On which days is the obligatory sacrifice (Qurban) performed? According to the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools of thought.
On which days is the obligatory sacrifice (Qurban) performed? What is the timing of the sacrifice according to the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools of thought?
The obligatory sacrifice offered during Eid al-Adha is one of the important acts of worship in Islam. However, one of the most frequently asked questions by Muslims is, "On which days is the obligatory sacrifice performed?"
For the sacrifice to be valid, it must be performed within the specified time period. Animals slaughtered outside of the days of Eid al-Adha do not count as a valid sacrifice. Therefore, knowing the correct time for slaughtering the sacrifice is of great importance.
There are some differences between the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools of thought regarding the timing of the sacrifice. In this article, we examine the views of both schools in light of reliable religious sources.
The Days of Sacrifice in the Quran
Allah Almighty states that the sacrifice is to be performed on specific days:
“That they may mention the name of Allah over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them on certain days…”
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22/28)
In another verse, it is stated:
“For every nation We have ordained a ritual that they may mention the name of Allah over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them.”
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22/34)
The “known days” mentioned in these verses indicate that the sacrifice is to be performed on specific days.
When is the Obligatory Sacrifice Performed According to the Hanafi School of Thought?
According to the Hanafi school of thought, the time for performing the sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer on the first day of Eid al-Adha.
The sacrifice;
The sacrifice can be performed on the 1st day of Eid,the 2nd day of Eid,and the 3rd day of Eid until sunset.
An animal slaughtered before the Eid prayer is not considered a valid sacrifice. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding this:
“Whoever slaughters the sacrifice before the prayer has prepared meat for himself; whoever slaughters it after the prayer has completed his sacrifice and followed the Sunnah of the Muslims.”
(Bukhari, Eidain, 8; Muslim, Adahi, 7)
According to the Hanafi school of thought, the time for slaughtering the sacrifice ends at sunset on the third day.
When is the obligatory sacrifice performed according to the Shafi'i school of thought?
In the Shafi'i school, while the sacrifice is considered a confirmed Sunnah, the time for slaughtering the sacrifice is slightly longer than in the Hanafi school.
According to the Shafi'i school of thought, the sacrifice can be performed on:
The 1st day of Eid,The 2nd day of Eid,The 3rd day of Eid,The 4th day of Eid (until the end of the Tashriq days).
In other words, according to the Shafi'i school, the period for slaughtering the sacrifice continues until sunset on the fourth day of Eid.
What are the Tashriq Days?
The second, third, and fourth days of Eid al-Adha are called the Tashriq days.
These days are blessed days when the sacrifice is performed, Allah is frequently remembered, and Muslims experience the joy of the holiday.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The Tashriq days are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.”
(Muslim, Siyam, 144)
Why Should Attention Be Paid to the Time of Slaughtering the Sacrifice?
In the act of sacrifice, timing is as important as intention.
An animal slaughtered outside the designated time does not fulfill the obligation of sacrifice. Therefore, the sacrifice must be performed within the time frame determined by the schools of thought and in accordance with Islamic procedures.
Furthermore, the following are considered proper etiquette for the sacrifice:
It must be healthy,It must meet the age requirement,It must be religiously suitable for sacrifice,It must be slaughtered with the recitation of Bismillah (in the name of Allah),And the animal must not be subjected to cruelty.
The Opinion of the Directorate of Religious Affairs
According to the Directorate of Religious Affairs, the practice in Turkey is based on the Hanafi school of thought.
Accordingly, the time for slaughtering the sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer and continues until sunset on the third day of Eid al-Adha.
However, for Muslims belonging to the Shafi'i school of thought, slaughtering the sacrifice is considered permissible until sunset on the fourth day.
Conclusion
Slaughtering the obligatory sacrifice within the designated times is one of the fundamental conditions for the validity of the act of worship.
According to the Hanafi school of thought, the sacrificial animal can be slaughtered during the first three days of Eid al-Adha, starting after the Eid prayer and continuing until sunset on the third day.
According to the Shafi'i school of thought, the slaughtering period extends until sunset on the fourth day of Eid.
Muslims should perform the sacrifice according to the Islamic procedure and in accordance with the views of their respective schools of thought. In this way, this important act of worship is performed in accordance with God's command.
Sources
QuranSurah Al-Hajj 22/28Surah Al-Hajj 22/34Surah Al-Kawthar 108/2Hadith SourcesSahih al-Bukhari, Eidain, 8Sahih Muslim, Adahi, 7Sahih Muslim, Siyam, 144Fiqh SourcesImam Kasani, Badai' al-Sanai'Ibn Abidin, Radd al-MuhtarImam Nawawi, al-Majmu' Sharh al-MuhadhdhabImam Shirbini, Mughni al-MuhtajCurrent Reference SourcesTurkish Religious Affairs Presidency, High Council of Religious Affairs FatwasTurkish Religious Affairs Presidency, Sacrifice Guide
For the sacrifice to be valid, it must be performed within the specified time period. Animals slaughtered outside of the days of Eid al-Adha do not count as a valid sacrifice. Therefore, knowing the correct time for slaughtering the sacrifice is of great importance.
There are some differences between the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools of thought regarding the timing of the sacrifice. In this article, we examine the views of both schools in light of reliable religious sources.
The Days of Sacrifice in the Quran
Allah Almighty states that the sacrifice is to be performed on specific days:
“That they may mention the name of Allah over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them on certain days…”
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22/28)
In another verse, it is stated:
“For every nation We have ordained a ritual that they may mention the name of Allah over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them.”
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22/34)
The “known days” mentioned in these verses indicate that the sacrifice is to be performed on specific days.
When is the Obligatory Sacrifice Performed According to the Hanafi School of Thought?
According to the Hanafi school of thought, the time for performing the sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer on the first day of Eid al-Adha.
The sacrifice;
The sacrifice can be performed on the 1st day of Eid,the 2nd day of Eid,and the 3rd day of Eid until sunset.
An animal slaughtered before the Eid prayer is not considered a valid sacrifice. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding this:
“Whoever slaughters the sacrifice before the prayer has prepared meat for himself; whoever slaughters it after the prayer has completed his sacrifice and followed the Sunnah of the Muslims.”
(Bukhari, Eidain, 8; Muslim, Adahi, 7)
According to the Hanafi school of thought, the time for slaughtering the sacrifice ends at sunset on the third day.
When is the obligatory sacrifice performed according to the Shafi'i school of thought?
In the Shafi'i school, while the sacrifice is considered a confirmed Sunnah, the time for slaughtering the sacrifice is slightly longer than in the Hanafi school.
According to the Shafi'i school of thought, the sacrifice can be performed on:
The 1st day of Eid,The 2nd day of Eid,The 3rd day of Eid,The 4th day of Eid (until the end of the Tashriq days).
In other words, according to the Shafi'i school, the period for slaughtering the sacrifice continues until sunset on the fourth day of Eid.
What are the Tashriq Days?
The second, third, and fourth days of Eid al-Adha are called the Tashriq days.
These days are blessed days when the sacrifice is performed, Allah is frequently remembered, and Muslims experience the joy of the holiday.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The Tashriq days are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.”
(Muslim, Siyam, 144)
Why Should Attention Be Paid to the Time of Slaughtering the Sacrifice?
In the act of sacrifice, timing is as important as intention.
An animal slaughtered outside the designated time does not fulfill the obligation of sacrifice. Therefore, the sacrifice must be performed within the time frame determined by the schools of thought and in accordance with Islamic procedures.
Furthermore, the following are considered proper etiquette for the sacrifice:
It must be healthy,It must meet the age requirement,It must be religiously suitable for sacrifice,It must be slaughtered with the recitation of Bismillah (in the name of Allah),And the animal must not be subjected to cruelty.
The Opinion of the Directorate of Religious Affairs
According to the Directorate of Religious Affairs, the practice in Turkey is based on the Hanafi school of thought.
Accordingly, the time for slaughtering the sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer and continues until sunset on the third day of Eid al-Adha.
However, for Muslims belonging to the Shafi'i school of thought, slaughtering the sacrifice is considered permissible until sunset on the fourth day.
Conclusion
Slaughtering the obligatory sacrifice within the designated times is one of the fundamental conditions for the validity of the act of worship.
According to the Hanafi school of thought, the sacrificial animal can be slaughtered during the first three days of Eid al-Adha, starting after the Eid prayer and continuing until sunset on the third day.
According to the Shafi'i school of thought, the slaughtering period extends until sunset on the fourth day of Eid.
Muslims should perform the sacrifice according to the Islamic procedure and in accordance with the views of their respective schools of thought. In this way, this important act of worship is performed in accordance with God's command.
Sources
QuranSurah Al-Hajj 22/28Surah Al-Hajj 22/34Surah Al-Kawthar 108/2Hadith SourcesSahih al-Bukhari, Eidain, 8Sahih Muslim, Adahi, 7Sahih Muslim, Siyam, 144Fiqh SourcesImam Kasani, Badai' al-Sanai'Ibn Abidin, Radd al-MuhtarImam Nawawi, al-Majmu' Sharh al-MuhadhdhabImam Shirbini, Mughni al-MuhtajCurrent Reference SourcesTurkish Religious Affairs Presidency, High Council of Religious Affairs FatwasTurkish Religious Affairs Presidency, Sacrifice Guide