Rules of Udhiyah According to the Maliki School
The Udhiyah is defined as the animal slaughtered as a form of worship to Allah during the days of sacrifice. It is limited to certain livestock, specifically sheep, cattle, and camels. The practice of Udhiyah was instituted in Medina in the second year after the Hijrah, and all Muslims agree on its legitimacy.
Imam Malik stated, “Udhiyah is a Sunna and not an obligation.” The eligibility to perform Udhiyah applies to every free Muslim, whether resident or traveling, male or female, young or old. However, it is important to note that those in the state of ihram for Hajj do not have to perform Udhiyah according to Maliki scholars.
Conditions for Udhiyah
There are several conditions for the Udhiyah, which include the following:
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised, “Do not sacrifice except for an adult animal, unless it is difficult for you, in which case you may offer a young sheep.” An adult camel is considered one that has reached five years and entered its sixth year; an adult cow is one that has reached three years and entered its fourth; a goat should be at least one year old and entered its second. In the case of sheep, a younger lamb may suffice if it is at least six months old.
- Scholars unanimously agree that the Udhiyah must be free from any physical defects, illness, or being excessively thin. This is supported by the narration from Al-Barra’ ibn ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: “You should not sacrifice an animal that has a visible limp, a visible defect in sight, a visibly sick animal, or one that is extremely emaciated.”
- Participation in the Udhiyah.
According to Imam Malik, partners cannot share the cost of the Udhiyah, as the essence of the practice is the act of sacrifice itself and the shedding of blood, which cannot be divided. However, sharing in the reward and blessings of the Udhiyah is permissible, provided those involved reside in the same household or are close relatives, such as children, siblings, or cousins.
Timing for Sacrifice According to Maliki Scholars
- Days of Sacrifice
Imam Malik reported from Ibn Umar that the Udhiyah lasts for two days following the Day of Sacrifice. Al-Qadi Abul-Wahid further explained that the Udhiyah days include the day of Eid and the two days thereafter, and it is not permitted to sacrifice on the fourth day. The sacrifice should be conducted during the daytime, as stated in the Quran: “And mention the name of Allah during the known days on that which He has provided for them of animals.” This indicates that the sacrifice should occur during the day, not at night.
- Permissible Time for Sacrifice with Intent
The time for sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer. According to Al-Hafiz Ibn Abdul-Barr, there is a consensus among scholars that anyone sacrificing before attending the Eid prayer is not fulfilling their obligation to perform Udhiyah. Moreover, the designation of the animal for sacrifice becomes effective at this time. Therefore, if the owner of the animal dies, it is considered part of their estate. Conversely, if they die after the sacrifice, the animal is recognized as their Udhiyah, and its meat cannot be divided as inheritance.
It is considered Sunnah for the person performing the Udhiyah to carry out the sacrifice themselves, following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Both men and women should partake in this practice, as evidenced by the instruction given to Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) to have his daughters perform the sacrifices with their own hands.
Conditions for Sacrifice
- Pronunciation of the Name at the Time of Sacrifice: Imam Malik believes that the invocation of Allah’s name is obligatory during the sacrifice; however, if one forgets, the animal is still considered valid. If one deliberately omits this, the meat is prohibited for consumption.
- Cutting of the Throat and Both Jugular Veins: These are the two vessels on each side of the neck through which blood flows, as stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “What flows with blood and upon which the name of Allah is mentioned, eat it.”