The Prophet (ﷺ) delivered the Khutba after offering the prayer on the Day of Nahr and said, "Whoever offers the prayer like us and slaughters like us then his Nusuk (sacrifice) will be accepted by Allah. And whoever slaughters his sacrifice before the `Id prayer then he has not done the sacrifice." Abi Burda bin Niyar, the uncle of Al-Bara' said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have slaughtered my sheep before the `Id prayer and I thought today as a day of eating and drinking (not alcoholic drinks), and I liked that my sheep should be the first to be slaughtered in my house. So slaughtered my sheep and took my food before coming for the prayer." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The sheep which you have slaughtered is just mutton (not a Nusuk)." He (Abu Burda) said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have a young she-goat which is dearer to me than two sheep. Will that be sufficient as a Nusuk on my behalf? "The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Yes, it will be sufficient for you but it will not be sufficient (as a Nusuk) for anyone else after you."
The Two Festivals (Eids) - Sahih al-Bukhari 955
This hadith establishes the proper timing for Eid al-Adha sacrifice and clarifies the conditions for its validity according to Islamic law.
Timing of the Sacrifice
The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly stated that the sacrifice must be performed after the Eid prayer. Anyone who slaughters before the prayer has not fulfilled the ritual properly.
This timing is essential because the Eid prayer marks the official beginning of the days of sacrifice. The sacrifice is an act of worship connected to the congregation's collective observance.
Abu Burda's Case and Resolution
Abu Burda's premature slaughter, though done with good intention, was invalid as a ritual sacrifice. The Prophet declared it merely ordinary meat (mutton).
The Prophet's allowance of the young she-goat as a substitute demonstrates Islamic jurisprudence's flexibility in considering individual circumstances while maintaining religious principles.
Legal Rulings Derived
Sacrifice before Eid prayer is invalid for Eid al-Adha purposes, though the meat remains permissible for consumption.
A more valuable animal can substitute for a less valuable one in sacrifice, provided it meets the minimum requirements.
Special dispensations given to individuals based on their specific circumstances do not establish general precedent for others.