The reply is:

This incident—even assuming its authenticity—is a particular case. It contains no general wording that entails an unrestricted prohibition on substitution, nor have we permitted substitution without qualification. No scholar permits replacing an offering with something inferior to the original. Nothing in this hadith indicates that the proposed substitute was better than the original; rather, its apparent meaning is that the original was superior. It is established in an authentic hadith that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked:

“Which slaves are best to free?”

He replied:

“Those who command the highest price and are most prized by their owners.”

Allah Most High says:

“And whoever honours the symbols of Allah—indeed, that is from the piety of hearts.”

It has been said that honouring them includes choosing fine, well-fattened animals and paying high prices for them. This choice she-camel was precious, which is why such a high price was offered for her. Offering her to Allah was therefore better than offering several inferior animals bought with her price. A magnificent horse may be presented to a great king and be dearer to him than several horses bought for the same price. Superiority does not lie in numbers alone. Indeed, Allah Most High says:

“You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love.”

Thus, when a person seeks to draw near to Allah Most High by offering something dearer to him, it is better for him than offering something else, even if the two are equal in value. For an offering and a sacrifice are acts of worship involving both bodily action and wealth; they are not merely charitable donations. Rather, when someone slaughters a prized animal from his own wealth for Allah Most High, that is dearer to Allah Most High.

One of the early Muslims said:

“Let none of you offer to Allah Most High something he would be ashamed to present to someone he holds in esteem.”

Allah Most High says:

“And do not deliberately choose inferior things to give, when you yourselves would not accept them unless you overlooked their defects.”

The two sons of Adam each presented an offering, and it was accepted from one but not from the other. It has been related that the reason for this was that one offered something precious from his wealth, while the other offered something inferior from his wealth. And Allah knows best.