Udhiya - Sacrifices on 'Eid Al-Adha

                                                  

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم
In the Name of Allah,
the the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.




Sacrifices are the livestock slaughtered in worship of Allah Most High
between 'Eid al-Adha and the last of the three days that follow it. They
are a general hospitality from Allah to believers (to whom the meat is
distributed. It is Haraam (unlawful) to give any of it to non-Muslims.

Eid al-Adha sacrifices are a confirmed Sunnah (mu'akkadah)
(being sunnah for those able to slaughter, though uncalled-for from
the poor person who is unable). (which is considered obligatory in
the Hanafi school)

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ          
Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)
                                                 Surah Kauthar (108) : 2

Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم made udhiya with two male sheep (Ram)
beautiful with horns (huge). He slaughtered t hem with his own 
hands. He recited Thakbir (Allahu Akbar) and he put his foot
on the side of their necks (when slaughtering).
                                                    (Bukhari and Muslim) 


It is recommended for someone who intends to sacrifice not to ;
cut his hair or trim his nails from the 1st Dhul Hijj until he slaughters
(these being offensive until he does).

Ummu Salamah رضى الله عنها says that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم
said ''A person who has an animal and intends to offer a sacrifice
then, when the crescent is sighted for Dhul Hijj, he should not
have his hair cut and his nails clipped until he sacrifice it.
                                                                       (Muslim)

The Time for slaughtering ;

begins when it is long enough after sunrise to have performed the 'Eid 
prayer with its two sermons (kuthba) (about forty minutes) ( even if one 
does not attend it) and it ends at (sunset on) the last of the three days 
following the 'Eid.

The best time - for Udhiya is after completion of 'Eid prayer (on the 
10th of Dhul Hijj before Zawal).


Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said to Fathima رضى الله عنها stand to
your udhiya and witness it because the first drop of blood that falls
from it causes all your past sins to be forgiven. She asked oh
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم  is this especially for us the Ahlul Baith
or for us and the general Muslims ? Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said
for us and the general Muslim.                  (Al Hakim, Sahih Sanad)

Sacrifice Animal Specifications

Only camels, cattle, sheep, or goats may be slaughtered. At the youngest,
camels must be over five full years, cattle and goats over two full years, 
and sheep over one full year.

A single camel or cow fulfills the sunnah for seven ( men and their families),
though a shah ( meaning either a one-year-old sheep in its second year or 
a two-year-old goat in its third year) only fulfills it for one. It is superior to
slaughter a single shah than to have a share in slaughtering a camel.

The best animal to sacrifice is a camel, then a cow, then a sheep, and then
a goat. The best kind of shah to slaughter is white, then tawny-colored, 
then black and white, and then a black one.

It is a necessary condition that a sacrifice animal be free of defects that
diminish ( the quality of) its meat. It is invalid to slaughter :

(1)  a lame animal (that has an obvious walking problem that hinders its
going to pasture and thus weakens it);

(2)  a blind or one-eyed animal (whose defects is manifest, as this
diminishes its ability to graze);

(3)  a sick animal (whose infirmity is plain);

(though if these defects are slight, the animal will suffice. It is likewise
invalid to sacrifice an animal that is :)

(4)  deranged by malnutrition or insane ;

(5)  mangy or scabrous (even when it is not obvious);

(6)  with an ear that has been cut off or a piece of it separated, even
if not much ( or one born without an ear);

(7) or missing a considerable part of the haunch or similar meat-bearing
portion (though not if it is a slight amount).

It is permissible to sacrifice an animal with a slit in its ear ( a measure for 
identification that does not diminish the meat) or one with part or all of a 
horn broken of.

Barah ibn Azib رضى الله عنه reports that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said
an animal which has these four qualities are not sufficient in udhiya.
1) one-eyed animal who's blindness is evident,
2) the sick who's sickness is apparent,
3) the cripple who's crippleness is evident,
4) lean who has no marrow.
                                           ( Tirmizi,Abu Dawood)   
    
Having another slaughter for one

It is best to slaughter the animal oneself ( if one can slaughter well. If not,
then it is obligatory to have someone who can slaughter properly do it for
one).  If unable to slaughter well, it is recommended to be present when
it is done.

The Intention

The intention to sacrifice must be made at the time of slaughtering. (It 
suffices the person who is having another slaughter for him to make 
the intention when he authorize the other to do so.)

Ayesha  رضى الله عنها relates that no amal (deeds) of a person is loved
more by Allah Ta'ala on the day of Nahr ( the day of sacrifice on the10th,
'Eid day ) than the shedding of blood. Indeed it will be brought on the day
of Qiyamah with  its hands, hooves, fur and claws and surely the blood will
fall by Allah Ta'ala in a place before it falls or reaches the ground (place of
acceptance). So do with a happy heart (with pleasure).
                                                               (Tirmizi and Ibn Majah)

Distributing the Meat

It is recommended that a third of the animal sacrificed be eaten, a third
be given away (even if to wealthy Muslims), and a third be given as charity
(raw, not cooked).


It is obligatory to give away some of the (raw) meat as charity, even if it
is not much ( it suffice to give it to one Muslim), and the hide is given in
charity or used at home.

The Nabi  صلى الله عليه وسلم said whoever sells the skin of the udhiya 
then there is no udhiya for him (meaning no reward).
                                                                                ( Baihaqi)

 It is not permissible to sell the hide or meat ( all of the above apply
to sunnah or voluntary sacrifices) It is not permissible for a person
who has vowed a sacrifice to eat any of the animal slaughtered.


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