What is the prescribed duration for slaughtering the sacrificial animal (Udhiyah) and the Hady offering?
Chapter on the Description of Hajj
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
The prescribed time for slaughtering the Udhiyah and Hady is three days: the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm an-Nahr) and the two days following it. This position is affirmed by Ahmad, and it is narrated that it was the opinion of several Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), specifically reported from Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas. This view is also held by Malik and ath-Thawri. The evidence supporting this duration is the Prophet's prohibition against eating from the sacrifice after three days; it is not permissible for the time of slaughtering to precede the time when consumption is permissible. Furthermore, the fourth day is not a day for Ramy (stoning the pillars), so slaughtering is not permissible on it, similar to the days after it. Regarding the Quranic evidence, Allah the Almighty stated, "And mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of the grazing livestock" (Quran 22:28), specifying days and not nights.
Supporting text
A narration from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the days of sacrifice are the Day of Sacrifice and three days following it. This is the view held by al-Hasan, 'Ata', al-Awza'i, ash-Shafi'i, and Ibn al-Mundhir. Ibn Sirin stated that the duration is only one day. Sa'id ibn Jubayr and Jabir ibn Zayd differentiated, stating it is one day in settled areas (amsar) but three days in Mina.