Udhiyah
refers to the animal (camel, cattle or sheep) offered as a
sacrifice, and it as an act of worship dedicated solely to gain
Pleasure of Allah. Udhiyah takes place in the country in which the
person offering the sacrifice lives, during the period from after
the `Eid Prayer on the Day of nahr or `Eid Al-Adha
until the last of the Days of tashreeq (the 13th day of
Dhul-Hijjah), with the intention of offering sacrifice. Allah
says: [Therefore
turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).]
(Al-Kawthar 108:2)
He also says: [Say
(O Muhammad): ‘Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my
dying are for Allah, the Lord of the `Alameen (mankind, jinn and
all that exists).]
(Al-An`am 6:162)
[And
for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they
may mention the Name of Allah 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 Islam)…]
(Al-Hajj 22:34)
Udhiyah is a Confirmed Sunnah or Sunnah Mu’akkadah
according to the majority of scholars (some scholars say that it
is wajib or obligatory; this will be discussed in more
detail below).
The basic principle is that it is required at the appointed time
from one who is alive on behalf of himself and the members of his
household, and he may include in the reward whoever he wishes,
living or dead.
Conditions
of Udhiyah
1.
The animal should 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.
2.
It should be free of any faults, because the Prophet (peace and
blessing be upon him) said: “There are four that will not do
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.” (Sahih Al-Jami`, no. 886). There are milder defects
that do not disqualify an animal, but it is makruh to
sacrifice such animals, such as an animal with a horn or ear
missing, or an animal with slits in its ears, etc. Udhiyah is an
act of worship to Allah, and Allah is Good and accepts only that
which is good. Whoever honors the rites of Allah, this has to do
with the piety of the heart.
3.
It is forbidden to sell it. If an animal has been selected for
sacrifice, it is not permissible to sell it or give it away,
except in exchange for one that is better. If an animal gives
birth, its offspring should be sacrificed along with it. It is
also permissible to ride it if necessary. The evidence for this is
the report narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurayrah,
may Allah be pleased with him, who said that the Messenger of
Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man leading his
camel and told him, “Ride it.” He said, “It is for
sacrifice.” He said, “Ride it” a second or third time.
4.
It should be sacrificed at the specified time, which is from after
the prayer and khutbah of `Eid – not from when the time
for the prayer and khutbah starts – until before sunset
on the last day of tashreeq, which is the 13th day of
Dhul-Hijjah. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) is
reported to have said: “Whoever sacrifices before the prayer,
let him repeat it.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
`Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The days of nahr
or sacrifice are the day of al-Adha and the three days
following it.” This is also the opinion of Al-Hasan Al-Basri,
`Ata’ Ibn Abu Rabah, Al-Auza`i, Ash-Shafi`i and Ibn Al-Mundhir,
may Allah have mercy on them all.
