Is the sacrifice (hady) obligatory for pilgrims performing Hajj al-Tamattu?

The sacrifice (hady) is obligatory for pilgrims performing Hajj al-Tamattu and Hajj al-Qiran, based on the Quranic verse: 'And whoever enjoys Umrah followed by Hajj must offer what is easily available of sacrificial animal. But whoever cannot find (one) — then a fast of three days during Hajj and seven when you return home. That is ten complete days' (2:196). This verse establishes both the obligation of sacrifice and the alternative of fasting for those unable to afford it.

Sheikh Ibn Baz explained that the sacrifice is a gratitude offering (shukr) for the blessing of combining Umrah and Hajj in one journey, saving the pilgrim the cost and effort of separate trips. The minimum acceptable sacrifice is one sheep or goat that meets the age requirements (six months for sheep, one year for goats). Alternatively, a pilgrim may share in a one-seventh portion of a camel or cow (seven pilgrims sharing one camel or cow). The animal must be free of defects that would disqualify it.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen clarified that pilgrims performing Hajj al-Ifrad (Hajj alone without Umrah) are not required to offer a sacrifice, as they did not combine two acts of worship. He also noted that residents of Makkah who perform Tamattu are not required to offer a sacrifice according to the majority of scholars, based on the continuation of the verse: 'This is for those whose family is not present at al-Masjid al-Haram.' The sacrifice obligation applies to non-Makkah residents who perform Tamattu or Qiran.