Eat, then, of that over which God’s name has been pronounced, if you truly believe in His revelations. (Surah 6:118) & Do not eat of (the animal) over which the name of Allah has not been pronounced (at the time of its slaughtering), for that is a transgression. And behold, the evil ones do inspire doubts and objections into the hearts of their friends so that they dispute with you; but if you obey them, you will surely yourselves turn into those who associate others with Allah in His divinity. (Surah 6:121)
Islam frequently lays emphasis on the pronouncing of Allah’s name when slaughtering animals. It prohibits anything that is consecrated to any other being, which indicates the importance Islam attaches to the purification of human life from all forms of idolatry and all that leads to it. Because it is based on the principle of Allah’s oneness in its purest sense, Islam does not aim merely at purifying human imagination and conscience. It pursues idolatry in all its manifestations, striving to eliminate its marks in man’s consciousness, worship rituals and general behaviour. Life, Islam says, is one indivisible entity and must be treated as such. It must be cleansed inside out and completely oriented towards Allah (SWT), in all its aspects: worship, tradition and social behaviour.
Many nations have imposed on themselves superfluous religious taboos, which include a variety of dietary restrictions.
On the one hand, they have declared lawful many of the things which Allah (SWT) has forbidden.
On the other, there are many things which Allah (SWT) has made lawful but which some people have forbidden to themselves.
Some people have even gone so far as to consider eating animals slaughtered in the name of Allah as unlawful, while those slaughtered with no mention of Allah's name may be eaten. Allah (SWT) repudiates this and urges the Muslims - if they really believe in Him and obey His injunctions - to smash the superstitious and prejudiced notions contrived by human beings in disregard of Allah's revealed guidance, and to recognise as unlawful all that Allah has declared to be unlawful, and as lawful all that Allah has declared to be lawful.
The Quran emphasizes whether Allah’s name is invoked at the time of their slaughter or not. This theme reiterates the basic Islamic concept acknowledging Allah’s absolute authority over everything in the universe, and His unquestionable sovereignty and right to legislate. Human beings are denied any share of this authority and sovereignty. Within the framework of this concept, every violation, large or small, acquires the same degree of importance.
Having made this long factual introduction, the next ayah moves on to discuss the question of slaughtered animals based on the fundamental that over which Allah’s name has been pronounced, if you truly believe in His revelations.
وَمَا لَـكُمۡ اَلَّا تَاۡكُلُوۡا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسۡمُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيۡهِ وَقَدۡ فَصَّلَ لَـكُمۡ مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ اِلَّا مَا اضۡطُرِرۡتُمۡ اِلَيۡهِؕ وَاِنَّ كَثِيۡرًا لَّيُضِلُّوۡنَ بِاَهۡوَآئِهِمۡ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِالۡمُعۡتَدِيۡنَ
And how is it that you do not eat of that over which Allah's name has been pronounced even though He has clearly spelled out to you what He has forbidden you unless you are constrained to it? Many indeed say misleading things without knowledge, driven merely by their lowly desires. But your Lord knows well the transgressors. (Surah 6:119)
They are then asked why they should not eat of such animals over which Allah’s name has been mentioned. They are reminded that Allah (SWT) has detailed for them what He has forbidden them, unless they are compelled to eat it out of necessity. With such explanation, every argument concerning the permissibility or prohibition of meat is over: “And why should you not eat of that over which Allah’s name has been pronounced when He has clearly spelled out to you what He has forbidden you (to eat), unless you are driven to do so by sheer necessity?” (Ayah 119) These statements directly addressed a major issue in Arabian society. The unbelievers used to forbid themselves the eating of certain animals which Allah (SWT) had made lawful, and they made lawful certain animals which Allah (SWT) had forbidden. They claimed that their action relied on Allah’s legislation. Hence, the sūrah gives its verdict concerning those who made false claims and who sought to exercise an authority that belongs to Allah (SWT) alone. It states that what they legislated was a manifestation of their own vain desires, one based on total ignorance. They led people astray by the laws they issued and usurped Allah’s authority to legislate: “Many people lead others astray by their errant views and lack of knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of those who transgress.”
Allah (SWT) also mentions in the Quran:
قُلۡ اِنَّ صَلَاتِىۡ وَنُسُكِىۡ وَ مَحۡيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِىۡ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَۙ
Say: 'Surely my Prayer, all my acts of worship, and my living and my dying are for Allah alone, the Lord of the whole universe. (Surah 6:162)
وَلِكُلِّ اُمَّةٍ جَعَلۡنَا مَنۡسَكًا لِّيَذۡكُرُوا اسۡمَ اللّٰهِ عَلٰى مَا رَزَقَهُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَهِيۡمَةِ الۡاَنۡعَامِ ؕ فَاِلٰهُكُمۡ اِلٰـهٌ وَّاحِدٌ فَلَهٗۤ اَسۡلِمُوۡا ؕ وَبَشِّرِ الۡمُخۡبِتِيۡنَ ۙ
For every people We have laid down a ritual of sacrifice (although the purpose of the ritual is the same) that they pronounce the name of Allah over the cattle He has provided them. Your Lord is One Allah (SWT); so submit yourselves to Him alone. And give, (O Prophet), glad tidings to those that humble themselves (before Allah) (Surah 22:34)
This ayah pronounce the name of Allah over the cattle He has provided them. implies two things:
Sacrifice has been an essential part of the worship of One Allah in all the revealed religions. In order to inculcate Tawheed, Allah prohibited sacrifice for anyone other than Himself. This was in keeping with the other prohibitions which were made for others than Allah. For instance, prostration before anyone other than Allah, making vows for others than Allah, visiting holy places others than those prescribed by Allah, fasting in the name of others than of Allah, etc., were all prohibited.
The other thing which has been common in all the revealed religions was the object of the sacrifice in the name of Allah though its details have been different in different religions, times and countries.
The Arabic word (الۡمُخۡبِتِيۡنَ) mukhbitin has no equivalent in English. It includes those who
Give up pride, arrogance and adopt humility before Allah.
Surrender themselves to His service and slavery.
Accept His decrees sincerely.
According to Hadith, Narrated Al-Bara': I heard the Prophet (pbuh) delivering a Khutba saying, "The first thing to be done on this day (first day of `Id ul Adha) is to pray; and after returning from the prayer we slaughter our sacrifices (in the name of Allah) and whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (traditions)."
حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي زُبَيْدٌ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الشَّعْبِيَّ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَخْطُبُ فَقَالَ " إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا نَبْدَأُ مِنْ يَوْمِنَا هَذَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ، ثُمَّ نَرْجِعَ فَنَنْحَرَ، فَمَنْ فَعَلَ فَقَدْ أَصَابَ سُنَّتَنَا ".
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 951; Book 13, Hadith 3; Vol. 2, Book 15, Hadith 71
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: "I attended the Eid Al-Adha' with the Prophet (pbuh) at the Musalla. When he finished his Khutbah, he descended from his Minbar and was given a male sheep. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) slaughtered it with his hand and said: 'Bismillah, Wa Allahu Akbar, this from me and whoever does not slaughter from my Ummah.'" (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ أَبِي عَمْرٍو، عَنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ شَهِدْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الأَضْحَى بِالْمُصَلَّى فَلَمَّا قَضَى خُطْبَتَهُ نَزَلَ عَنْ مِنْبَرِهِ فَأُتِيَ بِكَبْشٍ فَذَبَحَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِيَدِهِ وَقَالَ " بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ هَذَا عَنِّي وَعَمَّنْ لَمْ يُضَحِّ مِنْ أُمَّتِي " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ . وَالْعَمَلُ عَلَى هَذَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَغَيْرِهِمْ أَنْ يَقُولَ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا ذَبَحَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَهُوَ قَوْلُ ابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ . وَالْمُطَّلِبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حَنْطَبٍ يُقَالُ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَسْمَعْ مِنْ جَابِرٍ .
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1521; Book 19, Hadith 33; Vol. 3, Book 17, Hadith 1521
Conditions of udhiyah:
The animal should have reached the required age, which is six months for a lamb, one year for a goat, two years for a cow and five years for a camel.
It should be free of any faults, because Ubaid bin Fairuz said: "I said to Al-Bara bin Azib: 'Tell me of the sacrificial animals that the Messenger of Allah dislike or forbade. He said: "The Messenger of Allah gestured like this with his hand, and my hands are shorter than the hand of the Messenger of Allah, (and he said). 'There are four that will not do as sacrifices: The animal that clearly has one bad eye: the sick animals that is obviously sick; the lame animal with an obvious lamp; and the animal that is so emaciated that it is as if there is no marrow in its bones: He said: "And I dislike that the animal should have some fault in its horns or ears." He said: "What you dislike, forget about it, and do not make it forbidden to anyone." (Grade:Sahih) Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4370; Book 43, Hadith 10; Vol. 5, Book 43, Hadith 4375 Udhiyah is an act of worship to Allah, and Allah is Good and accepts only that which is good. Whoever honours the rites of Allah, this has to do with the piety (taqwa) of the heart.
It is forbidden to sell it. If an animal has been selected for sacrifice, it is not permissible to sell it or give it away, except in exchange for one that is better. If an animal gives birth, its offspring should be sacrificed along with it.
It is also permissible to ride it if necessary. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: the Messenger of Allah saw a man driving a Badanah (Sacrificial camel) and said: "Ride it." He said: "O Messenger of Allah, it is a Badanah." He said: "Ride it, woe to you!" the second or third time. (Grade: Sahih) Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2799; Book 24, Hadith 181; Vol. 3, Book 24, Hadith 2801
It should be sacrificed at the specified time, which is from after the prayer and khutbah of Eid – not from when the time for the prayer and khutbah starts – until before sunset on the last of the days of Tashreeq, which is the 13th day of Dhu’l-Hijjah. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever sacrifices before the prayer, let him repeat it.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). ‘Ali (ra) said: “The days of Nahr (Sacrifice) are the day of al-Adhaa and the three days following it.” This is also the opinion of al-Hasan al-Basri, ‘Ata’ ibn Abi Rabaah, al-Oozaa’i, al-Shaafa'i and Ibn al-Mundhir, may Allaah have mercy on them all.
Etiquettes of offering udhiyah on eid day
1. The animal should be slaughtered with a sharp knife to avoid causing undue suffering.
2. The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animal.
3. No animal should be slaughtered in the presence of another.
4. It is best to slaughter the animal yourself, but if you do not know how, you should remain present whilst someone else sacrifices the creature.
5. It is also necessary to say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" when slaughtering the animal. Slaughtered animals are not to be skinned until completely cold.
Narrated by Ali bin Abu Talib (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) commanded him to distribute the entire sacrificial camel – its meat, skin and covers – among the poor. (Grade: Sahih)
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3157; Book 26, Hadith 38; Vol. 4, Book 26, Hadith 3157
Ali (ra) also Narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) sent me to supervise the (slaughtering of) Budn (Hadi camels) and ordered me to distribute their meat, and then he ordered me to distribute their covering sheets and skins. 'All added, "The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered me to supervise the slaughtering (of the Budn) and not to give anything (of their bodies) to the butcher as wages for slaughtering."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1716; Book 25, Hadith 194; Vol. 2, Book 26, Hadith 774
The division of the udhiyah into three portions was narrated from some of the Sahabah (ra), but the matter is broad in scope. What matters is that some of it should reach the poor and needy. Ibn ‘Umar (ra) said: With regard to the meat from the sacrificial animals, one third should be for your family, one third for yourself, and one third for the poor. Something similar was narrated from Ibn Mas‘ood (ra).
If the one who offers the sacrifice gives some of the meat to one poor Muslim, even if it is only one, after that he may give it in charity to non-Muslims too. Ibn Qudaamah (ra) said: It is permissible to give some of it – i.e., the udhiyah meat – to a disbeliever. This is the view of al-Hasan, Abu Thawr and ashaab ar-ra’y. That is because it is charity that is voluntarily given, so it is permissible to give it to a dhimmi (non-Muslim living under Muslim rule) and prisoners of war, as in the case of other kinds of voluntary charity. But in the case of obligatory charity, it is not acceptable to give it to a disbeliever, because it is obligatory charity and therefore is more akin to zakaah and kafaarat yamen (expiation for breaking an oath).
Rest Allah (SWT) knows best.
Source: Quran, Hadith, In the shade of the Quran, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Islam QA