[Chapter Four: Rulings Concerning the Meat of Sacrificial Animals]
The jurists concur that the one who offers the sacrifice is instructed to eat from his animal and give a portion in charity, in view of the Almighty’s words,
“So eat from them and feed the distressed poor” (al-Ḥajj 22:28),
and His words,
“Feed the contented poor and the beggar” (al-Ḥajj 22:36),
as well as the Prophet’s—peace and blessings be upon him—saying regarding the sacrificial animals:
“Eat, give in charity, and store up.”
Within the Mālikī school a difference arose: is he obliged to combine both eating and charity, or may he choose between the two—namely, eat all of it or give all of it away? Ibn al-Mawwāz held that he may do either.
Many scholars recommend dividing the animal into thirds: one third to be stored, one third for charity, and one third for personal consumption, basing this on the Prophet’s words, “Eat, give in charity, and store up.”
ʿAbd al-Wahhāb stated that eating is not obligatory according to the legal schools, contrary to those who deem it compulsory; and I believe the Ẓāhirīs require apportioning the meat into the three parts mentioned in the ḥadīth.
To the best of my knowledge the scholars agree that selling its meat is impermissible. They differ, however, regarding its hide, wool, and other useful parts. The majority forbid selling them. Abū Ḥanīfah allows their sale provided the price is not in dirhams or dinars—i.e., in cash—but in goods. ʿAṭāʾ permits selling them for anything, whether coins or otherwise.
Abū Ḥanīfah’s distinction between money and merchandise rests on his view that bartering constitutes mere utilization, and they are unanimously agreed that such utilization is allowed.
This much suffices for the foundational principles of this book, and all praise is due to Allah.