What are the rules for animal sacrifice during হজ্জ?

The animal sacrifice (hady) is ওয়াজিব (wajib) for হাজীগণ performing হজ্জ Tamattu (those who perform উমরাহ, exit ইহরাম, then enter ইহরাম again for হজ্জ) and হজ্জ Qiran (those who combine উমরাহ and হজ্জ in a single ইহরাম). Pilgrims performing হজ্জ Ifrad (হজ্জ only, without উমরাহ) are not required to offer a sacrifice, though it is মুস্তাহাব.

Acceptable animals include: a sheep or goat (one per হাজী), a cow (shared among up to 7 হাজীগণ), or a camel (shared among up to 7 হাজীগণ). The animal must meet minimum age requirements — sheep must be at least 6 months old, goats 1 year, cows 2 years, and camels 5 years. The animal should be healthy and free from defects: not blind in one eye, not obviously lame, not emaciated, and not missing a significant portion of an ear or horn.

The sacrifice should ideally be performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr — Day of Sacrifice), as part of the day's sequence: stoning, then sacrifice, then shaving/trimming, then তাওয়াফ. However, the sacrifice may be delayed until before sunset on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Most হাজীগণ today arrange their sacrifice through the Saudi Project for Utilization of Hady and Udhiyah (the official sacrifice management organization), which handles the slaughter and distributes the meat to the poor worldwide. You simply pay the fee and receive a certificate confirming the sacrifice was performed.