Rulings of Udhiyah (Sacrifice)

Al-Udhiyah refers to the animal (whether a camel, cow or sheep) that is sacrificed as an act of worship to Allaah, during the period from after the Eid prayer on the Day of Nahr (Eid al-Adhaa) un-til the last of the Days of Tashreeq (the 11th, 12th and 13th day of Dhu’l-Hijjah), with the intention of offering sacrifice. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).” [al-Kawthar 108:2] Al-Udhiyyah is a confirmed Sunnah according to the majority of scholars. A sheep suffices as a sacrifice for one man and the members of his household and his children The kinds of animals prescribed for sacrifice are camels, cows and sheep. Some of the scholars said that the best sacrifice is camels, then cows, then sheep, then a share in a she-camel or cow, A camel or cow suffices for seven people Conditions of al-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 blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are four that are unacceptable 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" 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 of the days of Tashreeq, which is the 13th day of Dhu’l-Hijjah It is preferable (mustahabb) for the one who intends to sacrifice not to eat anything on that day before he eats from his sacrificial animal, if this is possible. It is better for a person to slaughter the sacrifice himself, but if he does not, it is mustahabb for him to be present when it is slaughtered. It is mustahaab to divide the meat into three: one third to be eat-en, one third to be given as gifts and one third to be given in charity. The scholars agreed that it is not permissible to sell anything from its meat, fat or skin. The butcher should not be given anything of it by way of reward or payment, The Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to offer a sacrifice must refrain from taking anything from his hair, nails or skin from the first day of Dhu’l-Hijjah until he offers his sacrifice. Source: IslamHouse.com