Eid al-Adha

The qurbani commemorates Ibrahim (as) being commanded to sacrifice his son Isma'il (as), and Allah's ransom of him with a great sacrifice. (Quran 37:102-107).

The Prophet (saw) said: "The greatest of days with Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, is the Day of Sacrifice (yawm al-nahr), and then the Day of al-Qarr (the day after, 11 Dhul Hijjah)." (Sunan Abu Dawud 1765, sahih).

Anas (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: "Allah has replaced them for you with two days that are better: the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr." (Sunan Abu Dawud 1134, sahih).

For pilgrims, 10 Dhul Hijjah is yawm al-nahr (Day of Sacrifice) when stoning the large jamrah, sacrifice, shaving/trimming, and tawaf al-ifadah are performed. See /hajj-guide.

From Fajr of 9 Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) until Asr of 13 Dhul Hijjah, recite the takbir after every obligatory prayer. (Established by the practice of Umar, Ali, and Ibn Mas'ud (ra), reported in al-Bayhaqi and Ibn Abi Shaybah).

As with Eid al-Fitr. Ibn Umar (ra) used to bathe on the day of Eid before going to the musalla. (Muwatta Malik).

Buraydah (ra) said: "The Prophet (saw) used not to go out on the day of al-Fitr until he had eaten, and he used not to eat on the day of al-Adha until he prayed." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 542, sahih). Eat from the qurbani after the prayer.

See Eid al-Fitr; the same Sunnahs apply. (Sahih Bukhari 986).

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illā Allāh, Allāhu akbar Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi al-ḥamd. Recited from Fajr of 9 Dhul Hijjah through Asr of 13 Dhul Hijjah, including walking to the musalla on Eid morning.

The Eid al-Adha prayer is identical in structure to Eid al-Fitr: two rakahs, no adhan, no iqamah, with extra takbirs. The only practical difference is timing (Eid al-Adha is prayed slightly earlier so that the qurbani can be done after) and the khutbah content emphasising the rulings of qurbani.

The imam recites Surah al-Fatihah and a surah aloud. Surah Qaf (50) and al-Qamar (54), or al-A'la (87) and al-Ghashiyah (88), are the established Sunnahs of the Prophet (saw). (Sahih Muslim 891).

See Eid al-Fitr. The khutbah typically covers the rulings of qurbani.

Hanafi: wajib (obligatory) on every adult, sane, free, resident Muslim who possesses the nisab. Other three Sunni schools (Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali): sunnah mu'akkadah on the one able to do it. (Hidayah; Mukhtasar Khalil; al-Umm; al-Mughni).

After the Eid prayer of 10 Dhul Hijjah, until sunset on 13 Dhul Hijjah (per the Shafi'i, also a known Hanbali view) or until sunset of 12 Dhul Hijjah (Hanafi, Maliki). "Whoever sacrifices before the prayer, let him repeat it." (Sahih Bukhari 5546).

Sheep, goats, cows, and camels. A sheep or goat counts for one person; a cow or camel for up to seven shareholders. (Sahih Muslim 1318).

Sheep: at least 6 months (jadha'ah). Goat: at least 1 year. Cow: at least 2 years. Camel: at least 5 years. (Sahih Muslim 1963).

"Four are not permitted as sacrifice: a one-eyed animal whose blindness 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." (Sunan Abu Dawud 2802, sahih).

The Sunnah is to divide into thirds: one third for self and household, one third for friends and relatives, one third for the poor. (Reported as the practice of Ibn Umar (ra) and Ibn Abbas (ra); the Quranic command is broader: "eat thereof and feed the contented and the needy", Quran 22:36).

It is not permitted to sell any part of the qurbani, including the skin. Ali (ra) said: "The Prophet (saw) commanded me to take care of the camels he sacrificed, to give their meat, skins, and saddle-blankets in charity, and not to give the butcher anything from them as wages." (Sahih Bukhari 1717).

Umm Salamah (ra) reported the Prophet (saw) said: "When the ten days [of Dhul Hijjah] begin and one of you intends to sacrifice, let him not take anything from his hair or nails." (Sahih Muslim 1977). This applies to the person making the qurbani, from the start of Dhul Hijjah until they sacrifice.

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illā Allāh, Allāhu akbar Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi al-ḥamd. (Established from Ibn Mas'ud and Ibn Abbas with sahih chains in al-Bayhaqi.)

Start: Fajr of 9 Dhul Hijjah (the Day of Arafah). End: Asr of 13 Dhul Hijjah. The pilgrim has a slightly different schedule starting from the Dhuhr of 10 Dhul Hijjah.

Invalid. The Prophet (saw) said: "Whoever slaughters before the prayer, his sacrifice does not count; let him slaughter another." (Sahih Bukhari 5546).

See the four defects above. The animal must be visibly sound.

Both prohibited. (Sahih Bukhari 1717). Pay the butcher separately.

See above. Many Muslims forget this and need to be reminded once Dhul Hijjah enters.

Qurbani is an act of worship. Make the niyyah, say bismillah and Allahu akbar at the slaughter, and follow the Sunnahs.

10 Dhul Hijjah, the day after the Day of Arafah for non-pilgrims.

Yes, for non-pilgrims. The Prophet (saw) said: "Fasting the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year." (Sahih Muslim 1162).

Yes, this is permitted by the four Sunni schools. Many Muslims sacrifice through reliable charity organisations in countries with greater poverty. The Sunnah of eating from your sacrifice is missed in this case; some scholars recommend doing both, one at home and one through charity, where possible.

"Taqabbal Allāhu minnā wa minkum" (May Allah accept it from us and from you). Reported by al-Bayhaqi with a sahih chain.

Yes, including menstruating women, who witness the gathering and dua but do not pray. (Sahih Bukhari 324).

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ, لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ, اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ, وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illā Allāh, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi al-ḥamd

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. And to Allah belongs all praise.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ, اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَلَكَ

Bismillāhi wallāhu akbar, Allāhumma minka wa laka

In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is from You and to You.

تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُمْ

Taqabbal Allāhu minnā wa minkum

May Allah accept it from us and from you.