IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
THIRD KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF DHUL-QA’DAH
DATE: 18TH DHUL-QA’DAH 1446 AH (16TH MAY, 2025)
TOPIC: AL-UDHIYYAH (SACRIFICIAL OFFERING): ITS LEGITIMACY, RULINGS, AND TYPES
THE FIRST SERMON
All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and ask His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide; and whomsoever He allows to go astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without any partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions abundantly.
To proceed:
Fear Allah, O servants of Allah, and know that taqwa (God-consciousness) is the best provision for meeting Allah:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ
“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims.”
[Aali ‘Imran 3:102]
O servants of Allah, truly we are in a great season which every Muslim should seize to increase in acts of worship—among them is the Udhiyah (sacrificial offering): its legitimacy, ruling, and types, especially after we spoke about the virtue of performing Hajj and ‘Umrah last week.
What is Udhiyah?
Definition:
Udhiyah refers to the livestock animals (from cattle, sheep, goats, or camels) that are slaughtered as an act of worship, seeking nearness to Allah during the days of Eid al-Adha (Days of Nahr), under specific conditions.
It was legislated in the second year of Hijrah, just like Zakah and Eid prayers, and its legitimacy is established through the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Ijma‘ (scholarly consensus).
From the Qur’an:
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].” [Surah Al-Kawthar 108:2]
وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُمْ مِّن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ
“And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah.” [Surah Al-Hajj 22:36]
That is, among the signs of Allah’s religion.
From the Sunnah:
There are several authentic ahadith, among them:
1. Hadith of A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
“ما عمل ابن آدم يوم النحر عملاً أحب إلى الله من إراقة الدم، إنها لتأتي يوم القيامة بقرونها وأظلافها وأشعارها، وإن الدم ليقع من الله عز وجل بمكان قبل أن يقع على الأرض، فطيبوا بها نفسًا”
“The son of Adam does not do any deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is more beloved to Allah than shedding blood. Verily, it will come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, its hair, and its hooves. Indeed, the blood reaches Allah before it falls on the ground. So let your soul be content with it.” [Reported by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
2. Hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):
“ضحى رسول الله ﷺ بكبشين أملحين، أقرنين، فرأيته واضعًا قدميه على صفاحهما، يُسمي ويكبر، فذبحهما بيده”
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sacrificed two white rams with black markings, large-horned, and I saw him placing his foot on their sides, saying ‘Bismillah’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’, and he slaughtered them with his own hand.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Scholarly Consensus:
Muslim scholars unanimously agree on the legitimacy of Udhiyah. The hadiths show that it is one of the most beloved deeds to Allah on the Day of Nahr (10th of Dhul-Hijjah). The sacrificed animal will appear on the Day of Judgment in the form it was slaughtered. Its blood is accepted by Allah before it even hits the ground. It is also part of the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) as in the verse:
وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” [Surah As-Saffat 37:107]
Udhiyah (Sacrificial Offering) – An Islamic Rite
Slaughtering animals on the day of Eid al-Adha is an Islamic ritual that is strongly established by multiple proofs from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Allah the Almighty says:
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].” [Surah Al-Kawthar, 108:2]
In the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):
“أن رسول الله ﷺ ضحى بكبشين سمينين، عظيمين أملحين، أقرنين، موجوأين (مخصيين)، وأضجع أحدهما وقال: بسم الله والله أكبر، اللهم عن محمد وآل محمد، ثم أضجع الآخر وقال: بسم الله والله أكبر، اللهم عن محمد وأمته ممن شهد لك بالتوحيد وشهد لي بالبلاغ”
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sacrificed two fat, large, white rams with black markings, both horned and castrated. He laid one of them down and said: ‘In the Name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is on behalf of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.’ Then he laid the other one down and said: ‘In the Name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is on behalf of Muhammad and his nation, those who bear witness to Your Oneness and that I have conveyed the message.’” [Narrated by al-Daraqutni]
Encouragement from the Prophet ﷺ to Perform Udhiyah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ encouraged Muslims to offer the sacrifice. A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
“ما عمل آدميّ من عمل يوم النحر أحب إلى الله من إهراق الدم، إنها لتأتي يوم القيامة بقرونها وأشعارها وأظلافها، وإن الدم ليقع من الله بمكان قبل أن يقع على الأرض، فطيبوا بها نفسًا”
“The son of Adam does no deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is more beloved to Allah than the shedding of blood. Indeed, the animal will come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves. The blood reaches a place of acceptance from Allah before it even falls to the ground. So be content when you offer the sacrifice.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
The Ruling of Udhiyah
Among the rulings and conditions related to Udhiyah is the matter of its legal status in Islamic law. So, what is the ruling on Udhiyah?
- The majority of scholars, except the Hanafi school, are of the view that Udhiyah is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) and not obligatory. It is disliked for someone who is able to offer it to abandon it.
Evidence:
The Prophet ﷺ linked the act of sacrifice to the intention of the person. In the hadith of Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), he said:
“إذا دخل العشر، وأراد أحدكم أن يضحي، فلا يأخذ من شعره ولا من أظفاره شيئًا حتى يضحي.”
“When the ten [days of Dhul-Hijjah] begin, and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not remove anything from his hair or nails until he has offered the sacrifice.”[Narrated by Muslim]
Scholars say: An obligatory act is not conditioned on intention, thus indicating that Udhiyah is not obligatory.
Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his Sahih:
“Chapter: The Sunnah of Udhiyah. Ibn ‘Umar said: It is Sunnah and well known.”
Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) commented in Fath al-Bari:
“It seems that al-Bukhari labeled it a Sunnah to disagree with those who said it is obligatory. Ibn Hazm said: There is no authentic narration from any Companion that Udhiyah is obligatory. It is soundly reported from the majority that it is not obligatory. However, there is no difference about it being part of the laws of Islam.”
According to the Shafi’i school and most scholars, Udhiyah is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah), and it is collective in nature (i.e., if one offers on behalf of a household, it suffices).
The Hanafi Opinion
The Hanafis held the opinion that offering the Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) is obligatory (wājib) once every year for those who can afford it.
They based their view on the hadith:
«من وجد سعة، فلم يضح، فلا يقربن مصلانا»
“Whoever finds financial ease but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place.”
They argued that such a severe warning would not be attached to the abandonment of something that is merely recommended.
Additionally, they reasoned that since Udhiyah is an act of devotion associated with a specific time, namely the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Adha), this indicates obligation.
They explained: the association of an act of worship with a set time implies exclusivity, and that exclusivity in turn implies obligation, as obligation is what generally ensures the act is fulfilled by the people at large.
What is the Preponderant Opinion Regarding the Ruling of Udhiyah (Sacrificial Animal)?
Udhiyah is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) for those who are financially capable, and it is not obligatory. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars.
As for the Hadith:
«من وجد سعة، فلم يضح، فلا يقربن مصلانا»
“Whoever has the means but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place,”
which the Hanafis used as evidence for the obligation of Udhiyah, it has been declared weak (munkar) by Imam Ahmad, and it is not valid as evidence.
This is also the view of many of the Companions (Ṣaḥābah), may Allah be pleased with them, who mostly saw the sacrifice as Sunnah and not obligatory upon those who could afford it. Among their statements are:
- Al-Sha’bi narrated from Abu Sarihah, who said:
“I saw Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) and they did not offer sacrifices out of dislike that people would follow them and think it was obligatory.” - Ikrimah said:
“Ibn Abbas used to send me on the Day of Sacrifice with two dirhams to buy meat, and he would say: ‘Tell whoever you meet that this is the sacrifice of Ibn Abbas.’” - Ibn Umar said:
“It is not obligatory, but it is Sunnah and well-known.” - Abu Mas’ud Al-Ansari said:
“I refrain from offering the sacrifice while I am wealthy, fearing that my neighbors might think it is obligatory upon me.”
Thus, offering the Udhiyah as a Sunnah act is better than treating it as an obligation or compulsion.
What Can Be Used as Udhiyah?
The majority of scholars, including the four schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali), agree that the Udhiyah must be from among livestock (Al-Anʿām), specifically:
- Camels (إبل)
- Cattle (بقر)
- Sheep and goats (غنم)
This includes both male and female animals, whether castrated or uncastrated. Goats (ma‘z) are a type of sheep, and buffalo is a type of cattle.
Wild animals, such as wild oxen or deer, are not valid for Udhiyah. This is based on the verse:
﴿ وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا لِّيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ﴾ [الحج: 34]
“And for every nation We have appointed a rite of sacrifice so that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided them of **the beast of cattle (livestock).” [Surah Al-Hajj, 22:34]
There is no report from the Prophet ﷺ or his Companions that they sacrificed any animal other than livestock.
Also, there is no scholarly disagreement that it is not valid to simply purchase meat and distribute it among the people as a substitute for Udhiyah. The sacrifice is only valid through the shedding of blood.
Conditions of the Udhiyah (Sacrificial Animal)
Among the conditions for the Udhiyah as prescribed by Islam are:
- From sheep: it must be at least six months old and has entered the seventh month.
- From cattle: it must be at least two years old and has entered the third year.
- From camels: it must be at least five years old and has entered the sixth year.
- It is recommended that the Udhiyah be fat, large, and healthy in appearance.
- It must be free from defects that affect the quantity or quality of its meat. Therefore, it is not permissible to offer as Udhiyah any animal that is:
- One-eyed with obvious blindness,
- Lame with visible limping,
- Sick with an apparent illness,
- Extremelyemaciated, or
- Mutilated, such as one missing more than half of its ear or horn.
This is based on the Hadith of Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
قال رسول الله ﷺ: “أربع لا تجوز في الأضاحي: العوراء البين عورها، والمريضة البين مرضها، والعرجاء البين ضلعها، والعجفاء التي لا تنقى“
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There are four (types of animals) that are not permissible for sacrifice: a one-eyed animal whose defect is obvious, a sick animal whose illness is apparent, a lame animal whose limp is evident, and an emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones.”
[Narrated by Abu Dawood, Hadith 2802]
If some hybrid or crossbred cows are such that when they exceed two years of age, their meat becomes less palatable, and if non-hybrid cattle are not available, then it is permissible to sacrifice such cattle that are younger than two years. This is in line with the wisdom of the Shari’ah behind the Udhiyah — namely, the abundance of meat so that the poor may benefit, and to ease the burden on people. The principle in Islamic law is that rulings are based on purposes and intentions.
Ruling on Sharing in the Udhiyah
The majority of jurists — and this is the stronger opinion — hold that one sheep is sufficient for a household, regardless of the number of people in it. With one sheep, the Sunnah is fulfilled, and all members of the household receive the reward.
The Hanafis disagreed, holding that more than one person cannot share in one sheep if they are sharing in the cost. However, it is permissible for one person to purchase the animal and allow others to share in the reward (intention) without contributing to its price.
Most scholars also agree that:
- A camel (بدنة) can suffice for seven people.
- A cow (بقرة) can also suffice for seven people.
Some scholars went further to say that a camel may suffice for ten people. In all cases, those who share in the animal should do so in equal parts, ensuring that no one has less than 1/7 of a cow or 1/10 of a camel.
THE SECOND SERMON
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon the trustworthy Messenger, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, and upon all his family and companions.
O servants of Allah, among the noble traits of great leaders are:
- Admitting mistakes when they occur,
- Humbly accepting the truth, and
- Striving to correct what can be corrected.
This is precisely what we witnessed in the conduct of Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the Chairman of JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) – may Allah reward him with goodness. He demonstrated rare courage and noble humility when he acknowledged errors in some examination results and ordered a re-sit of the exam for affected students.
Such behavior is rare in our time, especially from heads of agencies and officials in our country, many of whom often persist in denial and refuse to admit mistakes.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“كُلُّ ابْنِ آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ، وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ”
“Every son of Adam is a sinner, and the best of sinners are those who repent.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi]
This action by Professor Ishaq reflects fear of Allah, commitment to trust, and sincerity in leadership. He has become an example worth emulating.
We take this opportunity to commend such brave and reformative initiatives – those that repair rather than corrupt, and that heal rather than neglect. We ask Allah to increase the likes of this honest leader. We also call on other officials in our country to follow this great example and to realize that trust (amānah) is a heavy responsibility, and that Allah will question every leader about those under their care.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ”
“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.” [Agreed upon – Bukhari and Muslim]
We ask Allah to grant him more success, to bless his efforts, and to place this noble act in the scale of his good deeds.
It is necessary to make the following important recommendations:
Firstly: The JAMB system should not rely entirely on Computer-Based Testing (CBT). There must be comprehensive human technical support that monitors, verifies, and reviews the system, because machines too are susceptible to faults and errors. Allah the Exalted said:
“And man was created weak.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:28)
If this is the state of human beings, then what can we expect from machines created by man? Without doubt, weakness and defects will also be present in them.
Secondly: We advise other institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to learn from this incident. They should review their system and not rely solely on BIVAS. Rather, they should develop a hybrid system that combines human oversight and automation, to ensure transparency and reduce the chances of failure or rigging.
Thirdly: It is necessary to carry out a thorough investigation until the truth is revealed and to prevent a recurrence in the future. We also express our deep sympathy to all those affected by the incident — students, parents, and guardians — asking the Most Kind, Most Forgiving Lord to bring peace to your hearts and to compensate you for what you have missed. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.
In conclusion, we inform you of a disturbing report that the Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a non-Muslim woman who disguised herself by wearing the Muslim hijab. Her name is Ihensekhien Miracle Obehi, and she was arrested at the Port Harcourt International Airport while attempting to smuggle 2.523 kilograms of cocaine to Iran. She had swallowed some of it and concealed the rest in her private parts in an attempt to avoid detection.
“Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.”O Brothers in Faith, this is a form of character defamation—a deceptive tactic devised by the enemies of Allah and Islam against Islam and the Muslims, in order to divert people from the path of Allah. Indeed, Allah has spoken the truth, when He said:
“إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْداً • وَأَكِيدُ كَيْداً • فَمَهِّلِ الْكَافِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْداً”
“Indeed, they are plotting a plot. But I am planning a plan. So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.” (Surah At-Tariq, 86:14–17)
And Allah nullified their schemes, as affirmed in His saying:
“هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ”
“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, even though the polytheists dislike it.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:33)
And as an honor to Islam and its followers, Allah the Most High said:
“إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ”
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.” (Surah Aal ‘Imran, 3:19)
Supplication:
O Allah, honor Islam and the Muslims, and humiliate shirk and the polytheists, disbelief and the disbelievers, atheism and the atheists, hypocrisy and the hypocrites. And make this country safe and secure, as well as all the lands of the Muslims — O All-Mighty, O Compeller, O Lord of all the worlds.
O Allah, whoever intends evil against Islam and the Muslims, preoccupy him with himself, turn his plot against him, and make his schemes lead to his destruction.
O Allah, support Your religion, Your Book, and Your righteous servants.
O Allah, deal with those who plot against Islam and the Muslims.
O Allah, turn their plots against them, and encircle them with destruction — O All-Strong, O All-Mighty.
And may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Our final call is: All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.