In commemoration of the willingness of Prophet Abraham to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha every year; this Eid falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja and lasts for four days. Pleased with Abraham’s submission, God put a ram in the place of Ishmael to be sacrificed instead. It has become the tradition since that time to sacrifice an animal. Traditionally, Muslims follow the footsteps of Prophet Abraham and they share one third of the meat with the poor, one third with their neighbors and relatives, and keep the final third for the use of their of own family.

There are only specific animals that can be sacrificed and they can only be sacrificed within a specific time, if this action is to be considered as a form of worship. It has been stated that, "sheep, goats, cattle, and camels are seen as being religiously permissible." The time period when this action is permissible consists of the days of the Festival of Sacrifice.

According to Imam Azam, it is obligatory for Muslims to sacrifice an animal at this time. The verse in the Qur’an So pray and sacrifice (an animal) for God,^[i]is evidence of this.

Islamic scholars have indicated some hadiths to prove the obligatory nature of the sacrifice. The Prophet ordered:

"Sacrifice an animal. It is the tradition of your forefather Abraham."^[ii]

"Let no one approach a place of worship (mosque or masjid) who has not made a sacrifice if they are of those who are in a suitable situation (with wealth according to the set religious standards)"^[iii]

Those who are free, not traveling, Muslim, and have wealth according to the set religious standards (who own enough property to have to pay the annual alms) are those who must perform this duty.

Some scholars also state that being mature and of a sound mind are also preconditions for sacrificing an animal, and according to Imam Azam and Imam Abu Yusuf, those who find themselves as guardians of those who do not fulfill these two conditions should sacrifice an animal in their name.

The standards measuring whether or not one should sacrifice an animal are the same as those that measure whether or not one should pay the sadaqa al-fitr. Like that of zakat, the wealth that constitutes the obligation to sacrifice an animal is based on trade goods or money earned; there is no condition that the amount have been possessed for a year or that it should have growth-potential. For this reason, those who were poor, but have suddenly come into money on the Eid days must sacrifice an animal. Those who were wealthy, but have suddenly fallen on bad times are not required to do so.

Animals of Sacrifice

The animals that are suitable for sacrifice are sheep and goats (which are a year old, or seven to eight months, which is considered the same as having fulfilled one year of life), cattle (two years of age or more), oxen (two years of age or more), and camels (five years of age or more).

A sheep or a goat can only be sacrificed in the name of one person. A camel or cow can be shared from between one to seven people. However, the partners must all be Muslim, they must all purchase equal shares of the animal, and they must sacrifice the animal in the name of God.

An animal cannot be sacrificed if one or both eyes are blind, if most of the teeth have fallen out, if the ears have been cut, if one or both horns have been broken off from the base, if more than half an ear or the tail is missing, if it was born without ears or a tail, if the bones are so thin that they do not contain any marrow, if the animal is too lame to walk to the place where it will be sacrificed, or if it is ill.

If the animal is cross-eyed, if it is lame (but can walk), if it was born with horns, or without horns, if the horns are slightly damaged, if the ear has a hole in it, or is torn breadthways, if the tips of the ears have been cut or they hang down, if some of the teeth are missing, or are twisted, then there is nothing to prevent the animal from being sacrificed.

The Prophet said: "Eat from the sacrifice, donate it and collect it."[iv] From this hadith, we can understand that a Muslim should offer some of the meat to guests, donate some to the needy, and give the rest to the members of their family.

The person who sacrifices an animal can donate the hide to a charity, use it in their house as a prayer mat, or sell it, giving the money to a charity. The person who has sacrificed an animal cannot sell the hide and spend the money themselves.

It is traditional for the person who has sacrificed the animal to pray two units (rakats) to thank Almighty God, to pray to Him, and to plead with God to accept the sacrifice.

If a Muslim sacrifices an animal in sincerity, he or she will see the return multiplied on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet said the following on this matter:

"There is no more beloved action than that of a person sacrificing an animal on the Day of Sacrifice for God. That sacrifice will come with its horns, hide and hooves."^[v]

Alongside those members of society who are wealthy or well-off are those who go for months without seeing meat, who wander around half-full, people with honor who do not make their position clear for all to see, people who live in hidden poverty. These people often refrain from asking for anything from anyone. It is for such people that the feast after the sacrifice has been established. It brightens their hearts and allows them a share in the welfare of society. The feast of the sacrifice helps to spread social justice and strengthens the ties of love.

The above factors have beneficial effects from a social and economic view, in that they help the individual toward peace and happiness, and they help them to gain maturity. Sacrifice—through thanks, gratitude, forbearance, and sharing—nurtures both the individual and the society.

[i] Kawthar 108:2
[ii] A. Davudoğlu, Bülûğu'l-Meram Tercümesi ve Şerhi (Translation and Interpretation of Bulug al-Maram), IV, 1
[iii] Ibn Maja, Adahi, 2
[iv] at-Taj, III, 217
[v] at-Taj, III, 209