Book 4: Prayer

Anas said that God’s Messenger sacrificed with his own hand two horned rams which were white with black markings, mentioned God’s name and said, "God is most great.” He added: I saw him placing his foot on their sides and saying, "In the name of God. God is most great.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger ordered a horned ram with black legs, a black belly and black round the eyes, and it was brought for him to sacrifice. He told ‘A’isha to get the knife, and then told her to sharpen it with a stone. When she had done so he took it, then taking the ram he placed it on the ground and cut its throat. He then said, "In the name of God. O God, accept it from Muhammad, Muhammad’s family and Muhammad’s people.” Then he sacrificed it. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir reported God's Messenger as saying, "Sacrifice only a full- grown animal unless it is difficult for you, in which case sacrifice a she-lamb.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir said the Prophet (ﷺ) gave him some goats to divide among his friends as sacrificial animals, and a yearling remained over. He mentioned it to God’s Messenger, and he said, "Sacrifice it yourself.” In a version he said he told God’s Messenger he had got a lamb, and he replied, "Sacrifice it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to sacrifice and slaughter at the place of prayer. Bukhari transmitted it. (Cf. Chap. 48a)

Jabir reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, "A cow serves for seven, and a camel serves for seven.” Muslim and Abu Dawud transmitted it, the wording being the latter’s.

Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, "When the ten days* come and one of you intends to make sacrifice, he must not touch any of its hair or skin.” A version says, “He must not take hairs or clip nails.” Another says, “If anyone sees the new moon of Dhul Hijja and intends to sacrifice, he must not take any of its hairs or nails.” * The period to which reference is made is the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The day of sacrifice is the tenth. Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God's Messenger as saying, “There are no days in which a good deed is more pleasing to God than these ten days.” On being asked whether not even jihad in God’s path were as pleasing, he replied, “Not even jihad in God’s path, except when a man goes out in person with his property and loses both life and property.” Bukhari transmitted it.