An animal that is tailless or naturally without horns (1), a castrated male so long as it is not completely emasculated, or one from which half of its ear or horn—or less—has been cut (2) is still acceptable for sacrifice.

Camels are dispatched by stabbing the throat (nahr), whereas all other animals are slaughtered while laid on their left side. At the moment of slaughter he says, “Bismillah, Allahu akbar; Allahumma hādhā minka wa laka” (“In the name of Allah; Allah is the greatest. O Allah, this is from You and for You”). The owner should perform the slaughter himself, or else deputize another while he is present (3).

The period for slaughter begins after the ʿEid prayer—or the length of time it normally takes—and continues for the next two days. If that window is missed, the obligation must still be discharged.

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The animal becomes formally designated when he declares, “This is a hady, an uḍḥiyah, or it is for Allah,” or when he vows it. Once designated, it may neither be sold nor given away (4); it may, however, be exchanged for a better animal. Its wool and similar by-products may be shorn for the animal’s welfare, after which the wool is given in charity. The butcher may not be paid his wage (5) from any part of the sacrifice, and neither its hide nor any portion of it may be sold (6); they may only be put to personal use.