The Book of Sacrifices - Sahih Muslim 1969b

He led us in prayer before delivering the sermon and then addressed the people saying: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has forbidden you to eat the flesh of your sacrificial animals beyond three nights, so do not eat that.

Commentary on the Prohibition

This hadith establishes a temporal limitation on consuming sacrificial meat, restricting it to three days following the sacrifice. The wisdom behind this prohibition includes preventing hoarding and ensuring wider distribution of blessings among the community, particularly to the poor and needy.

Scholars note this ruling was initially prescribed during earlier periods of Islam but was later abrogated, as evidenced by other authentic narrations where the Prophet (ﷺ) permitted unlimited consumption. However, this hadith remains significant for understanding the gradual legislation in Islamic law and the principle of catering to changing social circumstances.

The sequence of prayer before sermon demonstrates the Prophetic sunnah of prioritizing worship before addressing communal matters, emphasizing that religious obligations precede worldly affairs in importance and timing.

Juridical Implications

Classical scholars differed regarding the abrogation timeline, with majority holding that the permanent ruling permits indefinite consumption while encouraging timely distribution. The three-day limit serves as an exemplary model for moderation and charity.

This teaching reinforces the Islamic principle that sacrificial rites are not merely personal rituals but contain social dimensions requiring consideration of community welfare and the rights of the less fortunate.