The command to give the meat of the udhiyah in charity is reported in a number of hadiths, as was the permission to eat some and preserve some. At the very least, a third of the udhiyah should be eaten, a third should be given as gifts and a third should be given in charity.

One sheep is sufficient as udhiyah for one man and his family and whoever he wants among the Muslims. If two or more people buy a sheep and sacrifice it, that is not sufficient.

1. Udhiyah means an animal of the an’aam class (i.e., camel, cow, sheep or goat) that is slaughtered during the days of ‘Eid al-Adha.

2. Udhiyah is one of the rituals of Islam prescribed in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and according to the consensus of the Muslims. Please see the detailed answer for more about the rulings on udhiyah.

The time for offering the sacrifice begins after the ‘Eid prayer on ‘Eid al-Adha and ends when the sun sets on the thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah.

The Sunnah for one who wants to slaughter the udhiyah is to say: Bismillah, wa Allahu akbar, Allahumma hadha minka wa laka, hadha ‘anni (or if it is being offered on behalf of someone else, hadha ‘an [fulan]), Allahumma taqabbal min [fulan] wa ali [fulan].

There are six conditions for the udhiyah: 1- It should be one of the an'am class of animals; 2- It should have reached the age stipulated in Shari’ah; 3- It should be free of any faults that would render it unsuitable for sacrifice; 4- The animal should belong to the person who is offering the sacrifice; 5- No one else should have any rights to the sacrificial animal; 6- It should be slaughtered at the time specified in Shari’ah

The Shar`i evidence indicates that a sheep that has reached the age of six months may count as a sacrifice, as may a goat that has reached the age of one year, a cow that has reached the age of two years, and a camel that has reached the age of five years. Sacrificing an animal that is younger than that is not permitted, but if an animal that is older than that is sacrificed, it is permitted and is better.

Sharing in a sacrifice is permissible if it is a camel or a cow, but it is not permissible to share in a sheep. It is permissible for seven people to share one camel or cow.

The one who offers the udhiyah should be independent of means, in that the price of the udhiyah is surplus to his needs and the needs of those on whom he spends. The udhiyah is prescribed for the members of the household. If a woman is living on her own or with her children, then she should offer the udhiyah.

It is makruh to single out Saturday for fasting. If one fasts another day along with Saturday, then it is not makruh. For different scenarios for fasting on a Saturday, see the detailed answer.

Some scholars view that udhiyah is prescribed for pilgrims– whether they regard it as recommended or obligatory. Other scholars maintain that udhiyah is not prescribed for pilgrims.

A number of contemporary scholars are of the view that it is permissible to offer the udhiyah outside one’s own country, so as to give to the Muslims who are in greater need and are poorer.

There is nothing wrong with giving from the udhiyah meat to non-Muslims especially if they are relatives or neighbours or poor.

Scholars have different views on the ruling of udhiyah. Most of the scholars are of the view that udhiyah is Sunnah, and is not obligatory.

If a person wants to offer an udhiyah, then it is haram for him to remove anything from his hair or nails until he offers his sacrifice whether he offers the udhiyah after ‘Eid prayer, or before sunset on Dhul Hijjah 13th.