What is the ruling on the 'Id sacrifice: is it obligatory or a recommended practice?

The questioner : What is the ruling on the 'Id sacrifice: is it obligatory or a recommended practice? If it is a recommended practice, how do we deal with the hadith of Umm Salama in Muslim, which says: ? It is known that al-San'ani quoted al-Shafi'i as saying that delegating the matter to the will indicates that it is not obligatory?

The Shaykh : The reality is that this is a doubt that has no value from the perspective of the texts of the Shari'ah. We say that attributing a command to a person's will has a very significant relationship to our topic... that is, a person is obligated to perform worship and obedience, so he must intend it, perform it, and carry it out. If he does not intend it, Allah the Exalted does not impose it on him as an obligation or restrict him to it. No, the point in attributing the ruling of one who intends to sacrifice to the person's will is this aspect. This is very clear in the Noble Qur'an itself: So, adhering to this understanding, unfortunately, this understanding has been attributed to some of the imams. Based on this understanding, it would be analogized that adhering to the straight path is not obligatory. Why? Because Allah the Exalted attributed it to our will. Everything we are commanded to do requires our will and intention to perform it. Therefore, before knowing what has been reserved for us or hidden from us regarding such questions, we said that will is of two types: cosmic will and legislative will. The discussion is not about cosmic will, but about legislative will. You must do it; if you do not do it, the matter shifts from legislative will to cosmic will, because nothing happens in this universe... except by Allah the Exalted. So here, when Allah the Exalted said: , why did He attribute adhering to the straight path to will? Because all legislative obligations are linked to it. An example of what we are saying, although the verse is sufficient and comprehensive in that, but by way of elaboration, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . Here too, the will is attributed to the person. In what? In Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Does that mean that Hajj... is not obligatory? The answer is no, but every obligation requires a will that issues from this person for him to become obligated. Otherwise, if he has no will, there is no obligation on him. Therefore, the pen is lifted from three, as you know, in the authentic hadith: , and others.
'Id 'Abassi: In addition to what has been mentioned, this hadith is not presented or cited for...

The Shaykh : Yes.
'Id 'Abassi: explaining the ruling on the 'Id sacrifice, but rather to explain something else, which is that one should not take anything from his head or his nails. As for what is specifically cited for that purpose, it is, for example, the hadith: . Here, the ruling is explained, whereas that one explains the prohibition of taking anything from one's nails or hair.

The Shaykh : Correct.
'Id 'Abassi: What is the minimum age that is sufficient for the 'Id sacrifice, with an explanation of the term "jadh'ah"?