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allâh’s Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) sacrificed with his own hands, two horned
rams with black markings, reciting the name of Allâh and glorifying Him
(saying Allâhu-Akbar). He placed his foot on their sides (while
sacrificing). [Sahîh Muslim: vol. 3, p. 1087, no: 4841]
Eating from one’s
sacrifice is Mustahabb (liked, preferable). It is also Mustahabb for him, who
performs a Udhiyah, not to eat before he offers his sacrifice; he
should break his fast with the meat of his sacrifice the prayer. The
Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam):
| “Let every man eat from his sacrifice.” [(Sahîh) by Shaikh al-Albanî in Sahîh a-Jamî no: 5349] |
Buraidah (radhi allahu anhu) reported:
| “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) would not go out on the day of breaking the fast (Eid al-Fitr) until he had eaten and on the day of sacrifice (Eid al Adha) he would not eat until he had returned [from Salât]” This is related by at-Tirmidhî and Ibn Majah and also by Sunan Ad-Dâramî who added: “And he would eat from his sacrifice.” [Sharah as-Sunnah, vol. 4, p. 306, footnote no: 1. Shaikh al-Albane said, its isnâd is Sahîh, al-Mishkât, vol: 1, p. 452, no: 1440] |
Dividing the meat into three is Mustahabb (liked, preferable), one-third to keep for oneself, one-third to be given as gifts and one-third to be given in charity.
This was the opinion of Ibn Mas’ûd (radhi allahu anhu) and Ibn Umar t.
[(Sahîh) by Shaikh al-Albanî in Sunan Ibn Majah vol: 2, p: 203, no:
2546]
Selling any part of the sacrificed animal is prohibited
Scholars agree that it is not permissible to sell anything from the sacrificed animal’s meat, skin or fat. The Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
| “Whoever sells the skin of his Udhiyah, there is no Udhiyah for him (i.e. his sacrifice is not counted).” [(Hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanî in Sahîh al-Jamî, no: 6118] |
The butcher should not be given anything from the sacrifice, by way of reward or payment. Ali (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
| “The Messenger of Allâh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) commanded me to take care of the sacrifice and to give its meat, skin and raiment (covering used for protection) in charity, and not to give anything of it to the butcher as a compensation. He said: ‘We will give him something from what we have.'” [(Agreed upon). Sahîh Muslim, vol: 2, no: 3019] |
| “It was said that it is permissible to give the butcher something as a gift. It is also permissible to give some of it to a Kafir, if he is poor or a relative or a neighbor, in order to open his heart to Islam.” [Fatawa Shaikh Abd al-Azîz Ibn Bâz] |
| “IF ANY OF YOU WANTS TO OFFER UDHIYAH…” |
Umm Salamah (radhi allahu anha) related that the Prophet Muhammad
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
| “If you see the Hilâl (new moon) of Dhul-Hijjah, and any one of you wants to make a sacrifice, then he should not cut (anything) from his hair and his nails.” |
and in one
narration he said:
| “…then he should not take (cut) anything from his hair, nor from his nails, until he performs the sacrifice.” [Sahîh Muslim] |
These instructions of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) are
unconditional, and unavoidable because his instructions constitute to
obligation and his prohibition signifies Harâm. Therefore, anyone who
does any of the above-mentioned acts deliberately then he should seek
forgiveness from Allâh, but there is no report for any compensation.
If the hairs or nails cause harm to a person, like a broken nail, or a hair on the place of wound, then he is permitted to cut it. It should be mentioned here that both
men and women can wash their hairs, because the Messenger of Allâh
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) only forbade cutting of the hairs and not
washing them. There is no harm in washing the head, or scratching it,
even if some hairs may fall out.
It is incorrect to assign someone else to perform the sacrifice for the sake of cutting
hairs and nails. This practice is completely wrong because the ruling
applies to the one who offers the sacrifice, whether or not he
sacrifices with his own hands. The person who is delegated to sacrifice
on behalf of someone else does not have to abide by this ruling. Also,
this ruling applies only to the one who slaughters a sacrifice and not
on the whole family, unless if separate Udhiyah is slaughtered for
everyone. Allâh’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to offer
sacrifice and include all his family members but no report is found
saying that he forbade his family members to cut hairs or nails.
If a person cuts his
hairs or nails because he did not intend to perform a sacrifice and then later
decides to slaughter an Udhiyah (in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah), then he should
refrain from cutting them from the time he intends to perform a sacrifice. In the case, when a person does not intend to perform a sacrifice but he later plans to perform Hajj, then he should also not cut his nails or hairs because the cutting is only permitted in times of necessity. But if he is performing Hajj Tamattu (a form of Hajj,
whereby the Hajj and Umrah are combined but separate Ihrâm is made for
Umrah and a new Ihrâm is made for the Hajj), then he should trim his
hairs after the Umrah because it is a part of the ritual.
Scholars mention that the wisdom behind this prohibition is so that he may resemble those in Ihrâm in some aspects of the rituals and the one who sacrifice may
draw nearer to Allâh by offering his sacrifice. “…and do not shave
your heads until the Hadî (sacrifice) reaches the place of
sacrifice…” Therefore, he leaves his hairs and nails along until the
time when he offers his sacrifice in hope that Allâh will save him form
the Fire. And Allâh knows best.
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