The Blessed Eid Al-Adha (Sacrifice)
O beloved, the feasts are not pleasant but by following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him. Therefore, I would like to remind you of some of the authenticated actions that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, used to do on the Day of Arafat and the Days the blessed Eid of Al-Adha.
- Categories: Fiqh of Hajj and Umrah - Hajj and Adha Files -
In the name of Allah, and all the praises and thanks be to Allah. Prayers and peace of Allah be upon His Messenger, and upon all his family, companions, and followers.
The Feasts in Islam are terminating the habits of the days of ignorance.
O beloved, the feasts are not pleasant but by following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him. Therefore, I would like to remind you of some of the authenticated actions that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, used to do on the Day of Arafat and the Days the blessed Eid of Al-Adha. They are as follows.
Firstly, the takbîr (saying, “allahu akbar (Allah is the Greatest)). It is from the Sunnah to say the takbîr from the dawn of the day of Arafat till the sunset of the last day of At-Tashrîq (the three following days of the Eid: 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijja), i.e. the 4th day of Eid. It is preferable that one should increase saying Tabsih (Subhan-Allah), Tahlil (la ilâha illa Allah), takbîr (Allahu-Akbar), and Tahmid (Al-Hamdu lillah). It is from the Sunnah that men say takbîr loudly in the mosques, market places, homes, and after finishing the prayers. This is done to announce their glorification and praising of Allah Almighty and thanking Him. It is done to show happiness and joy. As for the women, they say the takbîr but in a low voice.
Secondly, observing the Eid prayer and abstaining from wasting it. One should go early to perform it in the praying place (whether a mosque, a specified praying space…). It is preferable that one goes walking (if possible) and returns from another rout. Women are preferred to attend the prayer without wearing make-up or perfume. As for the menstruating or the bleeding following childbirth women, they attend the khutba (sermon) but avoid the prayer.
Thirdly, performing total ablution (for men and women) and wearing perfume (for men only). In addition, one must put on the best and most beautiful garments without extravagance, and without trailing his lower garment or shaving the beard (for men).
Fourthly, the Eid prayer consists of two rak’ahs. Allahu-akbar is said seven times in the first rak’ah (other than the takbîr of the beginning of prayer) and five times in the second (in addition to the takbîr of standing from prostration). When the imam finishes the prayer, he stands and says the khutba. It is to be noted that it is preferable to sit and listen to the khutba and not leaving the praying place before hearing it.
Fifthly, it is from the Sunnah to congratulate each other. One can say, May Allah accept the righteous deeds from you and me, happy Eid, may Allah bring the good of this to you and us, I wish you attend the coming Eid and other Eids…
Sixthly, one should keep the relation with kith and kin; bring about happiness to the children, and show happiness and joy.
Seventhly, the sacrifice
1- Inciting to offer it: it was authenticated that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has offered two horned amlahayn rams (the one that is black and white in color) as a sacrifice. He put his foot on their sides, mentioning the Name of Allah, and saying the Takbir. Then he slaughtered them with his own hands.” [Agreed upon]
«ضحَّى النبيُّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم بكبشَينِ أملحَينِ أقرنَينِ، ذبَحهما بيدِه، وسمَّى وكبَّر، ووضَع رجلَه على صِفاحِهما» متفق عليه
It is to be noted that one ram or sheep suffices for the man and his family; if he offered more it is good. The camel or the cattle suffices for seven men, along with their families.
Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “We sacrificed along with the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, at the year of al-Hudaybiyyah a camel for seven people and a cow for seven people.” [Reported by Muslim]
«نحرنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عام الحديبية؛ البدنة عن سبعة، والبقرة عن سبعة» رواه مسلم
From the scientific miracles of the Quran are the words of Allah Almighty, {Eat not (O believers) of that (meat) on which Allâh’s Name has not been pronounced (at the time of the slaughtering of the animal),} [Surat Al-An’âm 6:121]
{وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْهِ} الأنعام: 121
Transliteration: Wala takuloo mimma lam yuthkari ismu Allahi AAalayhi
It is scientifically proved that germs and microbes do not spread in the meat on which Allah’s Name has been pronounced as fast and as the same volume as they spread in the animals which are slaughtered without mentioning the Name of Allah and without saying the takbîr at the time of slaughtering. Allah is the Greatest.
2-The characteristic of the sacrificial animal: it is an offering from the slave to Allah, Glorified and Exalted; therefore, it should be at the best condition as it could be. It is not permissible to offer as a sacrifice an animal that clearly has one bad eye, a lame animal that is obviously lame, a sick animal that is obviously sick, or an animal that is so emaciated that it is as if there is no marrow in its bones.
3-The due dates of offering it: four days which are the day of the Eid and the three days of At-Tashrîq; the second, third, and fourth days of the Eid.
4-The best time to offer it: it is directly after performing the Eid prayer. It is not permissible to offer it before the prayer. The prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, “The first thing we should do on this day of ours is to pray and then return and slaughter (our sacrifices). So anyone who does so he acted according to our Sunnah; and whoever slaughtered before the prayer then it was just meat that he offered to his family and would not be considered as a sacrifice in any way.” [Agreed upon]
«إن أولَ نُسُكِنا في يومِنا هذا أن نَبدَأَ بالصلاةِ، ثم نَرجِعَ فننحَرَ، فمَن فعَل ذلك فقد وافَق سُنَّتَنا، ومَن ذبَح قبل ذلك فإنما هو شيءٌ عجَّله لأهلِه، ليس منَ النُّسُكِ في شيءٍ» متفق عليه
5-The place to slaughter: the best place to slaughter the sacrifice is the praying place (this is not the mosque, it is a park, a garden, a spacious place which is specified for offering the Eid prayer), if possible. It was reported in Sahih Al-Bukhâri that “The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, used to slaughter the sacrifice in the prayer place.”
«كان رسولُ اللهِ صلى اللهُ عليه وسلم يَذبَحُ ويَنحَرُ بالمُصَلَّى» رواه البخاري
He used to do this whether the sacrifice is from the sheep, cattle, or camels.
6-Eating from the sacrifice: Allah Almighty says, {eat thereof, and feed the poor who does not ask (men), and the beggar who asks (men).} [Surat Al-Hajj 22:36]
{فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ} الحج: 36
Transliteration: fakuloo minhawaatAAimoo alqaniAAa waalmuAAtarra
Some errors and mistakes that take place on the night before the Eid
* Staying the night awake that leads to wasting the dawn prayer along with the Eid prayer.
* Dedicating this day to visit the graveyards and thinking that this is from the Sunnah; however, visiting the graveyards is permissible at any time; during the Eid and on other days.
* Extravagance; even if it is in the permissible things such as food, drinks, and clothes.
* The intermingling between men and women, whether in the Eid or on other days.
* Receiving the Eid with songs, dancing, and the prohibited things as the habit of the infidels, this is done under the pretext of showing happiness and joy.
Finally, O Muslims: be keen in performing acts of charity and righteousness. Such righteous deeds include keeping the relations with kith and kin, visiting the relatives, being righteous to neighbors, spreading greetings and peace, abandoning envy and enmity. These acts of righteousness also include leniency and forgiveness to those who wronged you, being kind and charitable towards the poor and needy, helping the widows, and bringing about happiness to the children, especially the orphans. The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, “I will be like this in Paradise with the person who takes care of an orphan, and he raised his forefinger and middle finger by way of illustration.” [Reported by Al-Bukhâri]
«أنا وَكافلُ اليتيمِ في الجنَّةِ هَكَذا. وأشارَ بالسَّبَّابةِ والوُسطى» رواه البخاري
Such noble ethics are little of much, which the role model of humanity, our beloved Messenger, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has taught us. The beloved of every Muslim, our Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, was described by His Lord by the words {And Verily, you (O Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) are on an exalted (standard of) character.} [Surat Al-Qalam 68:4]
{وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ } القلم: 4
Transliteration: Wainnaka laAAala khuluqin AAatheemin
Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, was sent to accomplish the righteous manners.
To sum up, O brothers, the Eid is a great blessing, which deserves that we praise and thank the Lord of heaven and earth. May Allah, Glorified and Exalted, grant us success to be thankful, praising, and worshipping our Lord. May He grant us success in avoiding the prohibited. May He accept from us the righteous deeds. Happy Eid for all the Muslims, in this year and the coming ones.
Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.