I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) observing ('Id) prayer on the Day of Sacrifice (10th of Dhu'l-Hijja) and then delivering a sermon and he said: He who sacrificed the (animal) before offering ('Id) prayer, he should offer again in its stead, and he who did not sacrifice the animal should slaughter it by reciting the name of Allah.
The Book of Sacrifices - Sahih Muslim 1960 d
This narration from Sahih Muslim establishes the proper sequence for the Eid al-Adha rituals, emphasizing that the sacrificial slaughter must occur after the Eid prayer.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's instruction clarifies that the Eid prayer takes precedence over the sacrifice. One who slaughters before the prayer has essentially performed an ordinary slaughter, not the ritual Udhiyah sacrifice.
The command to "offer again in its stead" indicates the importance of proper timing for the ritual's validity. This ruling ensures the sacrifice maintains its specific religious character as an act of worship.
The instruction to recite Allah's name during slaughter applies to all sacrifices, reinforcing that this act is purely for Divine pleasure, distinguishing it from secular slaughter.
Legal Implications
This hadith establishes that the earliest valid time for Udhiyah sacrifice begins immediately after the Eid prayer concludes. Slaughtering before this time invalidates the ritual sacrifice.
The ruling applies regardless of whether the prayer was offered in congregation or individually by those unable to attend.
Scholars agree this sequence preserves the proper hierarchy of Islamic rituals and maintains the distinctive nature of Eid al-Adha observances.