Question: Is it obligatory to sacrifice (animal) at Hajj?
There is no such thing as Pilgrimage Sacrificial. All the sects agree upon the fact that there is not an obligatory sacrifice due to performing the Pilgrimage. The sacrifice performed at Hajj is the Eid al-Adha sacrifice according to the verse 22:28 (Al-Hajj/ The Pilgrimage).
According to the verse 2:196 (Baqarah/ The Cow), a person must sacrifice only if he/she has arrived at Mecca from another city and has also performed Umrah until Hajj. If Umrah was not performed before Hajj, then sacrifice is not obligatory.
“Complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for the sake of pleasing Allah. But if you are prevented, then send what can be obtained with ease of presents (sacrificial animals). And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head must offer a ransom of fasting or charity or sacrifice. When you are secure, then whoever benefits from Umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj offers what can be obtained with ease of presents (sacrificial animals). And whoever cannot find (or cannot afford) then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned. Those are ten days in total. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.” (Al-Baqarah/ The Cow 2:196)
This is the only sacrifice the pilgrims (Hajis) should slaughter. And if pilgrims are going to sacrifice an animal (sheep, goat, beef, camel) for Eid Al-Adha, that should be performed at Mecca, not when they return home. This is what Allah commands above.
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