CHAPTER 18 – RIDING SACRIFICIAL CAMELS
Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saw a man leading a sacrificial camel towards the Ka'bah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded him, "Mount it." The man said, “It is for sacrifice.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, then ordered him, either for the second or third time, "Woe to you, mount it!" [536]
**Explanation:**
According to Imām Abū Hanīfah, one may not ride a sacrificial animal even if in dire need. If one does ride it and diminishes its value, they must compensate for what was diminished. The legal opinion of Sufyān al-Thawrī is also the same. According to Ahmad ibn Hanbal, there are no restrictions whatsoever on riding [a sacrificial animal]. Shāfi’ī states: if one is in need, he may ride it and carry a load as well. Mālik says: One may ride it provided that no harm is done; there is no objection. (Bezl-ul-Majhūd, vol. 8, p. 355)
Abū Zubayr narrated to me:
I asked Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) about riding an animal for sacrifice. Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) say: ‘When you need it, ride in a commendable manner until you find a mount.’”