The animal sacrifice is one of the defining rites of Hajj - a direct connection to the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to Allah's command. For Hajj 2026, understanding who must sacrifice, what animals are acceptable, and how to arrange it practically will save you confusion during the busiest day of the pilgrimage.

Who Must Sacrifice?

Whether the sacrifice (known as hady in the Hajj context) is obligatory depends on which type of Hajj you are performing:

  • Tamattu' (Umrah then Hajj separately): Sacrifice is obligatory (wajib). This is the type most international pilgrims perform.
  • Qiran (Umrah and Hajj combined in one Ihram): Sacrifice is obligatory (wajib).
  • Ifrad (Hajj only, no Umrah): Sacrifice is recommended (mustahabb) but not obligatory. This type is most common among Makkah residents.

The vast majority of overseas pilgrims perform Tamattu' and therefore must arrange a sacrifice. If you are unsure which type you are performing, check with your Hajj operator - it will have been determined when you entered Ihram at the Miqat.

What Animals Are Acceptable?

The sacrifice must be from one of the following:

  • Sheep or goat: One animal per person. Sheep must be at least 6 months old (some scholars say 1 year); goats must be at least 1 year old.
  • Cow: Can be shared among up to 7 people (each person pays 1/7 of the cost). Must be at least 2 years old.
  • Camel: Can be shared among up to 7 people. Must be at least 5 years old.

The animal must be free of defects that diminish its value. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) specified four disqualifying defects: a lame animal whose limp is obvious, a one-eyed animal whose defect is obvious, a sick animal whose sickness is obvious, and an emaciated animal with no marrow in its bones (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1497, Abu Dawud 2802).

When Is the Sacrifice Performed?

The sacrifice is performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr / Eid al-Adha) after pelting the big Jamarah. It can also be performed on the 11th, 12th, or 13th of Dhul Hijjah (the Days of Tashriq). The Sunnah order on the 10th is: pelting, then sacrifice, then shaving - but performing them out of order is permissible without penalty based on the explicit hadith: "Do it, and there is no harm" (Sahih al-Bukhari 83).

How It Works Practically in 2026

In the modern Hajj, most pilgrims do not personally slaughter their animal. Instead, the sacrifice is arranged through one of three channels:

  • Your Hajj operator: Most packages include the sacrifice as a bundled service. The operator arranges it in bulk through authorised slaughterhouses. You pay as part of your package and the sacrifice is performed on your behalf on the 10th.
  • Official Saudi sacrifice banks: The Saudi government operates authorised facilities where you can purchase a sacrifice voucher. The meat is processed, packaged, and distributed to the needy across the Muslim world through charitable organisations.
  • Personal arrangement: Some pilgrims buy and slaughter the animal themselves, though this is less common today. Markets in Mina sell sacrificial animals during the Hajj days.

You do NOT need to be physically present at the slaughter. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself delegated Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to complete the remaining sacrifices on his behalf (Sahih Muslim 1218). Authorising someone else to perform it for you is fully established in the Sunnah.

If You Cannot Afford the Sacrifice

Allah has provided a clear alternative for those who genuinely cannot afford a sacrificial animal. The Quran states: "And whoever cannot find [an animal for sacrifice] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]" (Quran 2:196).

The three days during Hajj should ideally be fasted before the Day of Arafah (the 6th, 7th, and 8th of Dhul Hijjah). Some scholars permit fasting on the 11th-13th instead, based on the report of Aishah and Ibn Umar: "Fasting on the Days of Tashriq was not permitted except for one who could not find a sacrifice" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1997). The seven days are fasted after returning home.

What Happens to the Meat?

Traditionally, the meat from the sacrifice is divided into three portions: one-third for the pilgrim and their family, one-third for friends and neighbours, and one-third for the poor. In practice, when using the Saudi sacrifice banks, the entire animal is processed and distributed to those in need - both locally in Saudi Arabia and to Muslim communities worldwide through partner charities.

Allah says: "Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is taqwa (piety/consciousness) from you" (Quran 22:37). The sacrifice is not about the blood or the meat. It is about your willingness to give up something of value for the sake of Allah - echoing Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice what he loved most.

What Pilgrims Should Do

  • Confirm with your Hajj operator whether the sacrifice is included in your package. If not, arrange it separately before you travel.
  • For those booking independently: The Saudi sacrifice voucher system (available through the Nusuk platform) is the simplest option. Purchase online before the 10th.
  • Know when you can shave/cut hair: After the sacrifice is complete (or confirmed), you perform halq (shaving) or taqsir (trimming), which triggers your partial release from Ihram.
  • If you genuinely cannot afford it: Begin fasting the three Hajj days before the 9th. This is the halal alternative and carries no shame.