Is it obligatory for the sacrificer to witness the slaughter of their sacrificial animal?

Eid al-Adha 1447 AH/2026 is just days away. Amid the growth of online sacrificial services and the distribution of sacrificial animals to various regions, many Muslims are still uncertain about how to carry out the ritual. One question is whether the person offering the sacrifice is obliged to witness the slaughter of the animal directly. Ustadz Oni Sahroni explains that the sacrificer is not required to witness the slaughter in person. He says that if a person does not witness the slaughter, the sacrifice remains valid and they still receive reward. However, if it is possible to attend and witness it, that is considered better. ‘The sacrificer is not obliged (not required) to witness the slaughter of their sacrifice,’ Ustadz Oni told, quoting from the book Fikih Kontemporer Terkait Kurban, on Wednesday (20/5/2026). The view is based on several arguments and explanations from fiqh scholars, including the hadith of Prophet Muhammad to Fatimah: قُومِي إِلَى أُضْحِيَّتِكِ فَاشْهَدِيهَا فَإِنَّ لَكِ بِأَوَّلِ قَطْرَةٍ تَقْطُرُ مِنْ دَمِهَا يُغْفَرُ لَكِ مَا سَلَفَ مِنْ ذُنُوبِكِ Artinya: “Berdirilah (wahai Fatimah) untuk kurbanmu dan saksikanlah. Sesungguhnya tetesan darah pertamanya dapat mengampuni dosa-dosamu yang telah lalu.” (HR Al-Hakim)