Is a sacrifice valid if the owner causes a defect through handling prior to slaughter?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Sacrifices (Uḍḥiyah)
Primary text
If the owner causes a defect in the designated animal through their own action, they must provide a replacement. This is the position of Al-Shafi'i. The reasoning is that this is a defect introduced by the individual prior to the slaughter, and therefore it does not fulfill the obligation, just as if the defect occurred before commencing the slaughter process.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa permits fulfillment if the knife slips during the treatment prior to slaughter and removes an essential part of the animal, based on the principle of Istihsan (juridical preference). However, the primary ruling maintains that any defect introduced by the owner before slaughter invalidates the sacrifice.