Sacrifice during Eid: for whom, how, and when?

Eid al-Adha (Qurban Bayram) is a sacred festival for Muslims, in which performing a sacrifice is one of the important Sunnah acts. Below are the main rules and conditions related to sacrifice during Eid al-Adha:

Religious basis of sacrifice
The sacrifice commemorates the event when Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was ready to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah's command. This act is performed as a sign of closeness to Allah, piety, and submission.

Who is required to perform the sacrifice?

Sacrifice is obligatory (or Sunnah according to some schools) for a Muslim who:
1. Has reached puberty
2. Is of sound mind
3. Is settled (not traveling)
4. Possesses wealth equal to the Nisab amount (minimum threshold for zakat)
Nisab: approximately 85 grams of gold or equivalent wealth.

What animals are suitable for sacrifice?
1. Sheep/lamb — at least 1 year old (or 6 months if fat enough like a year-old)
2. Goat — at least 1 year old
3. Cow — at least 2 years old (can be shared by up to 7 people)
4. Camel — at least 5 years old (can be shared by up to 7 people)

Animals unsuitable for sacrifice:
- Blind or partially blind
- Lame
- Extremely skinny, with visible bones
- With large parts of ears or tail cut off
- With congenital defects (e.g., born without ears)
- Sick or with signs of contagious disease

Time for sacrifice:
- After Eid prayer, from the morning of the first day of Eid and during the next three days (Ayyam al-Tashreeq: 10–12 Dhul-Hijjah)
- Not obligatory for travelers, but allowed if they wish

How to distribute the sacrificial meat?
- 1/3 – for one's own family
- 1/3 – for relatives, neighbors, acquaintances (even wealthy ones)
- 1/3 – for the needy and poor
- It is also permissible to give all meat as charity
- Meat should not be sold. Skin, head, bones, hooves – must not be sold.

Intention during sacrifice

At the time of sacrifice, one makes the following intention (in heart or aloud):
“Bismillahi Allahu Akbar. This sacrifice is for the sake of Allah, on behalf of [name of person].” Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!