Every pilgrim performing Hajj Tamattu' or Hajj Qiran is required to offer a sacrifice (hady) - an animal slaughtered in Makkah during the days of Eid. For many first-time pilgrims, this is one of the most confusing obligations: where do you buy the animal? Do you slaughter it yourself? What if you cannot afford it? Here is a clear, practical guide.

Who Must Offer a Sacrifice

A hady is obligatory for pilgrims performing:

  • Hajj Tamattu': Those who performed Umrah first, exited Ihram, then entered Ihram again for Hajj (this is the most common type for international pilgrims)
  • Hajj Qiran: Those who combined Umrah and Hajj in a single Ihram

Pilgrims performing Hajj Ifrad (Hajj only, no preceding Umrah) are not required to offer a hady, though it is recommended.

If you cannot afford a sacrifice, the alternative is to fast for 10 days - three during Hajj and seven after returning home. This is explicitly stated in the Quran (2:196).

When to Sacrifice

The sacrifice must be performed between the 10th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah (the days of Eid al-Adha and the three days of Tashreeq). For Hajj 2026, this is expected to be May 27-30. The ideal time is after the stoning of Jamrat al-Aqaba on the 10th, before shaving your head.

You do not need to slaughter the animal yourself. It is completely permissible - and in practice, what the vast majority of pilgrims do - to authorise someone else to perform the slaughter on your behalf.

Three Ways to Arrange Your Sacrifice

Option 1: Through Your Hajj Operator (Most Common)

Most Hajj packages include the sacrifice or offer it as an add-on. Your tour operator arranges everything - the animal, the slaughter at an approved abattoir in Mina, and the distribution of meat. You simply pay the fee (typically 400-600 SAR / $100-160) and are informed when it is done. This is the simplest option for most pilgrims.

Option 2: Online Sacrifice Services

Several authorised services allow you to arrange your hady online. Platforms like HajjSacrifice.com work with slaughterhouses in Makkah, sacrificing goats of 20-22 kg that meet scholarly requirements. The process takes about 2 minutes to order, costs approximately 800-1,200 SAR depending on the animal type, and all meat is distributed as charity. You receive confirmation once the sacrifice is complete.

Option 3: Personal Purchase at Mina

You can purchase an animal directly from livestock markets near Mina and either slaughter it yourself (if you know how and have the facilities) or take it to one of the designated slaughterhouses. This is the least practical option for international pilgrims but is available for those who prefer it.

What Animal Qualifies

The minimum acceptable sacrifice is a single sheep or goat per person. Alternatively, up to seven people can share in a cow or camel. The animal must be:

  • A sheep at least 6 months old, a goat at least 1 year old, a cow at least 2 years old, or a camel at least 5 years old
  • Free from obvious defects - not blind, not visibly sick, not lame, not emaciated
  • Slaughtered in the Haram area (Makkah and surrounding sacred boundaries)

What Happens to the Meat

According to the Sunnah, the meat should ideally be divided into three portions: one third for the pilgrim and their household, one third given to friends and relatives, and one third distributed to those in need. In practice, most pilgrims using operator or online services have the entire sacrifice distributed as charity - which is perfectly acceptable and ensures the meat reaches those who need it most.

Common Questions

Can I sacrifice before the stoning? The majority of scholars say the order on the 10th is: stoning, then sacrifice, then shaving, then Tawaf. However, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about changing the order and said "do it, there is no harm" (Bukhari 83). If your sacrifice is arranged through an operator and happens at a different time during the 10th-13th, your Hajj is valid.

Is the hady the same as Qurbani/Udhiyah? No. Hady is the pilgrim's sacrifice in Makkah during Hajj. Udhiyah (Qurbani) is the Eid sacrifice performed by Muslims worldwide who are not on Hajj. They are separate obligations.