41/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4224 — Udhiyah and Atirah Each Year
There Is No Fara ' And No 'Atirah
Annual Udhiyah and Atirah in a Weak Hadith
Sunan an-Nasai : 4224
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4224
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ زُرَارَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ مُعَاذٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عَوْنٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو رَمْلَةَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مِخْنَفُ بْنُ سُلَيْمٍ، قَالَ بَيْنَا نَحْنُ وُقُوفٌ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِعَرَفَةَ فَقَالَ " يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ فِي كُلِّ عَامٍ أَضْحَاةً وَعَتِيرَةً " . قَالَ مُعَاذٌ كَانَ ابْنُ عَوْنٍ يَعْتِرُ أَبْصَرَتْهُ عَيْنِي فِي رَجَبٍ .
Mikhnaf bin Sulaim Narrated from:
While we were standing with the Messenger of Allah at 'Arafat, he said: 'O people, it is upon each family to offer a sacrifice (Udhiyah) and an 'Atirah each year. (One of the narrators) Muadh said: "Ibn 'Awn used to offer slaughter the 'Atirah, and I saw that with my own eyes during Rajab." (Daif)
[1] Al-Fara' : This refers to pre-Islamic sacrifices that were common in Arabia, and may mean one of three things: (i) the first offspring of camels or sheep, which the people used to sacrifice to their idols; (ii) a sacrifice offered when one's herd of camels reached the number one wanted; (iii) a meal given on the occasion of the birth of camels.[2] 'Atîrah : A sacrifice which the people of pre-Islamic Arabia used to offer to their idols during the month of Rajab.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4224In-book reference : Book 41, Hadith 3English translation : Vol. 5, Book 41, Hadith 4229
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4224
This report says that while the people were standing with the Messenger of Allah at Arafat, he addressed them about an Udhiyah and an Atirah for each household every year. The narration then adds that Ibn Awn used to perform the Atirah in Rajab and that Muadh personally saw him do so. The supplied text labels this hadith as Daif, meaning weak. That label matters when presenting its teaching and prevents the report from being described as firm proof on its own. The narration should therefore be summarized as a weak report containing this statement, not as an unquestionable ruling. Its main subjects are household sacrifice, yearly Udhiyah, Atirah, and the narrator's observation of a Rajab practice.
What we learn from this hadith
- The report mentions Udhiyah and Atirah for a household each year.
- The statement was delivered while the people were at Arafat.
- Muadh said that he personally saw Ibn Awn perform Atirah in Rajab.
- The supplied grading is Daif, so its claim should be presented with care.
