The Book of Sacrifices - Sahih Muslim 1962c

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) addressed us on the day of 'Id al-Adha. He smelt the odour of flesh and he prohibited them from slaughtering (the animals before the 'Id prayer), saying: He who slaughtered the animals (before the 'Id prayer) should do that again (as it is not valid as a sacrifice).

Commentary on the Prohibition

This hadith establishes the fundamental ruling that the sacrificial animal must be slaughtered after the Eid prayer, not before. The Prophet's keen sense of smell detecting the odor of flesh before the prayer indicates his divine insight and vigilance over the community's adherence to Islamic rites.

The command to repeat the sacrifice demonstrates the seriousness of this timing requirement. The wisdom behind this ruling includes: ensuring the sacrifice follows the congregational prayer as an act of worship, distinguishing Islamic practice from pre-Islamic customs, and maintaining the proper sequence of rituals on this blessed day.

Legal Implications

Scholars unanimously agree that sacrificing before the Eid prayer invalidates the udhiyah (sacrifice). The animal slaughtered prematurely becomes ordinary meat rather than a valid sacrifice. The ruling applies to all Muslims performing sacrifice, whether in urban centers or remote areas.

The permissible time for sacrifice extends from after the Eid prayer until sunset on the thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah, with the first day being most virtuous. This timeframe allows the sacrifice to properly follow the prayer, as the Prophet instructed: "Whoever slaughters after the prayer has completed his ritual and followed the way of the Muslims."