Eid al-Adha Sacrifice Prayer: Recitation and Meaning
Happy Eid al-Adha! At this time, Muslims are encouraged to perform the sacrificial ritual. The sacrifice can be carried out after the Eid al-Adha prayer on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah until the Days of Tashriq, which are the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah.
When slaughtering a sacrificial animal, it is recommended to recite the prayer beforehand. According to the official website of Bimas Islam under Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, in the book Al-Fiqh Al-Islami wa Adillatuhu, Sheikh Wahba Al-Zuhaili states that the prayer sequence includes the basmala, blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW), takbir (proclamation of Allah’s greatness), followed by a supplication for the sacrifice to be accepted by Allah.
The most complete prayer when slaughtering a sacrificial animal is as follows:
وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، إِنَّ صَلاَتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ. بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ. اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ. اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلهِ الْحَمْد. اَللَّهُمَّ هَذِهِ مِنْكَ وَإِلَيْكَ اَللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّيْ /مِنْ فُلاَن كَمَا تَقَبَّلْتَ مِنْ اِبْرَاهِيْمَ خَلِيْلِكَ.
Meaning: I turn my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth in sincere devotion, and I am not among the polytheists. Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. He has no partner, and I have been commanded to this, and I am among the Muslims. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad and his family. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is due to Him. O Allah, this is from You and to You. Accept it from me / from [name of the person making the sacrifice], as You accepted it from Ibrahim, Your beloved friend.
According to NU Online, the sacrificial animal slaughter prayer is as follows:
- Recite ‘Bismillah’ (بِسْمِ اللهِ) Meaning: ‘In the name of Allah’
It is more complete to say ‘Bismillâhir rahmânir rahîm’ (بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ) Meaning: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful’
- Recite salawat for Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ
Allâhumma shalli alâ sayyidinâ muhammad, wa alâ âli sayyidinâ muhammad.
Meaning: ‘O Lord, send blessings upon our master Muhammad and his family.’
- Recite takbir three times and tahmid once
اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allâhu akbar, Allâhu akbar, Allâhu akbar, walillâhil hamd
Meaning: ‘Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is due to Him.’
- Recite the sacrifice prayer
اَللَّهُمَّ هَذِهِ مِنْكَ وَإِلَيْكَ فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّيْ يَا كَرِيْمُ
Allâhumma hâdzihî minka wa ilaika, fataqabbal minnî yâ karîm
Meaning: ‘O Lord, this is from You and to You. Accept it from me, O Most Generous.’
Etiquette and Timing for Reciting the Eid al-Adha Sacrifice Prayer
According to BAZNAS, the optimal time to recite the Eid al-Adha sacrifice prayer is when the animal is about to be slaughtered, just before cutting its throat. At this moment, the slaughterer raises the intention for the sacrifice in their heart and recites the prayer aloud.
In addition to timing, the position and posture during slaughter are part of the etiquette. The animal should face the qibla, and the slaughterer recites the prayer clearly and with deep reflection.
It is also important to ensure the knife is sharp and the animal is not tortured before slaughter. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasised kindness even during slaughter, and the Eid al-Adha sacrifice prayer is part of this compassionate practice.
If someone delegates the sacrifice (e.g., through a committee), they are also encouraged to recite the Eid al-Adha sacrifice prayer when submitting their intention to the committee. This ensures the sincerity of the intention and the blessings of the act.