When does Kurban sacrifice end? Can sacrifices be made on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th days of the Bayram?

As Muslims worldwide prepare to observe Kurban Bayramı, the Feast of Sacrifice, a common question arises regarding the precise timing for fulfilling this significant religious obligation: when does the period for animal sacrifice conclude?

According to Islamic tradition, the act of sacrificing an animal during Kurban Bayramı is a form of worship that is time-bound. Sacrifices performed outside of the designated festival days are not recognized as fulfilling this specific religious duty. The period for sacrifice begins after the Bayram (Eid) prayer and extends for a limited duration.

While the general consensus is that the sacrifice must occur within the festival days, there are slight variations in interpretation between different schools of Islamic jurisprudence. Followers of the Shafi'i school generally consider sacrifices made up until the sunset of the fourth day of the festival to be valid. In contrast, adherents of the Hanafi school typically adhere to a slightly shorter window, considering sacrifices permissible only up to the sunset of the third day of the festival.

It is important to note that the day before the festival, known as Arefe (the day of Arafat), is not considered a day for sacrifice. The primary days for this ritual are the days of the festival itself, with the differing end dates based on jurisprudential interpretations.