FAQ's: All about Dhu'l-Hijjah Sacrifice (Udhiyah) [part 2]

Q: What is udhiyah?

It refers to the act of slaughtering an animal (a camel, cow, sheep or goat) for the sake of Allah on the 10^th of Dhu’l-Hijjah. In fact, Eid al-Ad’ha, the main festival of Islam, is named as such because of this act. The word udhiyah also refers to the animal either before it is sacrificed or after it is sacrificed.

Q: What is the importance of udhiyah?

Sacrificing an animal for the sake of Allah is one of the acts most loved by Allah. The sacrifice on Eid is even more loved by Allah where He says,

“Say (O Muhammad): Verily, my Salah (prayer), my nusuk (it either refers to an animal or all deeds), my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Aalamin (all that exists). He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.”[1]

“Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).”[2]

“And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they may mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food. And your God is One God, so you must submit to Him alone. And give glad tidings to the Mukhbitoon (those who obey Allah with humility).”[3]

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FAQ's: 10 Days of Dhu'l-Hijjah [part 1]

Q: Is it true that the first 10 days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are the best days of the year?

This is likely to be true. In fact there is an explicit Prophetic tradition narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah in which the Prophet said, “The best days of this world are the ten days (meaning the ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah).” The hadith was reported by al-Bazzar and many traditionalists considered it authentic. There are also a number of other Prophetic traditions that confirm that these ten days are the best days of the year.

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing."[1]

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