HADI
HADY

Hadi (or Hady) is the sacrifice of a camel, cow, sheep, or goat offered by pilgrims.

Before Islam, the Pagan Arabs (including Muhammad) sacrificed animals to the Pagan Gods of the Kaaba. Muhammad is said to have sacrificed a white ram to the goddess al-Uzza (Kitab Asnam, pg 16-17). Many of the traditions observed by Hajj pilgrims were also observed by Pagan Arabs. In fact, the Qur'an commentator Yusuf Ali writes "... the whole of the [pagan] pilgrimage was spiritualized in Islam ..." (Yusuf Ali: fn. 223 on Q. 2:200).

The Qur'an institutes the sacrifice in Sura al-Baqara 2:196:

And complete the Hajj or 'umra in the service of Allah. But if ye are prevented (From completing it), send an offering for sacrifice, such as ye may find, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill, or has an ailment in his scalp, (Necessitating shaving), (He should) in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice; and when ye are in peaceful conditions (again), if any one wishes to continue the 'umra on to the hajj, He must make an offering, such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, He should fast three days during the hajj and seven days on his return, Making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in (the precincts of) the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah Is strict in punishment.

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