He who slaughtered (the animal as a sacrifice) before the ('Id) prayer. should repeat it (i. e. offer another animal). Thereupon a person stood up and said: Messenger of Allah, that is the day when meat is much desired, and he also made a mention of the need of his neighbour, and perhaps Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) attested it. He (the person who had sacrificed the animal before the 'Id prayer) said: I have a goat of less than one year of age with me and I like it more than two fleshy goats; should I offer it as a sacrifice? He permitted him to do so. He (the narrator) said: I do not know whether this permission was granted to anyone else besides him or not. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) then turned towards two rams. and he slaughtered them, and the people' came to the goats and got them distributed amongst themselves (for offering them as sacrifice).
The Book of Sacrifices - Sahih Muslim 1962a
This narration from Sahih Muslim addresses the crucial timing of the Eid al-Adha sacrifice and demonstrates the Prophet's wisdom in balancing religious obligations with practical human needs.
Timing of the Sacrifice
The hadith establishes that the sacrificial slaughter must occur after the Eid prayer. Anyone who sacrifices before the prayer must repeat the act, as the timing is an essential condition for the validity of the udhiyah (sacrifice).
This ruling emphasizes that the Eid prayer marks the official beginning of the days of sacrifice, and any slaughter before it is considered ordinary meat rather than a ritual sacrifice.
Prophetic Flexibility and Wisdom
When a companion explained his circumstances - mentioning the high demand for meat on Eid and his neighbor's need - the Prophet showed remarkable understanding of human realities.
The man's question about sacrificing a young goat he preferred over two mature goats demonstrates how the Prophet considered individual circumstances while maintaining religious principles.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars note that while the general rule is strict about timing, this incident shows that Islamic law considers people's needs and circumstances. The Prophet's permission in this specific case was likely due to the man's sincere intention and unique situation.
The narrator's uncertainty about whether this exception applied to others indicates that it was a specific ruling for that individual, not a general license to sacrifice before the prayer.
Practical Implementation
The Prophet's own action of sacrificing two rams after the prayer sets the sunnah for Muslims to follow. The distribution of animals among the people shows the communal aspect of this worship and the importance of sharing blessings.
This teaching balances strict adherence to ritual requirements with compassion for human needs, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Islamic jurisprudence.