Udhiyah is the sacrifice of a qualifying animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel, meeting age and health conditions) on Eid al-Adha and the following days of Tashreeq, in remembrance of Ibrahim's sacrifice. Anas reported that the Prophet ﷺ himself slaughtered two black-and-white rams with his own hands, saying Allah's name and the takbir over them (Bukhari 5558) — establishing that performing the slaughter oneself, where able, is the more excellent practice, though having it done on one's behalf is also valid.

The Qur'an directly ties the sacrifice to sharing its meat: '...eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar' (Qur'an 22:36). The meat is generally shared between one's own household, family and friends, and the poor, so that the occasion combines worship, generosity, and gratitude.

The sacrifice should take place after the Eid prayer, not before — one companion who had slaughtered early was told by the Prophet ﷺ to repeat it, since a sacrifice offered before the prayer is not counted as udhiyah. Rulings on who exactly is obligated to offer it, and precise timing windows, vary by school; consult a qualified local scholar for your situation.