Frequently Asked Questions about Uḍḥīyyah

What is the virtue of performing uḍḥīyyah?

Tirmidhī has related from ʿĀʾishah (Allah be pleased with her)  that Rasūlullah ﷺ said: The son of Ādam does not perform any action on the 10^th of Ḍhul Ḥijjah more beloved to Allah than spilling the blood [of sacrificial animals]. Imām Aḥmad has related from Zayd ibn Arqam (Allah be pleased with him) that Rasūlullah ﷺ said that one reward will be received for every strand of hair on the animal’s body.

Is uḍḥīyyah sunnah or wājib?

Uḍḥīyyah is wājib on anyone who owns the niṣāb.

Who is uḍḥīyyah necessary on?

Uḍḥīyyah is necessary on an sane adult Muslim, who is a resident and has the niṣāb for uḍḥīyyah.

What is the niṣāb for uḍḥīyyah becoming wājib?

Uḍḥīyyah is necessary on anyone who, in excess of their basic needs, owns any wealth which amounts to the value of 612.36 grams of silver. This is the same threshold for giving ṣadaqat al fiṭr.

Is uḍḥīyyah wājib on children or even on their behalf?

No.

Can a husband/father pay for the uḍḥīyyah on behalf of his wife and older children?

Yes. It is better to inform them first. However, their uḍḥīyyah will be valid even if the husband/father did it without informing them.

Which date should the uḍḥīyyah be done?

On the 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th of Ḍhul Ḥijjah.

What happens if someone fails to do uḍḥīyyah on the three days?

Ṣadaqah to the value of an animal which can be slaughtered for uḍḥīyyah must be given.

Why do people do uḍḥīyyah on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ? (Abu Dawud, Mahmudiyyah)

As recorded by Abū Dāwūd and others, our beloved Prophet ﷺ slaughtered two rams; one on behalf of himself and his family, and the other on behalf of the ummah. Likewise, Abū Dāwūd and Tirmiḍhī have related that our beloved Prophet ﷺ instructed ʿAlī (Allah be pleased with him) to slaughter on his behalf which he then continued to do.