slaughter it, then dip its identifying sandal in its blood, then (1) place it on the animal’s side. Neither he nor anyone in his travelling party was to eat from it; he was then to distribute its meat (2). He forbade the emissary to eat from it to block a means to wrongdoing: the emissary might neglect its care so that it approached (3) death, then slaughter it and eat from it. If he knew that he could eat none of it, he would take diligent care of it.

He had his Companions share in the sacrificial offerings, as mentioned earlier: one camel on behalf of seven people, and likewise one cow (4).

He permitted the person driving the sacrificial animal to ride it in a reasonable manner if he needed to, until he found another mount (5). Alī said: “He may drink whatever milk remains beyond the needs of its young” (6).

His practice (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was to slaughter camels standing on three legs, with the left foreleg bound. When slaughtering them, he would invoke Allah’s name and proclaim His greatness. He would slaughter his sacrificial animals with his own hand, though he sometimes delegated part of this task, as when he instructed Alī to slaughter the remainder of the hundred camels.

When he slaughtered (7) sheep and goats, he would place his foot on their sides, then invoke Allah’s name and proclaim His greatness