He also explains to them the quality required, saying: “Give from what is good, for that is better.” He clarifies that inferior produce—such as worm-eaten, wet, or moldy food—is not acceptable.

This is how the author states that the charity of fast-breaking should be explained in the Festival sermon. However, the correct view is that it should be explained in the sermon of the final Friday of Ramadan. In the Festival sermon, he should explain the ruling on delaying the charity of fast-breaking until after the Festival prayer. In the hadith of Ibn Abbas recorded in the Sunan: “Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is accepted zakah; and whoever gives it after the prayer, it is merely a charity among other charities.” (1)

His statement, “And he encourages them regarding the sacrifice …” and so on, means that in the Festival of Sacrifice sermon he encourages the people to offer the sacrificial animal, and explains to them its virtue, reward, and recompense.

His statement, “and explains its ruling,” means: is it a sunnah or obligatory? Its explanation will come, Allah willing, in its relevant chapter.

Likewise, he explains to them which animals may be offered as sacrifices. They are of three types: camels, cattle, and sheep or goats.

He also explains to them the required age of the sacrificial animal: it must be a jadha'ah of sheep, or a thaniyyah of camels, cattle, or goats.

If one offers a thaniyyah of sheep, the majority of scholars hold that it is valid.

The literalist school held that it is not valid, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not