Chapter on the Time for Slaughtering the Sacrificial Animals

The appointed days for slaughter are the Day of Sacrifice (yawm al-naḥr) and the two days that follow; these are the “well-known days” (al-ayyām al-maʿlūmāt). The first day is the most meritorious: one should offer his animal then, followed by the second day, then the third. According to Mālik and the majority of the scholars of Madinah, no sacrifice may be offered on the fourth day, though it is reported from some that they allowed it.

Mālik and his companions do not permit slaughtering at night; if someone does so, it does not fulfill the rite in their view. Likewise, anyone who slaughters on the Day of Sacrifice before the prayer has not met the requirement. According to Mālik, even if a person slaughters after the prayer but before the imām has slaughtered, it is still invalid—unless the imām himself has not slaughtered; in that case it is sufficient if the person waits for the length of time the imām would normally need to slaughter and then proceeds.

Once the worshipers return from the prayer ground, slaughtering becomes permissible, whether the location is near or far. Desert dwellers look to the nearest town or village; they slaughter after the imām closest to them has slaughtered. If, after making such an estimate, they slaughter before that imām’s act but after the prayer, they are safe. Indeed, if the slaughter occurs after the prayer yet before the imām’s own slaughter, it is valid for them. Another report from Mālik says it would not be valid, but the first view is the established position of his school.