Answer: All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The uḍḥiyyah (sacrificial animal) is a confirmed Sunnah, a sacred act of worship, and one of the great rites of Allah that must be held in the highest reverence — for venerating it is a sign of true God-consciousness. Allah the Almighty says: "That is so. And whoever venerates the rites of Allah — indeed, that is from the piety of hearts." [Al-Ḥajj/32] It is a noble act of devotion carrying profound meanings — embodying the spirit of sacrifice, ransom, and complete submission to the command of Allah the Almighty, and strengthening bonds of brotherhood, solidarity, and generosity within the community. Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the rites of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when they are lined up for sacrifice; and when they have fallen on their sides, eat from them and feed the needy supplicant and the needy who does not ask. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful. Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that to which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good." [Al-Ḥajj/36–37]
That said, among what must be observed when performing this rite — alongside adherence to its Sunnahs and etiquettes — is that the slaughter must not take place haphazardly in public squares, streets, roads, or in front of residential buildings in a manner that creates health hazards and endangers public safety. Such conduct is not permissible, as it causes harm to others. Rather, the slaughter should take place in designated facilities such as licensed slaughterhouses, or in locations specifically allocated by the relevant authorities for this purpose.
A Muslim is always careful to avoid causing harm to others, in obedience to the words of the Prophet ﷺ: "A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and a true emigrant is one who abandons what Allah has prohibited." — Narrated by Imam Aḥmad. Likewise, a Muslim is not permitted to act in a manner that harms others, in accordance with the well-established Prophetic principle: "There shall be no harm inflicted nor harm reciprocated." — Narrated by Ibn Mājah.
In conclusion, the uḍḥiyyah is a confirmed Sunnah, one of the great rites of Allah, and a noble act of worship — among the most beloved deeds through which a Muslim draws closer to Allah during these blessed days. It is obligatory to ensure that the slaughter takes place in designated locations, in a manner that causes no harm, no health hazards, and no distress to the people. And Allah Almighty knows best.
