I was with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (on the occasion) of 'Id al-Adha. After he had completed the prayer with people, he found that the goats had been slaughtered, whereupon he said: He who slaughtered sacrificial animal before the prayer should slaughter a goat (again) in its stead and he who has not slaughtered he should slaughter it by reciting the name of Allah.
The Book of Sacrifices - Sahih Muslim 1960 b
This narration from Sahih Muslim establishes the proper timing for the Udhiyah (sacrificial slaughter) during Eid al-Adha, demonstrating the importance of performing acts of worship in their designated sequence as prescribed by the Shari'ah.
Context and Significance
The Prophet's companion witnessed this incident on the day of Eid al-Adha, immediately following the congregational prayer. The timing of the sacrifice is intrinsically linked to the Eid prayer, making the prayer a prerequisite for the validity of the sacrifice.
This hadith emphasizes that the Eid prayer serves as the official commencement time for sacrificial slaughter. Any animal slaughtered before this time does not qualify as a valid Udhiyah.
Legal Rulings Derived
The Prophet's instruction to slaughter another animal indicates that a sacrifice performed before the Eid prayer is invalid and must be repeated. This ruling ensures uniformity in the Muslim community's practice and preserves the sanctity of prescribed rituals.
The command to recite Allah's name (Bismillah) during slaughter reinforces the Islamic requirement of dedicating all acts of worship to Allah alone, distinguishing Muslim sacrifice from pagan practices.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi explained that this hadith establishes the earliest permissible time for sacrificial slaughter begins when the Imam completes the Eid prayer. The wisdom behind this ruling includes: unifying the Muslim community, following the Prophetic example precisely, and distinguishing Islamic practices from pre-Islamic customs where sacrifices were made at dawn.
The ruling applies regardless of whether the early slaughter was done out of ignorance or forgetfulness, demonstrating the importance of maintaining the proper order of Islamic rituals.