Al-Bara’ Bin Malik r.a. said, the Prophet addressed us on the Day of Sacrifice saying, “The first thing we do on this day of ours is to pray (the Eidul Adha prayers); then we return and sacrifice (perform Korban). If anyone does that, he has correctly followed our custom (sunnah)…”
[Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim]
When should the Korban be carried out?
Korban can only be performed after the Eid Prayers of Eidul Adha, or Hari Raya Haji (10th of Zulhijjah), until the end of 13 Zulhijjah (last day of Tashreeq).
As the period is very specific and limited, anyone who intends to perform Korban typically would select a Korban program several weeks earlier.
Can I do Korban for a loved one who has passed away?
Scholars have different opinions on this matter.
- Some scholars of the Shafi’i Mazhab opine that we may only do so on their behalf if it has been cited in their will (wasiat).
- Scholars of the Maliki, Hanafi & Hanbali Mazhab, along with some other Shafi’i scholars permit us to perform Korban for the deceased. This is on the basis that Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. performed Korban for his family and ummah (as narrated by Imam Muslim), some of whom may have passed away.
How many animals should I sacrifice for my family?
The rewards of sacrificing one sheep (or a goat) is sufficient for a man (head of household) and his family.
It was narrated that Abu Ayyub al-Ansari r.a. said, ‘At the time of the Prophet ﷺ, a man would sacrifice a sheep on behalf of himself and his household, and they would eat some and give some to others.’ [Narrated by Imam at-Tirmidhi]
Is it fine for me to cut my nails and hair if I want to do Korban?
According to Imam Ash-Shafi’i, it is sunnah for anyone who intends to perform Korban to abstain from cutting their hair and nails from 1st Zulhijjah. Imam An-Nawawi explains that it is so that these body parts are saved from the Hellfire.
However, it is not wrong to cut our nails during this period, especially if our nails grew excessively long, for example. Hygiene is part of our religion, afterall!
Are Korban and Aqiqah the same ibadah?
No, Korban and Aqiqah are two separate ibadahs. Among the key differences are 1. the occasion the two are performed on, and 2. their occurrence.
Korban is only performed after the Eidul Adha prayers are conducted, and it may be a yearly affair. Aqiqah, however, is only performed once in a lifetime upon the birth of a child by his/her parents.
Q&A on Aqiqah
Must I sacrifice 2 sheep as Aqiqah for my son?
In a hadith narrated by Imam Abu Daud, the Prophet ﷺ said, “If anyone has a child born to him and wishes to offer a sacrifice on its behalf, he may offer two sheep for a boy and one for a girl.”
However, if we are not financially comfortable to slaughter two sheep for a boy as Aqiqah, one suffices, and the deed will be accepted inshaAllah. It is narrated by Imam Abu Daud that Rasulullah ﷺ sacrificed a ram for both al-Hasan and al-Husayn each.
When is the best time to offer Aqiqah?
It is a sunnah to offer Aqiqah 7 days after the birth of a child.
The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Every child is held in pledge for his aqiqah, which should be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, and he should be shaved and given his name.’ [narrated by Imam Abu Dawud]
What if I cannot afford to do Aqiqah after 7 days of my child’s birth?
It is not sinful if the Aqiqah is delayed beyond 7 days after the birth, and the Aqiqah may be offered once the Muslim is able to do so.
If the period of Aqiqah coincides with the day to perform Korban, may I combine the two together?
1st Opinion: The Maliki & Shafi’i Mazhabs, along with some Hanbali do not allow the two to be combined, as they serve their own separate purpose.
2nd Opinion: The Hanafi Mazhab and some Hanbali scholars allow the two to be combined, as they serve the same purpose: that is for the doer to be closer to Allah.
Q&A on Hajj
Can I take out loans to finance my Hajj?
Hajj is only obligatory for the one who is able to do it; this includes being able to financially afford it, and having the physical ability to travel and perform the rituals.
If a person takes a loan that does not involve riba in it, his Hajj will still be valid – Allah willing – but he is not recommended to do so.
What must I do to ensure my Hajj is valid?
To ensure the Hajj is valid, a Muslim must ensure that all Rukun of Hajj are performed in order. The 5 rukun of Hajj to be performed in order according to the Mazhab of Syafi’i are:
- Ihram
- Wuquf at Arafah
- Tawaf Ifadah
- Sa’i Al-Hajj, and
- Tahallul (shaving or cutting of the hair)
I am not able to perform Hajj this year, is there anything else I can do to get closer to Allah in Zulhijjah?
Amongst the acts of worship which we can perform is to fast the first nine days of Zulhijjah.
Some of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ said, ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, Ashura’ and three days of every month – the first Monday and two Thursdays.’ [narrated by Imam An-Nasa’i]
