Is it required to mention the name of the Muslim who is sacrificing a sheep?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

The original purpose of slaughtering a sheep is to give its meat to the poor. It is called a sacrifice because the days on which a Muslim slaughters a sheep are specific. For example, a sacrifice is an animal that is slaughtered on the Day of Slaughter (the tenth of Dhul-Hijja) or the Days of Tashriq (the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth of Dhul-Hijja). Therefore, if the animal is sacrificed on the due day, it is not necessary to mention the name of the Muslim who slaughters, rather, the intention is enough as the prophet says: “Actions are but by intention.”. However, mentioning the name is preferable.

Ibn Uthaymeen was asked the following question: “Is it stipulated to mention the name of a Muslim who wants to sacrifice?”

He answered: “It would be better to mention the name because when the prophet (PBUH) sacrificed, he said: “O Allah! This is from You and to You. O Allah, this is from Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.”

Ibn Uthaymeen said: “If one does not mention the name, it is accepted because the intention is enough, but mentioning the name is preferable.” Total Fatwas of Ibn Uthaymeen

Consequently, if you tell the butcher the purpose behind slaughtering the animal, he will have the same intentions of yours as you entitled him to act in behalf of you. If you tell him nothing, your intentions are adequate as you entitled him to slaughter in behalf of you, and it is not required to let the butcher have the same intentions.

An-Nawawi gives a similar opinion. If a Muslim entitles a butcher without telling him the name, it does not matter. However, if the butcher was informed, it is fine.