Animal Sacrifice, also known as ‘Hady’ or ‘Damm al-Shukr’, is an animal sacrifice carried out by pilgrims of Hajj on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. It is a Wajib ritual for those performing Hajj-al-Tamattu and Hajj al-Qiran, however, Sunnah for those performing Hajj-al-Ifrad. Nonetheless, all the pilgrims arriving with Hajj Package Deals for holy rituals, perform the sacrifice of an animal. It remains a means of expressing gratitude to Allah Almighty for having been granted the ability to undertake Hajj and Umrah in the same journey.

Religious Significance of Hady.

Hady is carried out in remembrance of the Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) at Allah’s command. As he was preparing for the sacrifice of his son, miraculously a sacrificial animal was provided as a substitute at the last moment by Allah Almighty. Pilgrims perform Hady in the remembrance of this holy event of Islamic history as well as for those who aren’t performing hajj rituals, Eid-al-Adha is celebrated in which Muslims also perform the sacrifice of an animal known as ‘Qurbani’.

What animals can be slaughtered?

The sacrificial animals must be treated in the best possible manner and they must have to be of a certain age before their sacrifice is carried out. It’s prohibited to sacrifice an animal which is;

• Lame or disabled.
• Visibly sick.
• Emaciated/infirm.
• Injured i.e., its horns, bones, or teeth are broken.

Following animals are slaughtered for Hady.

1. Camel (5 years or older).
2. Cow, Bull, Buffalo, or an Ox (2 years or older).
3. Goat/Ram (1 year or older).
4. Sheep (6 months or 1 year according to other opinions).

Note that a Muslim willing to sacrifice an animal can either opt for a sheep or goat (individually) or he can join up with six other pilgrims (making seven in total) and each buys a share in a camel or a cow.

Where should the Hady be permed?

Hady should only take place in Mina or Makkah as per the narration of Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA). It cannot be performed in your home country.

Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) said in a hadith; (description) All of Mina is a place of sacrifice and every road of Makkah is a thoroughfare and a place of sacrifice.

How to arrange for Hady?

• Through your travel agent; most Hajj packages offered for the pilgrims include the fee for Hady. However, it remains advised to ensure it with your travel agent i.e., if you’re uncertain whether it is included in your package or not.
• Purchase coupons from al-Rajhi Bank; located in Makkah Hilton Towers, it is an Islamic bank that arranges the slaughtering of animals and distributes its meat to the poor and needy.
• Purchase coupons from kiosks; in Makkah or Mina.

These are some of the important things to know about the animal sacrificing in Hajj.