Question:
Is ʿEīd Al-Adḥā Qurbānī (ritual animal slaughter) still mandated during the current COVID-19 pandemic lock-down, while most of us will not be able to attend a large congregational ʿEīd Al-Adḥā prayer?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Kind
Thank you/ Jazāk Allāh Khayr for contacting Mathābah with your query.
The Status of Ritual Animal Sacrifice
The responsibility of ritual animal sacrifice (Qurbānī, also known as Uḍḥiyyah) during the fixed days of the Dhū Al-Ḥijjah month, is an emphasized prophetic practice (sunnah muakkadah) according to majority schools of jurisprudence and necessary (wājib) according to the Ḥanafī school. Therefore, it should only be left out if one has a genuine excuse, such as the lack of funds to purchase an animal to sacrifice. – (See: Kitāb Al-Fiqh ʿAlā Madhāhib Al-ʿArbaʿah, Aḥkām Al-Qurʾān, Al-Mugnīy, Al-Majmuʾ, Fatḥ Al-Qadīr, Al-Badāʿi Al-Ṣanāʿi)
“Offer prayer to your Lord and sacrifice [animals].” – (Qur’ān 108:2)
“The Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him) resided in Madīnah for ten years. He rendered the Udḥiyyah (ritual animal sacrifice) every year.” – (Musnad Aḥmad)
The Ritual Animal Sacrifice During a Pandemic Lockdown
The correct timing for the validity of the ritual animal sacrifice is that it be carried out on the days of ʿEīd Al-Adḥā knows as “Ayyām al-Naḥr or Tashrīq”. These days fall on the 10th of Dhūl Ḥijjah after sunrise to the 12th of Dhūl Ḥijjah sunset. In general circumstances, those living in a city can only slaughter after attending ʿEīd prayers on the 10th. However, if for some reason or the other, one is unable to attend an ʿEīd prayer because they are living in a remote village where ʿEīd prayers are not taking place or because of a pandemic lockdown, such as in our current situation, then one can slaughter at anytime after dawn. It would however be preferred to wait for at least an ʿEīd prayer to have completed after sunrise in one’s vicinity or town before conducting the slaughter. – (See: Kitāb Al-Fiqh ʿAlā Madhāhib Al-Arbaʾah, Kashshāf Al-Qināʾ)
“As for those who reside in remote villages, the beginning time for ritual animal sacrifice for ʿEīd Al Adḥā is after the estimated time for ʿEīd prayers. This is because there is no ʿEīd prayer obligation upon them, therefore it’s average duration would be considered.” – (See: Kitāb Al-Fiqh ʿAlā Madhāhib Al-Arbaʾah, Al-Mughnīy)
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, they just slaughtered for themselves, and whoever slaughtered after the prayer, they slaughtered at the correct time and followed the tradition of the Muslims.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī)
“The Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him) forbade [slaughtering thereafter] eating sacrificial animals after three days.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
It is worthy to note that one can conduct the Qurbānī oneself by attending a farm, purchasing an animal and rendering the slaughter. One also has the option to delegate the task to a trusted organization, relative and or friend. The slaughterer must be a believer.
“God’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) sacrificed with his own hands two horned rams.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
‘Alī bin Abī Ṭālib (may God be pleased with him) narrated, “The Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him) appointed me to be in charge of his sacrificial animals, and commanded me to distribute all their meat, hides and saddlery to the poor.” – (Bukhārī, Muslim).
“The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) slaughtered sixty-three camels with his own hands, and ‘Ali (may God be pleased with him) slaughtered the rest on behalf of the Prophet.” (Ibn Mājah)
Related article: Ten Matters You Always Wanted to Know About Qurbānī/ Udḥiyyah
And Allāh Knows Best