When is the Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) slaughtered?

The time for sacrificing the Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) begins after the Eid al-Adha prayer and ends at sunset on the thirteenth day of Dhul-Hijjah. Thus, there are four days for sacrifice: the day of Eid and three days thereafter. It is preferable to hasten the sacrifice after the Eid prayer, following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and to eat from one's sacrifice first. It is permissible to slaughter both at night and during the day, though slaughtering during the day is preferable, and on the day of Eid after the two sermons is best. Each day is better than the one that follows it in terms of hastening to do good deeds. As for someone who slaughters before the completion of theEid prayer or after sunset on the thirteenth day, their Udhiyah is not valid, unless the delay was due to an excuse, such as the sacrificial animal escaping or the agent forgetting.