Essentials of the Eid Sacrifice (Qurbani): A summarized compilation of the rulings concerning the major aspects of the Eid sacrifice

Contents
The Eid Sacrifice: Meaning, Background, Importance
The Legal Position of the Sacrifice
Who Must Sacrifice
The Kind of Animal to Sacrifice
Age and Types of Animals
Physical Condition of the Animal
Defects Which Invalidate the Sacrifice
Defects After the Animal is Selected.
Defects That Render the Sacrifice Undesirable (Makrūh)
The Best Animal to Sacrifice
The Time of the Sacrifice
How to Perform the Act of Sacrifice
Before the Sacrifice
At the Time of Sacrifice
Division and Distribution of the Meat
The True Essence of Sacrifice


The Eid Sacrifice: Meaning, Background, Importance:

What is al-uḍḥiya (qurbānī)?
Al-Uḍḥiya refers to an animal sacrificed as a devotional act at a given time. More specifically, it refers to certain kinds of animals (cattle) that are slaughtered during the days of Eid al-Aḍḥā.
This sacrifice was prescribed during the second year after hijrah, along with zakāh and Eid prayers. It is affirmed by the Quran, hadith and consensus of all Muslims.

Allah Almighty says:
So pray to your Lord and sacrifice (2:108)

And we have designated the budn for you(cows, oxen, or camels driven to be offered as sacrifices by the pilgrims at the sanctuary of Makkah) from amongst the Symbols of Allah. (22:36)

ʿĀʾisha –Allah be pleased with her- narrates from the Prophet –peace upon him: The son of Adam does not do any action on the day of slaughtering (Eid al-Aḍḥā) more beloved to Allah than spilling of blood of slaughtered animals. Surely the sacrificed animals will come on the day of judgement with their horns, hooves and coats. Verily the blood reaches a position of divine acceptance before it reaches the ground, so perform these rites enthusiastically. (al-Ḥākim, Ibn Mājah, al-Tirmidhī)[1]