When is the Main Time for Sacrificing Sacrificial Animals? Here's the Explanation!

Dream – Sacrificing sacrificial animals is routinely done by Muslims during the celebration of Eid al-Adha, which falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Hijri calendar. Like Eid al-Fitr, the determination of Eid al-Adha also has to wait for the decision of the government through the method of rukyat and hilal.

In addition to the day of Eid al-Adha, people can still perform the sacrifice on the Tashreeq days, which are the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah.

During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims who have excess wealth are encouraged to sacrifice sacrificial animals. This practice is done as part of worship and respect for the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who was ready to sacrifice his son at the command of Allah SWT. This sacrifice symbolizes obedience, loyalty, and submission to Allah.

To be able to fulfill this worship, every Muslim must pay attention to the requirements and criteria of sacrificial animals that fulfill shariah regulations. Do not let the intention to fulfill the command of Allah SWT be hindered because of not meeting those requirements. 

In addition to the selection of sacrificial animals, another question that is often asked is when is the most preferred time to sacrifice sacrificial animals? To answer that, let's find out more information below!

The Most Preferred Time to Sacrifice Sacrificial Animals

The time for sacrificing sacrificial animals is four days. However, there is a specific time that is considered the most preferred for sacrificing sacrificial animals. According to Imam Shafi'i, the time for sacrificing sacrificial animals is four days, namely the day of Eid al-Adha on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah after the 'id prayer, and the days of Tashreeq, which are the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Sacrificing sacrificial animals must be done at the designated time. If it is done outside of that time, the sacrifice is not valid.

The time for sacrificing sacrificial animals starts from the completion of the Eid al-Adha prayer until sunset on the last day of the Tashreeq days. Although there are four days for sacrificing, scholars agree that Muslims should hasten the sacrifice of sacrificial animals.

Therefore, the most preferred time to sacrifice sacrificial animals is on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, precisely during the celebration of Eid al-Adha. Sacrificing sacrificial animals on the day of Eid al-Adha is better and more preferred than on the days of Tashreeq.

Goodness Must Be Hastened

The main time for sacrificing sacrificial animals on Eid al-Adha is based on the explanation in the book Al-Mausu'ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaitiyyah. In the book, it is mentioned that sacrificing is equivalent to doing good, so hastening the sacrifice is the same as hastening goodness.

“It is recommended to immediately sacrifice sacrificial animals. Sacrificing sacrificial animals on the first day (Eid al-Adha) is more preferred than the following days (Tashreeq days). This is considered hastening goodness, and Allah has said: And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.”

The Basis for Determining

The basis for the most preferred time to sacrifice sacrificial animals on Eid al-Adha is also supported by the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is in accordance with the hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, Imam Abu Dawud, and Imam Tirmidhi.

“I attended the Eid al-Adha prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in the prayer ground. After he delivered the sermon, he descended from the pulpit and a goat was brought to him. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sacrificed it with his own hand, while saying: In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. This goat is from me and from those who did not offer sacrifice among my ummah.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed sacrificial animals on Eid al-Adha, specifically after performing the Eid al-Adha prayer. This indicates that sacrificing sacrificial animals on Eid al-Adha is a sunnah and in accordance with the actions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sacrificing on the Tashreeq days is still valid and can be done according to the circumstances.

That is the explanation of the most preferred time for sacrificing sacrificial animals in Islam. May we all be among the obedient servants who comply with the command of Allah SWT.