The 'Eed Offering

Vol.4 No.7 March 1997- Dhul Qa'dah 1417AH

The 'Eed Offering

By: Muhammad al-Jibaly from

" Celebrations in Islam "

Introduction:

Definition:

One of the important acts of worship on 'Eed ul-Adhhaa and the subsequent three days is the udhhiyah (sacrifice). The udhhiyah or dhahiyyah refers to the camels and cattle (cows, sheep, and goats) that are slaughtered on the day of an-Nahr and the days of Tashreeq as a sacrificial offering to Allaah (SWT). It is derived from dhahwah(mid-morning), the beginning of the time period in which it is performed.

Merit and Importance:

Allaah (SWT) mentioned the sacrifice together with the first and foremost worship in Islaam: the prayer. This is a clear indication of its great importance. Thus He ordered His Messenger to slaughter the sacrifices by saying:{ "...Pray Unto Your Lord and slaughter your sacrifice.."}¹

And Allaah (SWT) said: {" Say: my salaah (prayer), sacrifice, life, and death are for Allaah the Lord of the people. He has no partners; with this I have been commanded and I am the first of the Muslims."} ²

Ruling:

The general consensus of the Muslim scholars is that the udhhiyah is an important Sunnah, and worship called for in the Law of Allaah (SWT). However, they differ as to whether it is nafl (voluntary) or waajib (mandatory) for those who can afford it. The opinion that it is waajib is more correct based on the following evidence.

The Messenger (SAW) prevented capable people who chose not to sacrifice from offering the 'Eed prayer with him. He would not do this unless they have neglected a waajib act. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said: [" He who has the capacity to sacrifice, but chooses not to, may not approach our prayer place on Eed." ]³.

Regarding this hadeeth, Imaam ash-Shawkaanee (RH) said: "Prohibiting the one who could afford to sacrifice, but did not do so, from approaching the musallaa indicates that he must have left off a waajib, as it becomes useless to offer the salaah without this waajib⁴

Jundub Bin Abdillaah al- Bujalee (RA) narrated that he witnessed the Adhhaa with Allaah's Messenger(SAW). As soon as he (SAW) completed his 'Eed prayer, he noticed that some sacrifices had already been slaughtered before he finished his prayer. So he said:

[" For those who have slaughtered their sacrifice before we prayed, let them slaughter other ones instead. And those who have not slaughtered yet, let them do so now, in the Name of Allah." ]⁵

This command from the Prophet (SAW) indicates the wujoob (obligation) of the sacrifice. Also, Makhnaf Bin Sulaym (RA) narrated that Allaah's Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "Every household is required to offer a sacrifice every year,..."]⁶

As indicated earlier, some scholars take the position that the sacrifice is not obligatory, but is only recommended for those who can afford it. The basis for that opinion is that some of the Sahaabah, including Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) did not consider it waajib⁷. They also rely on the hadeeth of Jaabir (RA) who reported, "After the khutbah, Allaah's Messenger (SAW) sacrificed a ram with his own hand, saying:

[ "Bismillaah, wallaahu Akbar (in the Name of Allaah; Allaah is the Greatest); this is for me and for those of my Ummah (nation) who did not sacrifice."]⁸

However, in the light of the above evidence this hadeeth should be understood to apply only to those who did not have the ability to sacrifice. This demonstrates the mercy of Allaah (SWT) who did not want to prevent the reward for those who are financially incapable. They also rely on the hadeeth of Umm Salamah (RA) in the next section. That hadeeth links the sacrifice to the will or intention of the Muslim, which may imply that it is optional and not waajib. However, this argument is not strong enough to refute the preceding evidence⁹, especially when one looks at the following aayah that attaches an obligation (following the Straight Path) to the will of a person:

{ "For those of you who will to follow the Straight Path." }¹⁰

Regulations for the Person Offering Sacrifice:

Good Earning:

As in the case for any charity that one does with the hope of pleasing Allaah(SWT) one should make sure that his earnings and the money with which he purchases the sacrifice are good, otherwise the sacrifice would not be accepted, because;

[ Allaah(SWT) is Tayyib (Good) and accepts only that which is tayyib.. ]¹¹

Avoid Cutting Hair or Nails:

The one who plans to sacrifice (normally the head of the household) is prohibited to cut his hair or nails from the first of Thul-Hijjah until he offers the sacrifice. Umm Salamah (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:

[ " For the one who has a slaughtering to perform (on Eed) then, once the hilaal (crescent) of Thul-Hijjah is observed, let him not cut any of his hair or nails until he sacrifices." ]

And another narration:

[ "Once the Ten days start, for those of you who have the intention to sacrifice, let them not cut any of their hair or nails until they sacrifice.." ]¹²

This prohibition is the opinion of the majority of the scholars of the Righteous Predecessors. It includes pulling or burning the hair of the head, the armpits, the mustaches or the pubic hair.

Time and Place:

The time of slaughtering the sacrifice starts after the 'Eed salaah. Anything slaughtered before that is not acceptable as an udhhiyah. Anas (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "He who slaughtered before the prayer (of 'Eed) has only slaughtered (normal meat) for his house, and should slaughter again. But the one who did it after the prayer has indeed completed his sacrifice and conformed to the Sunnah of the Muslims." ]¹³

And al-Baraa reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "The first thing that we do on this day (al-Adhhaa) is to pray. Then we go to slaughter. The one who does this has indeed complied with our Sunnah; but the one who slaughtered earlier had only offered some meat for his family, and it does not count as a sacrifice." ]¹⁴

This time extends through the days of Tashreeq until the sunset of the third day after 'Id ul-Adhha. Jubayr Bin Mut'im (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "All the days of Tasreeq are slaughtering days." ]¹⁵

Place of the Sacrifice:

It is recommended to slaughter the animal at the musallaa (grounds where the 'Eed prayer is performed), as the Prophet (SAW) did so.¹⁶ However, for those performing Hajj, they slaughter wherever they reside in Minaa, as he (SAW) said:

[ "I have slaughtered here, but all of Minna is a place for slaughtering; and all the mountain passes of Makkah are permissible pathways and places for slaughtering. So slaughter wherever you reside." ]¹⁷

Animals that May be Sacrificed:

There are various animals that can be used as sacrifice. Allah's Messenger (SAW) and his companions(RA) sacrificed camels and cattle (cows, sheep, and goats). Allaah's Messenger (SAW) slaughtered sixty three she-camels on the day of Sacrifice (i.e. al-Adhhaa ).¹⁸ Also, Allaah's Messenger (SAW) sacrificed a cow on behalf of his wives; and he sacrificed two white rams.¹⁹

One Goat for the Household:

A man can sacrifice one goat for himself and his household. Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaaree (RA) was asked about the sacrifice during the time of the Messenger (SAW), and he said: "During the time of the Prophet (SAW) one man used to sacrifice a goat for himself and his household. They used to eat and feed other people. Later on, people started to boast in their sacrifice as you see now." ²⁰

Sharing Larger Animals:

Seven households can share in a cow or a camel. Allaah's Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "One cow covers seven people, and one camel covers seven people (as a sacrifice)." ]²¹

Healthy and Good Looking Animals:

Being a worship and an offering to Allaah, the sacrifice should be the best animal that one can find and afford. The Prophet (SAW) used to choose for his sacrifice good-looking animals that have no defects. The best kind of animals to sacrifice would be a white ram with horns, with blackness around the eyes and in its legs. This is the description of the animals that the Prophet (SAW) liked and sacrificed.²²

Unacceptable Defects:

The sacrifice should not have an obvious defect of the following: one-eyed, sick, limping, or very thin. Al-Baraa' Bin Aazib (RA) reported that Allaah's Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "Four animals are not allowed for udhhiyah: that which is obviously sick, that which is obviously limping, and that which is very thin such that it does not have marrow in its bones." ]²³

Also Ali (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) did not allow sacrificing an animal whose ear was cut from the front or the back or center. ²⁴

Castrated Animals:

It is permissible to sacrifice a castrated animal. Abu Raafi (RA) narrated that the Messenger (SAW) sacrificed two white castrated rams.

Age of the Sacrifice:

The Prophet (SAW) encouraged his companions to sacrifice full-grown animals. But he permitted sacrificing the young sheep. Uqbah Bin Aamir (RA) narrated that the Messenger (SAW) divided sacrificial animals among the Companions (after a battle), and his share was a young sheep. He complained about this (fearing that it may not be acceptable as a sacrifice) saying: "O Allaah's Messenger (SAW)! I have only gotten a young sheep." He said, "Sacrifice it.!"²⁶

Also, Mujaashi (RA) narrated that the Messenger (SAW) said: "A young sheep is as acceptable as a full-grown goat."²⁷

These and other authentic hadeeth indicate the following regarding the acceptable age for the sacrifice:

Camels, cows and goat should be thaniyy (full grown) or older.
Sheep can be jatha (young) or older.

Color of the Sacrifice:

White animals with some darkness are preferable over black ones for sacrifice. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "The blood of an unclear-white goat is more beloved by Allaah than that of two black ones." ]³⁰

Manner of Conducting the Sacrifice:

Mercy to Animals:

One has to sharpen his knife very well before approaching the animal that he intends to slaughter. Then he should kill it quickly without extending its suffering. Shaddaad Bin Aws (RA) narrated that the Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "Allaah has prescribed excellence in all matters. So even when you kill, do it in a good way. And when you slaughter, do it in a good way. Let the one of you sharpen his blade and put his slaughtered animal to rest (by being quick)" ]³¹

Method of Slaughtering the Sacrifice:

Anas (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (SAW) sacrificed two white rams with large horns. He slaughtered them himself, putting his foot on the side of the neck, and saying:

[ "Bismillaah, wallaahu Akbar (in the Name of Allaah; Allaah is the Greatest.)" ]³²

And Aa'ishah narrated: "Allaah's Messenger (saw) ordered a ram with horns, and black legs and eyes. When it was brought before him he said to me: "O Aa'isshah, give me the knife." Then he said: "Sharpen it against a stone." Which I did, then he took it, laid down the ram, and slaughtered it saying:

[ "Bismillaah. O Allaah, accept from Muhammad, Muhammad's family and Muhammad's Ummah." ]³³ And thus he sacrificed it."³⁴

These hadeeths indicate that sheep are not slaughtered while standing or sitting, but are laid down. As for camels, Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) is to slaughter while it is standing up, with the left foreleg tied.³⁵

The above evidence further shows that the one who is slaughtering should make tasmiyah (to say: Bismillaah) and takbeer, and should put his foot on the side of the neck to make the killing easier.

On this occasion, Allaah's Messenger (SAW) slaughtered his sacrifice by himself. It is best for one to conduct his sacrifice with his own hands. But one may have someone represent him in the slaughtering, as is indicated in Ali's hadeeth below.

Dispensing of the Meat:

How to Divide the Meat:

Aa'ishah (RA) narrated that, at first, Allaah's Messenger (SAW) forbade people from saving or eating the sacrifices' meat for more than three days. Later on, he permitted that saying:

[ "I had previously forbidden you to save the meat of the sacrifices beyond three days, because of the poor Bedouins who came into al-Madeenah. But now I tell you: eat, save, and give away as sadaqah." ]³⁶

This shows that one may eat some of the sacrifice, give some away as charity or a gift, and save some. There is no specified ratio for these allocations. The following aayaat only indicate to whom one may dispense it, without imposing ratio either:

{ "Eat from it and feed the unfortunate poor people." }³⁷

{ "Eat from it and feed the average (one who has just enough) and the poor people." }³⁸

Thus it is best to eat at least a little bit of one's sacrifice, and to give away to the needy as much as one can spare. This was the Prophet's (SAW) practice as is described in the hadeeth of Ali below.

Selling Part of the Sacrifice?

It is not allowed to sell any part of the sacrificed animal. Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated that the Messenger (SAW) said:

[ "He who sells the hide of his sacrifice has no (acceptable) sacrifice." ]³⁹

Even the butcher who cleans and cuts it may not take any of it as his pay. Ali Bin Abu Taalib (RA) said:

"Allaah's Messenger (SAW) ordered me to sacrifice his camels, and to give away as sadaqah their meat, hide and entrails, and not to give the butcher any of it, saying: "We shall pay him from us (separately)."⁴⁰