Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The first thing we do on this day (of Eid) is that we perform the (Eid) prayer, then return (home) and perform the sacrifice. So whoever does this has followed our way, and whoever slaughters (the animal) before the prayer, it is just meat that he has prepared for his family and it will not be considered a sacrifice. And Sayyiduna Abu Burdah bin Niyar (may Allah be pleased with him) had already slaughtered (his animal). He said: I have a jadha’ah (a sheep less than one year old) which is better than a musinnah (a sheep more than one year old). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then slaughter it, but it will not be permissible for anyone after you.