In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, his family, and all his companions. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

O radiant assembly! Let us humbly present our greetings and salutations in the court of the Intercessor of the Day of Resurrection ﷺ! O Allah, send Your blessings, peace, and grace upon our Master, our Beloved Muhammad, and his family and companions.

Definition of Sacrifice (Qurbani)

Brothers in Islam! The animal slaughtered during the Days of Sacrifice (Ayyam al-Nahr) with the intention of seeking closeness to Allah is termed Qurbani in Islamic terminology. Sadr al-Shari’ah, Allamah Amjad Ali A’zami (رحمة الله عليه) states:
“Sacrifice is the ritual slaughter of a specific animal on specific days with the intention of seeking nearness to Allah. Sometimes, the animal itself is referred to as Udhiyah or Qurbani. Sacrifice is the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام), preserved for this Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.”

Legitimacy of Sacrifice

Respected brethren! Sacrifice is obligatory (Wajib) upon every financially capable Muslim. Allah commanded His Beloved Prophet ﷺ:

“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice.” (Quran 108:2)

Sacrifice is an act of worship ordained by Allah as a ransom for the life of His beloved Prophet Ismail (عليه السلام):

“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (Quran 37:107)

Rewards of Sacrifice

Esteemed assembly! Sacrifice is an Islamic emblem and divine blessing. Allah accepts sacrifices offered for His pleasure with piety:

“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor their blood, but what reaches Him is your piety.” (Quran 22:37)
Meaning: Sacrificers please Allah solely through sincere intention and observance of Taqwa (God-consciousness).

Presenting sacrifice to Allah is highly beloved. On Eid al-Adha, no deed is more beloved to Allah than sacrifice. Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (رضي الله عنها) reported the Prophet ﷺ said:

“No deed done by humans on the Day of Sacrifice is more beloved to Allah than shedding blood (sacrifice). It will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns, hair, and hooves. The blood reaches Allah before it falls to the ground. So sacrifice with a joyful heart.” (Tirmidhi)

The Day of Sacrifice is exalted before Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said:

*”The greatest day before Allah is the Day of Sacrifice (10th Dhul-Hijjah).”* (Abu Dawud)

Sacrifice with sincere intention becomes a shield from Hellfire. Al-Hasan ibn Ali (رضي الله عنهما) reported the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever sacrifices willingly, seeking reward, it will be a barrier against the Fire for him.” (Tabarani)

Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) reported:

“No wealth spent is dearer to Allah than that spent on sacrifice on Eid day.” (Bayhaqi)

Conditions for the Obligation of Sacrifice

Respected audience! Sadr al-Shari’ah outlines the conditions for obligation:

1. Islam: Non-Muslims are not obligated.
2. Residence: Not obligatory for travelers.
3. Wealth: Owning Nisab (equivalent to the amount requiring Zakat al-Fitr, not Zakat).
4. Freedom: Slaves are exempt (as they own no wealth).
   Note: Obligatory for both men and women.

Time of Sacrifice

The time spans three days: From dawn on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah until sunset on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) stated:

“Sacrifice is permissible for two days after the Day of Sacrifice.”
This is supported by Imams Abu Hanifah, Malik, and Ahmad.

Rulings on Sacrificial Animals

One must select healthy, defect-free animals. The Prophet ﷺ said:

*”Four animals are invalid for sacrifice:

1. The blind with obvious blindness,
2. The sick with apparent illness,
3. The lame with evident lameness,
4. The emaciated with no marrow.”* (Tirmidhi)

Key Juridical Rulings

Mufti Amjad Ali A’zami (رحمة الله عليه) states:

1. Obligation arises when the time enters and conditions are met.
2. If an animal bought for sacrifice is lost and the owner becomes ineligible, sacrifice is not required.
3. A wife’s dowry owed by a wealthy husband does not make her eligible for Qurbani.
4. Permission is required to sacrifice on behalf of adults. Sacrificing for minors is recommended.
5. Sacrifice may be performed anytime within the three-day window.
6. If a poor person sacrifices and later becomes wealthy, sacrifice is re-obligated (some scholars disagree).
7. Deliberately skipping obligatory sacrifice requires giving the animal’s value in charity later.
8. If an eligible person dies before sacrificing, the obligation lapses.
9. Sacrifice cannot be substituted with cash charity.
10. Slaughter at night is disliked but valid.
11. Sacrifice is valid after Eid prayer anywhere.
12. In Mina, sacrifice is allowed after Fajr.
13. Missed sacrifices cannot be made up the following year; charity must be given.

Core Philosophy & Social Conduct

Beloved brothers! The essence of Eid al-Adha is this: If the dearest possession must be sacrificed for Allah, it must be offered unreservedly! Without this spirit, sacrifice is meaningless. Remember: When Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) presented his son, his intent was pure divine pleasure—not fame or display. His sacrifice remains an eternal model of submission for Muslims!

True sacrifice demands slaughtering ego and worldly desires alongside the animal. As Muslims, we believe Allah needs neither meat nor blood—He observes our spirit of sacrifice, piety, and sincerity. The animal is merely a symbol; real sacrifice is:

• Conquering selfish desires for Allah’s commands.
• Prioritizing others’ needs over personal comfort.
• Embodying Taqwa, sincerity, and selflessness.

A Call for Social Reform

Respected brothers! Today, we see affluent people spending lavishly on premium animals—a noble act if for Allah’s pleasure, but void if driven by showmanship (Riya). Worse still: Many readily spend thousands on sacrifice but refuse to swallow pride to reconcile with estranged family! If we cannot sacrifice our inner beast (ego), what value has slaughtering an animal?!

Therefore:

• Kill your ego. Sacrifice selfish desires.
• Reconcile: Use Eid’s blessings to end grudges.
• Purify hearts from envy, malice, and backbiting.
• Embrace warmly; exchange Eid greetings.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When two Muslims meet and shake hands, their sins fall away like dry leaves in a storm—even if their sins were like sea foam.” (Tabarani)

Eid’s Message

Beloved friends, brothers, and elders! Let us embody Ibrahim’s devotion and Ismail’s submission. Just as they sacrificed for Allah:

• Teach children obedience to divine commands.
• Cultivate empathy, kindness, and communal responsibility.
• Share others’ joys and sorrows.
• Sacrifice personal comforts for others’ needs.
  This is the philosophy of Qurbani.

Supplication (Dua)

O Allah!

• Accept our sacrifices and righteous deeds.
• Help us understand and live the philosophy of sacrifice.
• Save us from ostentation (Riya).
• Enrich us with Taqwa, sincerity, and purity.
• Cleanse our inner and outer selves.
• Grant us the ability to live by the Quran and Sunnah.
• Make us true lovers of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions.
• Unite the Ummah; make us steadfast in prayer.
• Protect Muslims worldwide—especially in Palestine, Kashmir, and India.
• Grant us halal prosperity and freedom from want.
• Soften our hearts toward creation.
• Resolve our difficulties; heal our sick; clear our debts.
  Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds!

May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon the Best of Creation ﷺ, his family, and companions. All praise is to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.