Which action is preferred on the Day of Sacrifice: performing the sacrifice or giving charity equivalent to its value?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Sacrifices (Uḍḥiyah)
Primary text
Performing the Udhiyah is superior to giving charity equivalent to its value. Ahmad explicitly stated this, and this view is also held by Rabi'ah and Abu al-Zannad. The evidence is the narration from 'Aishah, where the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "No deed of the son of Adam on the Day of Sacrifice is more beloved to Allah than shedding blood. On the Day of Judgment, it will come with its horns, hooves, and hair, and the blood reaches Allah's sight before it touches the ground. So, be content with it." This narration is from Ibn Majah. Furthermore, preferring charity over the sacrifice leads to abandoning a Sunnah established by the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
Supporting text
A dissenting view is narrated from Bilal, who preferred giving a sacrifice to an orphan whose lips were cracked over offering the sacrifice himself. Al-Sha'bi and Abu Thawr held this view. 'Aishah is also reported to have preferred giving away her ring in charity over offering a thousand as a gift to the Ka'bah. The response to this is that 'Aishah's statement pertains to the Hady (sacrificial animal brought for Hajj/Umrah), not the Udhiyah, so it is not a point of dispute here.