QURBAANI (8)
by Al-Jamiat Publications

cont'd ... 7/...

LAWS OF SACRIFICE (Mas'ala 1 - 10)

MAS'ALA 1
An animal born without horns or one which has its horns broken off from the middle may be used for sacrifice. If the horn has broken off from the root, this may have affected the brains of the animal. Therefore sacrifice of such an animal cannot be made.

MAS'ALA 2
Goats that are castrated may be sacrificed. This type of animal is preferable (Shami).

MAS'ALA 3
Those animals that are blind or one eyed, or have a limp cannot be used for sacrifice. Similarly, a sick, weak or thin animal that cannot go to the Mazbah (place of slaughtering) on its own legs cannot be sacrificed.

MAS'ALA 4
If more than a third of the ear of an animal is cut off, such an animal is not suitable for sacrifice. (Shami and Durre Mukhtar). In the same manner, an animal that was born without ears cannot be used for sacrifice. 

However, if an animal with a full tail is not available, some Ulama have granted a leeway to sacrifice such an animal.

MAS'ALA 5
If an animal was purchased in a healthy and perfect state and thereafter an accident occurred which made the animal unfit for sacrifice, then it will be permissible to offer this animal for sacrifice if the person is not wealthy (Saahibe Nisaab). If the owner is a Saahibe Nisaab, then it is compulsory to obtain another animal in place of the injured and deformed animal. (Durre Mukhtar-Shami).

MAS'ALA 6
Sacrifice is waajib on all Muslims who are sane, mature (of age) and are possessors of minimum zakaatable wealth (nisaab) i.e. 3 oz. of gold or 21 oz. of silver.

MAS'ALA 7
The time of sacrifice begins after Eid salaat on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and ends at the setting of the sun on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah. It is, however, best to slaughter on the 10th, then on the 11th and thereafter on the 12th, only until sunset.

MAS'ALA 8
It is better to slaughter one's own sacrifice with one's own hands. However, if one does not know how to slaughter, then it is permissible to let someone else slaughter it. It is better to be present when the animal is being slaughtered. This applies to women also, who should be in veil while the sacrifice is being made on her behalf.

MAS'ALA 9
Sacrifice is only waajib (necessary) on one's self and not on behalf of any other member of the family. If there is a minor in the family who is rich, even then it is not necessary to sacrifice on his behalf either from his own wealth or from the minor's wealth. If sacrifice is made on behalf of the minor, then the money should not be taken from the minor's wealth. Such a sacrifice will be regarded as optional (nafl).

MAS'ALA 10
Seven people are allowed to share a cow, camel or buffalo for sacrifice on condition that no person's share should be less than 1/7 of the cow, and that everyone's intention must either be for sacrifice or for Aqeeqa. If any one of the shareholder's share is less than 1/7, then no one's sacrifice will be correct, (even those who have been given a full share).

Source:  Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)