Is there a minimum age for the sacrificial animal below which it is not permissible?

Al-Halabi : Is there a minimum age for the sacrificial animal below which it is not permissible?

The Shaykh : In my opinion, it should not be less than six months old, because that is the minimum age mentioned. It has also been said that it should be a *thaniyyah* (an animal in its second year), meaning it has entered its second year. This is based on the linguistic usage; it is said in the language that it should be like this and like that. However, the juristic reconciliation brings the matter closer by stating that if the sacrificial animal is six months old, but it is large and fat, such that a person looking at it would assume it is a year old, then it may be sacrificed. However, if it is less than six months old, and there is no scholarly opinion permitting it, then it is not permissible. This is unlike the *'aqiqah* (sacrifice for a newborn), which does not have such a condition.
Al-Halabi : You mean that for the *'aqiqah*, anything is permissible?

The Shaykh : Yes.
Al-Halabi : Even if it is small?
Abu Layla : Shaykh, regarding the *udhiyah* (sacrificial animal), well, currently there are ...

The Shaykh : Regarding the *'aqiqah*, the opinion is that it is permissible even if it is less than six months old. I need to know from the linguists whether they understand the word *shat* (sheep) to include a small one. If that is understood, then what I said earlier applies. But if the word *shat* is not used except for a specific age, for example six months or older, then we should adhere to that meaning. However, I have not found, within the limits of my ability and in the books I have consulted, anything that explains this point to me.
Abu Layla : Regarding the *udhiyah*, Shaykh, well, currently some livestock officials give them substances and hormones to make them grow larger. So if its appearance is that of an animal older than six months, but its actual age is less...

The Shaykh : Less than what?

The questioner : Less than six months?

The Shaykh : No, we did not say that just now.
Abu Layla : Well, we do not know, Shaykh, whether its appearance and our assessment of it...

The Shaykh : You are assuming this. The answer depends on the question.

The questioner : Is the *udhiyah* six months old or older?

The Shaykh : Allow me a moment to see what it means. Do you know if its age is less than six months or not?
Abu Layla : I do not know.

The Shaykh : Then what do you know?
Abu Layla : Its appearance.

The Shaykh : We said earlier that if a person sees it and says its age is six months or older, and perhaps it is considered a year old because it is large and fat, then it is fine. But if he knows that it is less than six months old, then it is not permissible.

The questioner : Even if it is large and fat?

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Shaykh, regarding the *udhiyah* being six months old, is there no evidence?

The Shaykh : There is no evidence; linguistically, they say it should be like this.

The questioner : The *udhiyah*?

The Shaykh : Yes, the *udhiyah*.

The questioner : You mean the language says that a sheep is a sacrificial animal?

The Shaykh : No, no, it says *jadh'ah*.

The questioner : *Jadh'ah*, yes, and *thaniyyah*, and...