a large city by forty men, its purpose would not be fulfilled. That purpose is achieved only when all the Muslims attend, as with the Friday prayer.

As for the Eid sacrifice, the stronger view is that it too is obligatory, for it is among Islam’s greatest rites. It is the sacrificial rite observed throughout all towns and cities, and sacrifice is coupled with prayer in His words:

“Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of all worlds.”

The Most High also says:

“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice.”

Thus, He commanded sacrifice just as He commanded prayer. The Most High also says:

“For every community We have appointed a sacrificial rite, so that they may mention Allah’s name over the livestock He has provided for them. Your God is One God, so submit to Him, and give good news to those who humbly submit.”

And He says:

“We have made the sacrificial camels among Allah’s sacred rites for you; in them there is good for you. So mention Allah’s name over them as they stand in rows. Then, when they have fallen onto their sides, eat from them and feed the needy, whether they ask or not. Thus We have subjected them to you, so that you may be grateful.”

“Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but your piety reaches Him. Thus He has subjected them to you, so that you may glorify Allah for having guided you. And give good news to those who do good.”

This sacrifice is part of the religion of Abraham, whose religion we have been commanded to follow, and it commemorates the story of the son offered in sacrifice. How, then, could it be permissible for all Muslims to abandon it, with not a single one of them performing it? For all Muslims to abandon this would be more serious than abandoning Hajj in some years. They have stated that holding Hajj every year is a collective obligation because it is among Islam’s manifest rites. The sacrifices offered on Eid al-Adhā are likewise. Indeed, these sacrifices are offered in every town