Is it a valid act to stain one''s

340

Q 4: The Imam in our village leads people in Salah (Prayer). He used to perform the Salah of `Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice) and then perform Wudu' (ablution) before slaughtering his Ud-hiyah. Is it permissible to eat from the Ud-hiyah offered by this person?

A: It was not reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Wudu' before slaughtering his Ud-hiyah. It was also not reported that any of the righteous predecessors or the first three generations whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) testified to be righteous did this. Whoever performs Wudu' in order to slaughter his Ud-hiyah is committing a Bid`ah (innovation in religion). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected." But if a person (Part No. 11; Page No. 434) performs Wudu' in order to slaughter his Ud-hiyah, his Ud-hiyah will be accepted as long as he is a Muslim unless he commits an act of disbelief. It is permissible for him and for others to eat from this Ud-hiyah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.