When does the designation (*ijab*) of a sacrificial animal occur?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Sacrifices (Uḍḥiyah)
Primary text
The sacrifice becomes obligatory (*ta'ayyun*) upon the utterance of the designation, not merely the intention. This is the explicit position of Al-Shafi'i. If the purchaser merely intends the animal for sacrifice upon buying it, it does not become obligatory according to this school.
Supporting text
Malik and Abu Hanifa hold that if a person buys a sheep or similar animal with the intention of using it for sacrifice, it becomes designated as such, as the command is to purchase a sacrificial animal. If the purchaser marks the animal (e.g., putting a harness or sign) with the intention of sacrifice, it does not become obligatory until the intention is vocalized, based on the principle that removing ownership for the purpose of a devotional act requires explicit declaration, unlike sale transactions.