35/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1961b — Abu Burda and Qurbani Timing
The time for sacrifice
Abu Burda Sacrifice Hadith: Good Aim, Correct Time
Sahih Muslim : 1961b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1961b
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، عَنْ دَاوُدَ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ، أَنَّ خَالَهُ أَبَا بُرْدَةَ بْنَ نِيَارٍ، ذَبَحَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَذْبَحَ النَّبِيُّ، صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ هَذَا يَوْمٌ اللَّحْمُ فِيهِ مَكْرُوهٌ وَإِنِّي عَجَّلْتُ نَسِيكَتِي لأُطْعِمَ أَهْلِي وَجِيرَانِي وَأَهْلَ دَارِي . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَعِدْ نُسُكًا " . فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ عِنْدِي عَنَاقَ لَبَنٍ هِيَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ شَاتَىْ لَحْمٍ . فَقَالَ " هِيَ خَيْرُ نَسِيكَتَيْكَ وَلاَ تَجْزِي جَذَعَةٌ عَنْ أَحَدٍ بَعْدَكَ " .
Al-Bara' bin 'Azib Narrated from:
Al-Bara' b. 'Azib reported that his maternal uncle Abu Burda b. Niyar sacrificed his animal earlier than the Prophet (ﷺ) had sacrificed. Thereupon he said: Apostle of Allah, it is the day of meat and it is not desirable (to have longing for it and not to make use of it immediately), so I hastened in offering my animal as a sacrifice, so that I might feed my family and neighbours and my kith and kin.Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Offer again your sacrifice. He said: Messenger of Allah, I have a small milch goat of less than one year, and that is better than two dry goats (from which only) meat (can be acquired). Thereupon he said: That is better than the two animals of sacrifice on your behalf, and the sacrifice of a goat, of less than six months shall not be accepted as a sacrifice on behalf of anyone after your (sacrifice).
[1] He means that people see so much of it that day.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1961bIn-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 7USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 22, Hadith 4824
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1961b
This Hadith shows that a good aim still needs the right timing in worship. Al-Bara' b. Azib reports that Abu Burda b. Niyar sacrificed before the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had sacrificed. Abu Burda explained that it was a day when meat was desired, so he hurried in order to feed his family, neighbors, and relatives. Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told him to offer the sacrifice again. Abu Burda then mentioned a small milch goat less than one year old, better than two dry goats for meat. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) accepted it for him and said that such a young goat would not be accepted for anyone after him. This hadith about Qurbani before Eid prayer teaches timing, obedience, and care in ritual acts.
What we learn from this hadith
- A good reason for hurrying does not change the stated timing of sacrifice.
- Feeding family, neighbors, and relatives is mentioned, but the first sacrifice still had to be repeated.
- Abu Burda received a special allowance for his young goat.
- A personal exception should not be treated as a general rule.
