عِيدُ الْأَضْحَى وَالْأُضْحِيَّةُ

Living these days without travelling Not everyone leaves every year, but everyone can live these days: Allah has given all Muslims the first ten days of Dhul-Ḥijja, the day of 'Arafa, Eid and the sacrifice. Someone who stays in Montreal also walks in the footsteps of Ibraahiim.

The first ten days of Dhul-Ḥijja • "There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days", meaning the ten days; he was asked: "Not even striving in the path of Allah?" He answered: "Not even striving in the path of Allah, except a man who goes out with himself and his wealth and returns with nothing of that" (Bukhari 969, Abu Daawuud 2438, At-Tirmidhi 757) [À VÉRIFIER : formulation et numéros]. • Allah swears "by the ten nights" (89:2), understood by many commentators as these ten days [À VÉRIFIER]. • The deeds: prayer, Qur'an, dhikr (takbiir, tahliil, taḥmiid), charity, fasting (during the first nine days, especially the day of 'Arafa), kindness to parents, ties of kinship, repentance.

The takbiir • The free takbiir, at any time, at home, at work, in the street, from the beginning of the month. • The takbiir after the obligatory prayers, from the dawn of the day of 'Arafa until the afternoon of the 13th, according to a widespread position; the schools differ on its beginning and end [À VÉRIFIER]. • A formula reported from the companions: "Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha illa llaah, wa llaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahi l-ḥamd" [À VÉRIFIER : formule et source].

The fast of the day of 'Arafa "The fast of the day of 'Arafa, I hope from Allah that it expiates the previous year and the following year" (Muslim 1162). It is for someone who is not a pilgrim (lesson 6). The date follows the centre's calendar: to be completed by the centre (calendar followed and announcement).

Whoever intends to sacrifice: his hair and nails "When you see the crescent of Dhul-Ḥijja, and one of you intends to sacrifice, let him not touch any of his hair or his nails" until he has sacrificed (Muslim 1977). • For the Hanbalis, it is forbidden; for the Shafi'is and Malikis, disliked; for the Hanafis, it is not required [À VÉRIFIER : présentation des avis]. • This concerns the one who sacrifices (often the head of the family), not the whole family, according to the majority [À VÉRIFIER]. • Someone who delegates the sacrifice to an organisation remains concerned until the time of the sacrifice [À VÉRIFIER].

The day of Eid • The Eid prayer: two rak'as with additional takbiirs, then the sermon. Its status: an individual obligation for the Hanafis, a collective obligation for the Hanbalis, a strongly recommended sunna for the Malikis and Shafi'is [À VÉRIFIER]. Place and time in Montreal: to be completed by the centre. • The sunnas: ghusl, one's best clothes, not eating before the prayer and eating from one's sacrifice after it (At-Tirmidhi 542) [À VÉRIFIER : numéro], going to the prayer by one route and returning by another (Bukhari 986), saying the takbiir on the way. • It is forbidden to fast on the day of Eid (Bukhari 1992, Muslim 1137) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros], and the days of tashriiq are "days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah" (Muslim 1141). • Joy, visits, gifts for children, kindness to neighbours, Muslim or not.

The udhiya: the sacrifice of Eid • Its origin: Ibraahiim, ready to sacrifice his son out of obedience, and Allah who ransomed him with "a great sacrifice" (37:102-107, text below). "Pray to your Lord and sacrifice" (meaning of 108:2). • Its status: a strongly recommended sunna for the majority (Malikis, Shafi'is, Hanbalis); obligatory (waajib) for whoever has the means, among the Hanafis [À VÉRIFIER]. • The animals: sheep, goat, cattle, camel. One sheep or goat is enough for a person and his family; a cow or a camel is shared in seven parts (Muslim 1318). • The minimum age according to the widespread position: a sheep of six full months or one year according to the schools, a goat of one year, cattle of two years, a camel of five years [À VÉRIFIER : âges selon les écoles]. • Defects: one does not sacrifice an animal that is clearly one-eyed, sick, lame, or so thin that it has no marrow (Abu Daawuud 2802, At-Tirmidhi 1497) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros]. • The time: after the Eid prayer. "Whoever sacrifices before the prayer has only offered meat to his family" (Bukhari 5560, Muslim 1961) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros]. One may sacrifice until sunset on the 12th (Hanafis, Malikis, Hanbalis) or the 13th (Shafi'is) [À VÉRIFIER]. • The manner: the Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two rams with his own hand, saying "Bismillaah, Allaahu akbar" (Bukhari 5565, Muslim 1966). "Allah has prescribed excellence in all things… when you slaughter, slaughter well: let one of you sharpen his blade and spare his animal" (Muslim 1955). • The meat: one eats from it, offers it, gives it to the poor; dividing it into three thirds (family, relatives and friends, the poor) is recommended by many scholars, without being obligatory [À VÉRIFIER]. Nothing of the animal is sold, not even its skin, and the butcher is not paid with its meat (Bukhari 1717, Muslim 1317) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros].

In Montreal and in Canada • Sacrificing oneself: slaughter must take place in an authorised slaughterhouse, according to hygiene and animal welfare rules; slaughter at home is not permitted [À VÉRIFIER : à compléter par le centre (règles du Québec, abattoirs ḥalâl de la région, possibilité d'assister au sacrifice)]. • Delegating (al-wakaala): appointing a slaughterhouse, a ḥalaal butcher or an organisation to sacrifice for you, here or abroad. Delegation is valid by agreement of the scholars. Many allow sacrificing abroad, where the poor are more numerous; others prefer sacrificing where one lives, to see the sunna and eat from one's animal [À VÉRIFIER : avis du centre]. • The centre's programme, prices and recommended organisations: to be completed by the centre.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Allah has not reserved these days for pilgrims. While millions stand at 'Arafa, others fast; while pilgrims sacrifice in Minaa, families sacrifice all over the world; and the takbiir rises everywhere at the same time. The community lives these days together. The first ten days are among the most beloved to Allah: it is a season of good deeds, like the last ten nights of Ramadan. Many let it pass without noticing; a little preparation is enough to live it. The udhiya recalls the story of Ibraahiim: total obedience, and the mercy of Allah, who does not ask for the son but accepts the ram. "What reaches Him from you is piety" (22:37): the sacrifice is an act of the heart, and its meat a sharing. Finally, the Sunna of sacrifice includes respect for the animal: sharpening the blade, not making it suffer. Hygiene and animal welfare rules in Canada meet this teaching.

Lessons to draw from it • Plan a programme for the ten days: fasting, Qur'an, dhikr, charity. • Fast on the day of 'Arafa and encourage your family to do so. • Decide early about the udhiya, to respect the rule on hair and nails from the beginning of the month. • Choose a reliable slaughterhouse or organisation, and ask the imam whether it is better to sacrifice here or abroad. • Take the children to the Eid prayer and let them share in distributing the meat.

Key points to remember • The first ten days: deeds in them are more beloved to Allah (Bukhari 969) [À VÉRIFIER : formulation]. • The fast of 'Arafa: it expiates two years (Muslim 1162). • Whoever intends to sacrifice does not touch his hair or nails (Muslim 1977). • The udhiya: after the Eid prayer, until the 12th or 13th according to the schools. • A cow or a camel: seven shares (Muslim 1318).

The main message Those who stay at home are not far from Hajj: through the good deeds of the ten days, the fast of 'Arafa, the Eid prayer and the sacrifice, they too walk in the footsteps of Ibraahiim.

The text: Surah Al-Kawthar (108), verses 1 to 3 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 108:1-3]

The text: Surah Aṣ-Ṣaaffaat (37), verses 102 to 107 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 37:102-107]

Meaning: 108:1-3: "We have granted you Al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. It is the one who hates you who is cut off." 37:102-107 (summarised meaning): when his son was old enough to walk with him, Ibraahiim said to him: "My son, I see in a dream that I am sacrificing you; consider what you think." He answered: "My father, do what you are commanded: you will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient." When both had submitted and he had laid him on his forehead, Allah called him: "O Ibraahiim, you have fulfilled the vision"; it was the clear trial, "and We ransomed him with a great sacrifice".

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.