In is a conditional particle; aḥabba is a past-tense verb here meaning 'wished' or 'liked.' Together with thumma yadhbaḥu, the sentence makes the sacrifice conditional and optional in this specific case.
Translating it as 'he must then sacrifice' would erase the condition and alter the legal meaning. Small grammatical particles can make major differences in legal texts.
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Book of Hajj: Jamrat al-Aqabah, Sacrifice, Hair Removal, and First Release
In is a conditional particle; aḥabba is a past-tense verb here meaning 'wished' or 'liked.' Together with thumma yadhbaḥu, the sentence makes the sacrifice conditional and optional in this specific case.
Translating it as 'he must then sacrifice' would erase the condition and alter the legal meaning. Small grammatical particles can make major differences in legal texts.