Sacrifice (Kitab Al-Dahaya) - Sunan Abi Dawud 2791

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "If anyone has sacrificial animal and intends to sacrifice it, and he sights the new moon of Dhul-Hajjah, he must not take any of his hair and nails until he sacrifices."

Commentary on the Prohibition

This hadith establishes the prohibition against cutting hair and nails for one who intends to perform the Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) once the month of Dhul-Hajjah begins. This ruling applies from the sighting of the new moon until after the sacrifice is completed.

The wisdom behind this prohibition is to maintain the wholeness of one's body in preparation for the sacred act of sacrifice, drawing a spiritual parallel between the completeness of the sacrificial animal and the state of the person offering it.

Scope and Application

This ruling specifically applies to the person who has designated an animal for sacrifice and intends to personally offer it. It does not extend to other family members unless they have their own separate sacrificial intentions.

The prohibition includes both hair (from head, beard, or body) and nails (fingers and toes). If one forgetfully cuts hair or nails, they should seek Allah's forgiveness but the sacrifice remains valid.

Chain of Narration Note

Abu Dawud noted scholarly disagreement regarding the name 'Amr b. Muslim in the chain. While some narrators recorded it as 'Umar, the majority position maintains it is 'Amr b. Muslim b. Ukaimah al-Laithi al-Jundu'i.

Such scholarly attention to narrator details demonstrates the meticulous preservation of hadith texts and the careful methodology employed by traditional scholars in verifying prophetic traditions.