He who observes prayer like our prayer and turns his face towards our Qibla (in prayer) and who offers sacrifices (of animals) as we do, he must not slaughter the (animal as a sacrifice) until he has completed the prayer. Thereupon my maternal uncle said: Messenger of Allah, I have sacrificed the animal on behalf of my son. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: This is the thing in which you have made haste for your family. He said: I have a goat with me better than two goats. Thereupon he said: Sacrifice it for that is the best.
The Book of Sacrifices - Sahih Muslim 1961d
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim contains profound guidance regarding the proper sequence and etiquette of Eid al-Adha prayers and sacrifice.
Timing of the Sacrifice
The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly prohibited sacrificing animals before completing the Eid prayer, establishing that the prayer must precede the sacrifice. This sequence is a distinguishing characteristic of Muslim practice.
The wisdom behind this ruling ensures that the sacrifice remains an act of worship performed in its proper time, following the communal prayer that marks the beginning of Eid al-Adha.
The Uncle's Premature Sacrifice
When the maternal uncle informed the Prophet that he had already sacrificed before the prayer, the Messenger gently corrected him, describing it as "haste for his family." This indicates that while the intention may have been good, the timing violated the prescribed order.
The Prophet's response demonstrates the principle that acts of worship must be performed according to divine prescription, not personal preference or convenience.
Quality Over Quantity in Sacrifice
When the uncle mentioned having a superior goat better than two ordinary ones, the Prophet approved sacrificing it, affirming that quality is preferred over quantity in offerings to Allah.
This teaches us that in acts of worship, sincerity and excellence are valued more than mere numerical superiority. A single high-quality sacrifice offered with proper intention is superior to multiple inferior ones.
Scholarly Consensus
The majority of scholars hold that sacrificing before the Eid prayer is invalid based on this hadith. The proper time begins after the prayer concludes and extends through the Days of Tashreeq.
This ruling applies specifically to the Udhiyah (Eid sacrifice) and not to other types of slaughtering for regular consumption.