* *A CONCISE LESSON ON SACRIFICE AND SACRIFICIAL ANIMALS*

*ITS RULING*
Allah instructed us with it in the holy Quran (Suratul Kauthar, verse 2). It is a strong confirmed sunnah upon who can offer it. there is a stern warning to the one who refused to do it while he can offer it.

*ITS PURPOSE*
It should be regarded as a devotion to
be done sincerely for Allah’s sake Alone,to gain His reward and closeness, not as a matter of competition or showing off.

It should also be borne in mind that Allah has no business with the flesh or the blood, it’s only sincerity that He requires from us (Suratul Hajj,verse 37).

*DESIRABLE AGE OF SACRIFICIAL ANIMALS.*
Based on a hadith from Muslim & Nasa’I:

*-Sheep and goat: 1 year - above.*

*-Cattle= Years 2 to above.*

*-Camels= Years 4 to above.*

But if the desirable isn't available,using the the available is permissible.

*THE SACRIFICIAL ANIMALS TO BE AVOIDED*
According to hadiths recorded by Imam Tirmidhi da Abi Dawud , the following animals should be avoided in sacrifice :

1-The one-eyed whose defect is obvious.

2-The sick whose sickness is obvious.

3- The lame whose limping is obvious.

4-The extremely emaciated whose fleshlessness is obvious ( *except if you can't afford another but the emaciated* ).

*THE BEST ANIMAL FOR SACRIFICE.*
Sheep and goat are the best types of animals for sacrifice. For the Prophet (saw) always slaughtered these kind of animals, particularly RAMS *eg, as reported by Bukhari).*

Though it is permissible for 7people to buy and slaughter a cow as their sacrifice,it is not applicable to sheep and goat.

*ITS VIRTUE*
It is stated in Aridatul Ahwaziy, commentary of Jami’it-Tirmiziy of Ibnil-Arabiy, that :

*“All the reports stating the actual rewards for sacrifice do not reach the degree of authenticity”*.

Allah Alone knows the magnitude of your reward.

*When one intends to offer sacrifice, one shouldn’t cut one’s hairs nor clip one’s nails in the first ten days until the sacrifice is offered. (Muslim).

*ITS DUE TIME* Slaughtering before Eid invalidates the sacrifice,as reported in Bukhari.So it must be after Eid prayer,after Imam has done so.

*THE DAYS ARE*
From Sallah Day till the sunset of the last Day of Tashreeq ( *Days of Tashreeq means 11th ,12th & 13th* ).

*WHAT TO RECITE BEFORE THE SLAUGHTER*
There are various authentic narrations on this.
One can say :

*Bismillah,Allahumma minka wa laka*,or

*Allahumma taqabbal minniy wa ahliy.*
For the Prophet(s.a.w) said

“ *Allahumma taqabbal min Muhammadin wa ali Muhammadin* ” (Bukhari)

(ie O Allah, accept from Muhammad and Muhammad’s Family).

It’s better to slaughter it yourself, but you can delegate someone. In either of the cases, make your knives
very sharp to ease the suffering as commanded by the Prophet.

It’s also from Sunnah that you make the meat what you will firstly eat that day.

*THE BUTCHER’S DUE.*
The butcher should be given his due in full,in cash,and not with any part of the sacrificed animal(As reported in Bukhari & Muslim).

*THE MEAT*
You are free to eat, give out in charity and keep some (Bukhari & Muslim).

Finally,never forget to be generous to the poor and the needy. (Suratul Hajj ,v36).

Wassalamu alaykum wa rahmatulLah.