The Book of ad-Dahaya (Sacrifices)

Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4423

Hadith Text

"The Messenger of Allah forbade eating the meat of sacrificial animals after three days"

Scholarly Commentary

This prohibition was initially established during the early period of Islam to encourage sharing sacrificial meat with the poor and needy, preventing hoarding and promoting social welfare.

Imam an-Nawawi explains this was a temporary ruling specific to the early Muslim community when poverty was widespread. Later, this restriction was abrogated by the Prophet's permission to eat from sacrifices beyond three days.

The Hanafi and Shafi'i schools consider this prohibition to have been abrogated, while the Maliki and Hanbali schools maintain some restrictions based on subsequent narrations.

The wisdom behind the initial prohibition was to teach generosity and prevent wastage, while the subsequent permission reflects the balanced approach of Islamic law adapting to changing circumstances.

Legal Ruling

The majority scholarly position holds that it is permissible to eat sacrificial meat beyond three days, based on the abrogating hadith where the Prophet said: "I had forbidden you from eating sacrificial meat beyond three days so that the rich might give to the poor, but now eat, store, and give charity."