“Indeed, the greatest day in the sight of Allah, Blessed and Exalted, is the Day of Sacrifice and then the Day of Qarr.” ‘Īsā said: on the authority of Thawr, ‘It is the second day.’ And he said: ‘Five or six well-fed animals were brought to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, and they approached him to choose with which to begin. When their flanks became ready. (When they fell down dead), he spoke a word in a low voice which I did not understand. I asked, “What did he say?” I was told: “he said: Whoever wishes may cut (from it).”’

Narrated by Aḥmad (no. 19075), Abū Dāwūd (no. 1765, the wording is his), and al-Nasā’ī in al-Kubrā (no. 4083), from the ḥadīth of ʿAbd Allāh ibn Qurṭ—may Allah be pleased with him.
Authenticated in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (no. 2643) and Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan Abī Dāwūd (no. 1549).

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

This ḥadīth clarifies the virtue of the Day of Sacrifice and the Day of Qarr, and their exalted status in the sight of Allah, the Exalted. For He has chosen these days to encompass the greatest symbols of Hajj, to manifest the meanings of servitude, reverence for the sacred ordinances, the performance of acts of drawing near to Him, and the display of obedience and generosity in His cause. Furthermore, a number of scholars have held that the Day of Sacrifice—the tenth of Dhū al-Ḥijjah—is the greatest of all days absolutely, due to the congregation of the most exalted acts of Hajj upon it, including the sacrifice, circumambulation, stoning of the pillars, and other rites; and because it is the day on which the blood of sacrificial animals and offerings is shed throughout the lands. Then in virtue follows the Day of Qarr, which is the day after the Day of Sacrifice, the first of the Days of Tashrīq. It is so named because the pilgrims remain settled in Minā on that day, resting after completing most of the Hajj rites.
The ḥadīth also reveals a facet of the honor of the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—and the support Allah granted him through the signs. Well-fed camels were brought to him, and they approached and moved closely to him, each to be slaughtered in his presence as a form of seeking blessing through him—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. When they were slaughtered and their flanks fell, he said: “Whoever wishes may take (from them)”’ meaning that whoever desired to take from them was permitted to do so.
It is also evidence for the permissibility of taking portions from the meat of sacrificial animals and offerings after permission has been granted.
In the ḥadīth is a clarification of the virtue of these two great days, the exaltation of the symbols of Allah on them, and an indication of the esteemed status of the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—and the manifest honors Allah granted him.