đ An important clarification
In Islam, sacrifice is an important act of worship performed every year during Eid al-Adha. This practice is a tradition of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), when he was willing to sacrifice his son at Allah's command. Allah accepted this sacrifice and sent a ram to save Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him). In following this tradition, Muslims perform sacrifices every year.
*General Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha Sacrifice)*
The Eid al-Adha sacrifice is obligatory for every Muslim who fulfills the following conditions:
1. Must possess the minimum amount: This means that a person should have sufficient wealth that meets the zakat threshold, which includes gold, silver, cash, trade goods, and excess belongings, whereas the zakat threshold does not include excess belongings.
2. Must be a resident: This means not being a traveler but residing in their city or any location.
3. Must be sane, adult, and Muslim.
It is obligatory for such Muslims to perform a sacrifice, and they do so on the days of Eid al-Adha (10th, 11th, and 12th of Zul-Hijjah).
*Hajj sacrifice (dam-e-shukr)*
The sacrifice performed during Hajj should not be confused with the general sacrifice, as its nature and legal status are different. The Hajj sacrifice is actually called 'dam-e-shukr' and it is obligatory for pilgrims performing Hajj tamattu or qiran. Because these pilgrims perform two acts of worship (Umrah and Hajj) in one journey, they offer a sacrifice (generally a sheep or goat) as a token of gratitude to Allah.
This is the dam:
It is not a general sacrifice but a part of Hajj.
The pilgrim performs it in Mecca.
Most of the time, this arrangement is included in the Hajj package beforehand or the pilgrim arranges for it through an authority or organization.
*A common misconception*
Some people believe that when a pilgrim (haji) offers a sacrifice during Hajj, it is the same as the Eid al-Adha sacrifice, which is incorrect. That sacrifice is called 'dam-e-shukr', which is a part of the Hajj rituals, not the general sacrifice of Eid al-Adha.
Two separate sacrifices for the pilgrim
If a pilgrim
Possesses the minimum amount
Residing (meaning their stay in Mecca is 15 days or more)
Then they will have two sacrifices:
1. A Hajj sacrifice (dam-e-shukr): which is part of the Hajj rituals in Mecca.
2. Second general sacrifice (Eid al-Adha sacrifice): which is obligatory if they possess the minimum amount and are a resident. It is the pilgrim's choice to perform it in Mecca or in their own area. However, pilgrims who are travelers during the days of Hajj, meaning their stay is less than 15 days or they do not possess the minimum amount, are not obligated to perform this sacrifice, which is a tradition of Ibrahim.