The Book on Sacrifices - Jami' at-Tirmidhi

Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1504

Text of the Hadith

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited that an animal with a A'dab (stump) horn or ear should be slaughtered as a sacrifice." Qatadah (one of the narrators) said: "So I mentioned this to Sa'eed bin Al-Musayyab and he said: 'The A'dab is that which equals or more than that.'"

Scholarly Commentary

This noble hadith establishes that animals offered as sacrifices must be free from apparent defects that diminish their value or perfection. The term "A'dab" refers to an animal whose horn or ear is broken or cut off at the root, making the defect permanent and substantial.

The clarification from Sa'eed bin Al-Musayyab, a prominent tabi'i scholar, specifies that the prohibition applies when the missing portion equals or exceeds half of the horn or ear. This ruling ensures the sacrificial animal maintains its completeness and excellence, reflecting the spirit of offering one's best to Allah.

Scholars explain that such defects reduce the animal's value and perfection, contradicting the Quranic injunction to offer what is good and wholesome. This prohibition falls under the category of "clear defects" (al-'awar al-bayyinah) that invalidate an animal for udhiyah (sacrifice).

The wisdom behind this ruling includes: honoring the rites of Allah, demonstrating sincerity in worship, and ensuring the sacrificial meat distributed is from healthy, complete animals. Minor defects not affecting the meat's quality or the animal's primary value are generally excused.