Chapters on Sacrifices

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to sacrifice two horned, black-and-white rams and he would say the Name of Allah and pronounce His greatness. I saw him slaughtering them with his own hand, putting his foot on their sides.”

يُضَحِّي بِكَبْشَيْنِ أَمْلَحَيْنِ أَقْرَنَيْنِ وَيُسَمِّي وَيُكَبِّرُ وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُهُ يَذْبَحُ بِيَدِهِ وَاضِعًا قَدَمَهُ عَلَى صِفَاحِهِمَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 22 other versions

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sacrificed two rams on the Day of ‘Eid. When he turned them to face towards the prayer direction he said: ‘Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth, as a monotheist, and I am not of the polytheists. Verily, my prayer, my…

"‏ إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 4 other versions

It was narrated from ‘Aishah and Abu Hurairah that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wanted to offer a sacrifice, he brought two large, fat, horned, black-and-white, castrated rams. He slaughtered one on behalf of his nation, for whoever testified to Allah with monotheism and that he had conveyed…

إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُضَحِّيَ اشْتَرَى كَبْشَيْنِ عَظِيمَيْنِ سَمِينَيْنِ أَقْرَنَيْنِ أَمْلَحَيْنِ مَوْجُوءَيْنِ فَذَبَحَ أَحَدَهُمَا عَنْ أُمَّتِهِ لِمَنْ شَهِدَ لِلَّهِ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ وَشَهِدَ لَهُ بِالْبَلاَغِ…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 1 other version

Whoever can afford it but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever can afford it but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place."

"‏ مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ سَعَةٌ وَلَمْ يُضَحِّ فَلاَ يَقْرَبَنَّ مُصَلاَّنَا ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 1 other version Explained

“I asked Ibn ‘Umar about sacrifices and whether they are obligatory. He said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the Muslims after him offered sacrifices, and this is the Sunnah.’” Another chain reports exactly the same.

ضَحَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ وَالْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَجَرَتْ بِهِ السُّنَّةُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar

“We were standing with the Prophet (ﷺ) at ‘Arafat and he said: ‘O people, each family, each year, must offer Udhiyah and ‘Atirah.’

إِنَّ عَلَى كُلِّ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ فِي كُلِّ عَامٍ أُضْحِيَّةً وَعَتِيرَةً ‏"‏ ‏.‏ أَتَدْرُونَ مَا الْعَتِيرَةُ هِيَ الَّتِي يُسَمِّيهَا النَّاسُ الرَّجَبِيَّةَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Mikhnaf ibn Sulaym + 6 other versions

“The son of Adam does not do any deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is dearer to Allah than shedding blood. It will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns and cloven hoofs and hair. Its blood is accepted by Allah before it reaches the ground. So be content when you do it.”

"‏ مَا عَمِلَ ابْنُ آدَمَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ عَمَلاً أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْ هِرَاقَةِ دَمٍ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِقُرُونِهَا وَأَظْلاَفِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا وَإِنَّ الدَّمَ لَيَقَعُ مِنَ…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 2 other versions

“The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what are these sacrifices?’ He said: ‘The Sunnah of your father Ibrahim.’ They said: ‘What is there for us in them, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘For every hair, one merit.’ They said: ‘What about wool, O Messenger of…

"‏ سُنَّةُ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا فَمَا لَنَا فِيهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ بِكُلِّ شَعَرَةٍ حَسَنَةٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا فَالصُّوفُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ بِكُلِّ شَعَرَةٍ مِنَ الصُّوفِ…

Narrated by Zayd ibn Arqam + 2 other versions

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sacrificed a horned, defectless ram with a black stomach, black feet and black around its eyes.”

ضَحَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ بِكَبْشٍ أَقْرَنَ فَحِيلٍ يَأْكُلُ فِي سَوَادٍ وَيَمْشِي فِي سَوَادٍ وَيَنْظُرُ فِي سَوَادٍ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri + 4 other versions

“I went out with Abu Sa’eed Az- Zuraqi, the Companion of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), to buy animals or sacrifice.” Yunus said: “Abu Sa’eed pointed to a ram that had some blackness around its ears and jaw, and was neither too big nor too small, and said to me: ‘Buy this one for them, as it seems to…

كَبْشٍ أَدْغَمَ لَيْسَ بِالْمُرْتَفِعِ وَلاَ الْمُتَّضِعِ فِي جِسْمِهِ فَقَالَ لِي اشْتَرِ لِي هَذَا ‏.‏ كَأَنَّهُ شَبَّهَهُ بِكَبْشِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Sa‘īd az-Zuraqī

“The best of shrouds is a two piece Najrani garment and the best of sacrifices is a horned ram.”

"‏ خَيْرُ الْكَفَنِ الْحُلَّةُ وَخَيْرُ الضَّحَايَا الْكَبْشُ الأَقْرَنُ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Umāmah

“We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey, and the (day of) Al-Adha came. We (sacrificed) one camel on behalf of ten (people) and one cow on behalf of seven.”

فَحَضَرَ الأَضْحَى فَاشْتَرَكْنَا فِي الْجَزُورِ عَنْ عَشَرَةٍ وَالَبَقَرَةِ عَنْ سَبْعَةٍ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 3 other versions

“We offered sacrifices at Al- Hudaibiyah with the Prophet (ﷺ), a camel on behalf of seven (people) and a cow on behalf of seven.”

نَحَرْنَا بِالْحُدَيْبِيَةِ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ الْبَدَنَةَ عَنْ سَبْعَةٍ وَالْبَقَرَةَ عَنْ سَبْعَةٍ ‏.‏

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 10 other versions

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) slaughtered a cow on behalf of all his wives who had performed ‘Umrah, during the Farewell Pilgrimage.”

ذَبَحَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ عَمَّنِ اعْتَمَرَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِ فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ بَقَرَةً بَيْنَهُنَّ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 1 other version

“Camels became scarce at the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), so he commanded them to sacrifice cows.”

أَنْ يَنْحَرُوا الْبَقَرَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās

It was narrated from ‘Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sacrificed one cow during the Farewell Pilgrimage on behalf of the family of Muhammad (ﷺ).

ـ نَحَرَ عَنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ بَقَرَةً وَاحِدَةً ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 1 other version

“I have to offer a sacrifice and I can afford it, but I cannot find (a camel) to buy.” The Prophet (ﷺ) told him to buy seven sheep and slaughter them.

ـ أَنْ يَبْتَاعَ سَبْعَ شِيَاهٍ فَيَذْبَحَهُنَّ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 2 other versions

“We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in Dhul-Hulaifah in (the land of) Tihamah. We acquired sheep and camels and the people hastened to put cooking pots on the fires before they had been distributed. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us and ordered that they be overturned,* then he made one…

ـ فَأَمَرَ بِهَا فَأُكْفِئَتْ ثُمَّ عَدَلَ الْجَزُورَ بِعَشَرَةٍ مِنَ الْغَنَمِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Rāfi‘ ibn Khadīj

“You sacrifice it yourself.”

ـ أَعْطَاهُ غَنَمًا فَقَسَمَهَا عَلَى أَصْحَابِهِ ضَحَايَا فَبَقِيَ عَتُودٌ فَذَكَرَهُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ ضَحِّ بِهِ أَنْتَ ‏"

Narrated by Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir + 9 other versions

“It is permissible to offer a Jadha’a* among sheep as a sacrifice.”

"‏ يَجُوزُ الْجَذَعُ مِنَ الضَّأْنِ أُضْحِيَّةً ‏"

Narrator: هلال بن أبي هلال الأسلمي + 1 other version

“We were with a man from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who was called Mujashi’, from Banu Sulaim, and sheep became scarce. He ordered a caller to call out that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say: ‘A Jadha’a suffices for whatever a two-year-old sheep suffices.’”

"‏ إِنَّ الْجَذَعَ يُوفِي مِمَّا تُوفِي مِنْهُ الثَّنِيَّةُ ‏"

Narrated by Mujāshi

‘Do not slaughter anything but a Musinnah,* unless there is none available, in which case you can slaughter a Jadha’a among sheep.”

"‏ لاَ تَذْبَحُوا إِلاَّ مُسِنَّةً إِلاَّ أَنْ يَعْسُرَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَذْبَحُوا جَذَعَةً مِنَ الضَّأْنِ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 7 other versions

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade sacrificing the Muqabalah, the Mudabarah, the Sharqa’, the Kharqa’ and the Jad’a’.”*

ـ أَنْ يُضَحَّى بِمُقَابَلَةٍ أَوْ مُدَابَرَةٍ أَوْ شَرْقَاءَ أَوْ خَرْقَاءَ أَوْ جَدْعَاءَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ali + 1 other version

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded us to examine the eyes and ears.”*

ـ أَنْ نَسْتَشْرِفَ الْعَيْنَ وَالأُذُنَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ali + 8 other versions

“I heard ‘Ubaid bin Fairuz say: ‘I said to Bara’ bin ‘Azib: “Tell us of the sacrificial animals that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) disliked or forbade.” He said: “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said like this with his hand. And my hand is shorter than his hand:* ‘There are four that will not be accepted as…

"‏ أَرْبَعٌ لاَ تُجْزِئُ فِي الأَضَاحِيِّ الْعَوْرَاءُ الْبَيِّنُ عَوَرُهَا وَالْمَرِيضَةُ الْبَيِّنُ مَرَضُهَا وَالْعَرْجَاءُ الْبَيِّنُ ظَلْعُهَا وَالْكَسِيرَةُ الَّتِي لاَ تُنْقِي ‏"

Narrated by Al-Barā' ibn ‘Āzib + 13 other versions

It was narrated from Qatadah that he said that he heard Juray bin Kulaib narrate that he heard ‘Ali narrate that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade sacrificing animals with broken horns and ears.

ـ نَهَى أَنْ يُضَحَّى بِأَعْضَبِ الْقَرْنِ وَالأُذُنِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ali + 5 other versions

“We bought a ram for sacrifice, then a wolf tore some flesh from its rump and ears. We asked the Prophet (ﷺ) and he told us to offer it as a sacrifice.”

ابْتَعْنَا كَبْشًا نُضَحِّي بِهِ فَأَصَابَ الذِّئْبُ مِنْ أَلْيَتِهِ أَوْ أُذُنِهِ فَسَأَلْنَا النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَأَمَرَنَا أَنْ نُضَحِّيَ بِهِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri

“I asked Abu Ayyub Al- Ansari: ‘How were sacrifices offered among you at the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?’ He said: ‘At the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), a man would sacrifice a sheep on behalf of himself and the members of his household, and they would eat some of it and give some to others…

ـ يُضَحِّي بِالشَّاةِ عَنْهُ وَعَنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ فَيَأْكُلُونَ وَيُطْعِمُونَ ثُمَّ تَبَاهَى النَّاسُ فَصَارَ كَمَا تَرَى ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Ayyūb al-Ansāri + 1 other version

“My family started to put pressure on me after I came to know the Sunnah. People used to sacrifice one or two sheep, but now our neighbors call us stingy.”

حَمَلَنِي أَهْلِي عَلَى الْجَفَاءِ بَعْدَمَا عَلِمْتُ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ كَانَ أَهْلُ الْبَيْتِ يُضَحُّونَ بِالشَّاةِ وَالشَّاتَيْنِ وَالآنَ يُبَخِّلُنَا جِيرَانُنَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Hudhayfa ibn Asīd al-Ghifārī

“When the ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah) begin, and one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, let him not remove anything from his hair or skin.”

"‏ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْعَشْرُ وَأَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يُضَحِّيَ فَلاَ يَمَسَّ مِنْ شَعَرِهِ وَلاَ بَشَرِهِ شَيْئًا ‏"

Narrated by Umm Salamah + 4 other versions

“Whoever among you sees the new crescent of Dhul-Hijjah and wants to offer a sacrifice, let him not take anything from his hair or nails.”

"‏ مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ هِلاَلَ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يُضَحِّيَ فَلاَ يَقْرَبَنَّ لَهُ شَعَرًا وَلاَ ظُفْرًا ‏"

Narrated by Umm Salamah

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that a man slaughtered on the Day of Sacrifice, (meaning) before the ‘Eid prayer, and the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered him to do it again.

أَنَّ رَجُلاً، ذَبَحَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ فَأَمَرَهُ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنْ يُعِيدَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik

“I was present on Adha day with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and some people slaughtered before the prayer. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever among you has slaughtered before the prayer, let him repeat his sacrifice, and whoever has not, let him offer his sacrifice in the Name of Allah.’”

"‏ مَنْ كَانَ ذَبَحَ مِنْكُمْ قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ فَلْيُعِدْ أُضْحِيَّتَهُ وَمَنْ لاَ فَلْيَذْبَحْ عَلَى اسْمِ اللَّهِ ‏"

Narrated by Jundab ibn Abdullah

“Repeat your sacrifice.”

أَعِدْ أُضْحِيَّتَكَ ‏"

Narrated by Uwaymir ibn Ashqar

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed by one of the houses of the Ansar and noticed the smell of a cooking pot. He said: ‘Who is this who has slaughtered?’ A man from among us came out and said: ‘It is me, O Messenger of Allah, I slaughtered before the prayer so that I could feed my family and…

"‏ مَنْ هَذَا الَّذِي ذَبَحَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنَّا فَقَالَ أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ذَبَحْتُ قَبْلَ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ لأُطْعِمَ أَهْلِي وَجِيرَانِي ‏.‏ فَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُعِيدَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لاَ وَاللَّهِ…

Narrated by Abu Zayd + 1 other version

“I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) slaughter his sacrifice with his own hand, placing his foot on its side.”

ـ يَذْبَحُ أُضْحِيَّتَهُ بِيَدِهِ وَاضِعًا قَدَمَهُ عَلَى صِفَاحِهَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 1 other version

“My father told me, from my grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) slaughtered his sacrifice at the side of an alley, on the road of Banu Zuraiq, with his own hand, using a blade.”

ـ ذَبَحَ أُضْحِيَّتَهُ عِنْدَ طَرَفِ الزُّقَاقِ طَرِيقِ بَنِي زُرَيْقٍ بِيَدِهِ بِشَفْرَةٍ ‏.‏

Narrator: سعد بن عائذ الأنصاري

‘Ali bin Abu Talib narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded him to distribute the entire sacrificial camel – its meat, skin and covers – among the poor.

ـ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَقْسِمَ بُدْنَهُ كُلَّهَا لُحُومَهَا وَجُلُودَهَا وَجِلاَلَهَا لِلْمَسَاكِينِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ali + 4 other versions

It was narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordered that a piece from every camel that had been slaughtered be brought and placed in a pot, then they ate from its meat and drank some of the broth.

ـ أَمَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ جَزُورٍ بِبَضْعَةٍ فَجُعِلَتْ فِي قِدْرٍ فَأَكَلُوا مِنَ اللَّحْمِ وَحَسَوْا مِنَ الْمَرَقِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) only forbade storing the meat of the sacrifices because the people were facing hardship. Then later he permitted that.”

ـ عَنْ لُحُومِ الأَضَاحِيِّ لِجَهْدِ النَّاسِ ثُمَّ رَخَّصَ فِيهَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah

“I used to forbid you to store the meat of the sacrifices for more than three days, but (now) eat some and store some.”

"‏ كُنْتُ نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْ لُحُومِ الأَضَاحِيِّ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فَكُلُوا وَادَّخِرُوا ‏"

Narrated by Nubaysha al-Hudhalī + 14 other versions

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to slaughter at the prayer place (of the ‘Eid congregation).

أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَذْبَحُ بِالْمُصَلَّى ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar