Yahya related to me from Malik from Umara ibn Yasar that Ata ibn
Yasar told him that Abu Ayyub al-Ansari had told him, "We used to
sacrifice one sheep, and a man sacrificed for himself and his family.
Then later on people began to compete with each other and it became
boasting."
Malik said, "The best that I have heard about a
single camel, cow or sheep, is that a man should sacrifice a camel for
himself and his family. He sacrifices a cow or sheep which he owns for
his family, and shares with them in it. It is disapproved for a group
of people to buy a camel, cow or sheep, to share for the ritual and
sacrifices, each man giving a share of its price, and taking a share
of its meat. We have heard the tradition that people do not share in
the ritual. However, it may be that the people of one household can
share."