Characteristics of the Sacrificial Animal

Question:
May I ask, Honorable Doctor, to address topics related to the sacrificial animal, since the question has come up regarding that, concerning the characteristics of the sacrificial animal, and also regarding whether the sacrifice is for a deceased person or a living one. I would like you to elaborate on these matters at the beginning of this episode, Doctor Salih, if you permit?

Answer:
As for the characteristics of the sacrificial animal, it is required that it has reached the permissible age, because nothing is acceptable from goats except what has completed six months, which is the jadhdh (young goat), and from sheep what has completed a full year, twelve months, and from cattle what has completed two years, and from camels what has completed five years. This is the permissible age. It is also required that the sacrificial animal be free from defects, meaning it should not be lame, or be sick with an obvious illness, or be blind, meaning lacking one of its eyes. These are the most important characteristics of the sacrificial animal: that it be sound, sound from defects that spoil its meat. Essential, yes.
Or defects that diminish its body, defects that diminish its body, or spoil its meat, or if it has not reached the age specified in the texts, then these are not permissible for sacrifice. meaning it has no fat or oil in it.