Hady (Arabic: هدي), also known as Damm al-Shukr (Arabic:دم الشكر), is an animal sacrifice carried out by pilgrims on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. It is wajib for those performing Hajj al-Tamattu and Hajj al-Qiran and sunnah for those performing Hajj al-Ifrad. It is a means of expressing gratitude for being granted the ability to undertake Hajj and Umrah on the same journey.
Significance of Hady
Hady is carried out in remembrance of the prophet Ibrahim’s S willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail S (other narrations mention it was Ishaq S) at Allah’s command. As he was preparing to sacrifice his son, a sacrificial animal was provided as a substitute at the last moment.
The obligation of having to perform the sacrifice during Hajj is stipulated in the following verse:
فَمَنْ تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ❁
And whosoever performs the Umrah in the months of Hajj, before (performing) the Hajj, (i.e. Hajj al-Tamattu and Hajj al-Qiran), must sacrifice a Hady such as is easy (i.e. that you can afford)…
[Surah al-Baqarah, 2:196]
Hady is the noblest act to be carried out on the Day of Nahr, according to the Prophet ﷺ. Aisha J narrates the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
A human does no action from the actions on the day of Nahr more beloved to Allah than spilling blood. On the Day of Judgement, it will appear with its horns, and hair, and hooves, and indeed the blood will be accepted by Allah from where it is received before it even falls upon earth, so let your heart delight in it.
[Narrated in Sunan al-Tirmidhi]
The Prophet ﷺ himself is reported to have sacrificed 63 camels when he performed Hajj. Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq I said:
…he then went to the place of sacrifice and sacrificed 63 (camels) with his own hand. Then he gave the remaining number to Ali I who sacrificed them and he shared his sacrifice with him. He then commanded that a piece of flesh from each sacrificial animal should be put in a pot. When it was cooked, both of them (the Prophet ﷺ and Ali I) took some meat out of it and drank its soup.
[Narrated in Sahih Muslim]
The Animals
The sacrificial animals must be treated in the best possible manner and be of a certain age before the sacrifice is carried out. The following domesticated animals are permitted for Hady:
| Animal | Age |
|---|---|
| Camel | 5 years or older. |
| Cow/Bull/Buffalo/Ox | 2 years or older. |
| Goat/Ram | 1 year or older. |
| Sheep | 6 months or 1 year according to other opinions. |
They should also be healthy and free of any defects, rendering them unsuitable for sacrifice, such as being:
- Lame/disabled.
- Visibly sick.
- Emaciated/infirm.
- Injured, e.g. its horns or teeth are broken.
You can either sacrifice a sheep or goat, or alternatively, you can join six other pilgrims (making seven in total), each buying a share in a camel or a cow.
When is Hady Performed?
Hady may be carried out after performing Rami of Jamarah al-Aqaba on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah up until sunset on the 12th. It must be performed before the hair is cut. If it is carried out before or after this timeframe, a penalty will be due.
If you have arranged for the Hady to be carried out but are unsure of the exact time it will be carried out, you should perform Rami of Jamarah al-Aqaba as early as possible and cut your hair as late as possible (just before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah) to ensure the sacrifice takes place within the correct timeframe.
Pilgrims performing Hajj al-Ifrad may carry out the Hady after cutting their hair if they choose to partake in the sacrifice. It does not have to be performed immediately after Rami. However, the time period in which to complete the sacrifice is the same as the other two types of Hajj.
Where is Hady Performed?
Hady should take place in Mina or Makkah according to Jabir ibn Abdullah I, who narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
All of Mina is a place of sacrifice. Every mountain pass of Makkah is a thoroughfare and a place of sacrifice. All of Arafat is the place of standing, and all of Muzdalifah is a place of standing.
[Narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud]
It must not be performed in your home country.
How to Arrange Hady
Hady may be arranged via the following options:
- Through your travel agent. Most Hajj package prices cover the Hady fee. If you’re uncertain whether it is included in your package, ensure you query this with your travel agent.
- Utilize the Adahi website.
Slaughterhouses
There are a number of modern slaughterhouses in Mina and Muzdalifah. It is a sunnah to perform your sacrifice in Mina, although it is completely acceptable for it to take place in Muzdalifah and Makkah.
After you have performed Rami, if you have returned to your camp in Mina, you can go directly to the slaughterhouses where the sacrifices are performed. There are kiosks outside the slaughterhouses selling coupons, which may be purchased if prior arrangements haven’t already been made. You can either have someone carry out the sacrifice in front of you, or you may perform the sacrifice yourself. Remember that millions of animals are being slaughtered in this area, so it certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted.
If you have ventured to a slaughterhouse in Muzdalifah, return to your camp in Mina after the sacrifice to have your hair cut, where it is a sunnah to do so.
If you are not going to witness or perform the sacrifice yourself, make sure someone reliable is present to ensure the sacrifice is carried out.
How to Perform Hady Yourself
If you’re planning to carry out the Hady yourself, ensure you inform your tour operator in advance so you won’t have to pay additional money to have someone else perform the sacrifice on your behalf.
Before performing the sacrifice, keep in mind that every care should be taken to slaughter the animal without subjecting it to unnecessary pain. The animal should then be placed on its left side facing the Qibla and the following du’a should be recited prior to the sacrifice:
إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ❁ إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ❁ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ❁
Innī wajahtu wajhiya li lladhī faṭara s-samawāti wa l-arḍa ḥanīfan wa mā anā mina l-mushrikīn, inna ṣalatī wa nusukī wa maḥyāya wa mamātī li-Llāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn, la sharīka lahu wa bi dhalika umirtu wa anā awwalu l-muslimīn.
Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah [6:79]. Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He [6:162]. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims [6:163].
[Narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah]
When slaughtering, recite:
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَاَللهُ أَكْبَرُ ❁
Bismi Llāhi wa Llāhu akbar.
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.
After the sacrifice, recite:
بِاسْمِ اللهِ ❁ اللّٰهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ❁
Bismi Llāh. Allāhumma taqabbal min Muḥammadin wa āli Muḥammadin wa min ummati Muḥammad.
In the name of Allah. O Allah, accept [this sacrifice] on behalf of Muhammad ﷺ and the family of Muhammad ﷺ and the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ”.
[Narrated in Sahih Muslim]
Following the sacrifice, you can eat from it yourself and distribute it in any way you wish, regardless of whether the one you feed is rich or poor. It is mustahabb that you eat one-third, give one-third in Sadaqah (charity), and give the remaining one-third to family and neighbours.
Fasting Instead of Hady
If an individual cannot afford the Hady, fasting is permitted in lieu of it. Allah says:
فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌ كَامِلَةٌ ❁
But if he cannot afford it, he should fast three days during Hajj and seven days after you return (home), making ten days in all.
[Surah al-Baqarah, 2:196]
It is recommended to fast for three days before the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, as the Prophet ﷺ indicated that the days beyond this point, i.e. the days of Tashreeq, are for eating. However, if you can’t manage this, it’s permissible to fast on these days. You must also ensure you remember to fast for seven days when you arrive home.