He also asks: What are the defects that may be present in some animals and render them unsuitable for the 'Id sacrifice? What is the earliest and latest time for the slaughter? And is it permissible for someone else to slaughter on behalf of a person, even if it is not specified that it is for so-and-so?
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The questioner : He also asks: What are the defects that may be present in some animals and render them unsuitable for the 'Id sacrifice? What is the earliest and latest time for the slaughter? And is it permissible for someone else to slaughter on behalf of a person, even if it is not specified that it is for so-and-so?
The Shaykh : The defects that prevent the sacrifice from being valid were explained by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the hadith of al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: These are the four defects that prevent the sacrifice from being valid. It is not permissible to offer a sacrifice if the animal possesses any of these defects, and anything that is similar in meaning or likeness to them is treated the same in ruling. The one-eyed animal with obvious blindness is the one whose blindness is apparent to anyone who sees it, such that the eye is protruding or sunken, or has a distinct white patch that makes it clear to the observer that it is blind. However, if the eye is intact but the animal cannot see with it, this does not prevent the sacrifice from being valid. As for the sick animal with obvious illness, it is the one on which the signs and symptoms of illness are apparent, such as being inactive, not eating, having a high temperature, and similar indicators of its sickness. The lame animal with obvious lameness, the scholars said, is the one that cannot walk alongside a healthy animal. As for the one that can walk alongside a healthy animal and compete with it, even if it limps, there is no harm in it.
As for the emaciated animal with no marrow, it is the one that has no marrow in its limbs, because it is generally not good in meat. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited it. Similarly, the completely blind animal does not suffice for the sacrifice, just as the one-eyed animal with obvious blindness does not. Similarly, the lame animal with obvious lameness, or one that has had a limb cut off, does not suffice. Likewise, if it is an old animal that never walks, it does not suffice. And similar to the sick animal with obvious illness is the pregnant animal if labor pains take hold of it, meaning if it is in the process of giving birth and it is unknown whether the offspring will live or die; it does not suffice until it is safely delivered.
The scholars said: Similarly, the one that has been affected by eating dates or other things, if it has been affected, does not suffice until it recovers, because it is exposed to danger.
The questioner : Affected, meaning it ate?
The Shaykh : It means it ate dates and became affected to the point that its rectum was blocked, so it could not breathe and its belly swelled.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, this and similar cases do not suffice.
The questioner : Or is it one with a cut ear?
The Shaykh : As for a defect in its ear,
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : or in its horn, or in its teeth, or in its tail, it suffices, but one without such defects is better and more excellent.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : The earliest and latest time for the slaughter?
The Shaykh : The earliest time for the slaughter is after the 'Id prayer, and it is better for it to be after the prayer and the sermon.
The questioner : Immediately.
The Shaykh : As for the latest time, it is the last of the days of Tashriq. Thus, the time for slaughter is four days, and slaughter is valid on these days, both night and day.
The questioner : At whatever time one wishes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : The defects that prevent the sacrifice from being valid were explained by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the hadith of al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Four things are not permissible in sacrificial animals: the sick one with obvious illness, the one-eyed one with obvious blindness, the lame one with obvious lameness, and the one that is too old, or broken, or emaciated, having no marrow.
أربع لا تجوز في الأضاحي: المريضة البيّن مرضها، والعوراء البيّن عورها، والعرجاء البيّن ضلعها، والكبيرة، أو الكسيرة، أو العجفاء، التي لا مخ فيهاAs for the emaciated animal with no marrow, it is the one that has no marrow in its limbs, because it is generally not good in meat. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited it. Similarly, the completely blind animal does not suffice for the sacrifice, just as the one-eyed animal with obvious blindness does not. Similarly, the lame animal with obvious lameness, or one that has had a limb cut off, does not suffice. Likewise, if it is an old animal that never walks, it does not suffice. And similar to the sick animal with obvious illness is the pregnant animal if labor pains take hold of it, meaning if it is in the process of giving birth and it is unknown whether the offspring will live or die; it does not suffice until it is safely delivered.
The scholars said: Similarly, the one that has been affected by eating dates or other things, if it has been affected, does not suffice until it recovers, because it is exposed to danger.
The questioner : Affected, meaning it ate?
The Shaykh : It means it ate dates and became affected to the point that its rectum was blocked, so it could not breathe and its belly swelled.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, this and similar cases do not suffice.
The questioner : Or is it one with a cut ear?
The Shaykh : As for a defect in its ear,
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : or in its horn, or in its teeth, or in its tail, it suffices, but one without such defects is better and more excellent.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : The earliest and latest time for the slaughter?
The Shaykh : The earliest time for the slaughter is after the 'Id prayer, and it is better for it to be after the prayer and the sermon.
The questioner : Immediately.
The Shaykh : As for the latest time, it is the last of the days of Tashriq. Thus, the time for slaughter is four days, and slaughter is valid on these days, both night and day.
The questioner : At whatever time one wishes.
The Shaykh : Yes.