Is qurbani on behalf of the family allowed in Islamic law? Qurbani is an act of worship that is performed once a year with the ruling of sunnah muakad. It is a Sunnah that is highly recommended to be performed by Muslims. Usually, qurbani is performed on behalf of individuals, but what is the ruling on family qurbani according to Shariah? Check out the following review.
Family Qurbani for One Goat
There are some scholars in the Maliki school of thought who believe that it is permissible to sacrifice one goat. However, it comes with three conditions: living together, being related, and having the same family and provider. If these three conditions are met, then the sacrifice can be considered valid and each family member will still get the reward of sacrificing a goat.
The scientific research and fatwa committee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was asked a question about family sacrifices. The question was: There is a family consisting of 22 members who live in one house and live off the income of one person. During Eid al-Adha, the family wants to offer a sacrifice with a goat. Can one goat be considered valid? Or should more than one goat be sacrificed?
The scholars of the research committee Al Lajnah Ad Daimah answered: If there are many family members living in the same house, then it is permissible to offer a sacrifice on behalf of the family. However, it is better if the family sacrifices more than one animal.
As long as the family members live together in the same house, are related, and their maintenance is covered by one family member, then the family members can also get the reward equivalent to sacrificing one sheep. Wallahu a’lam bish shawab.
Read also: This is the Correct Time to Slaughter Sacrificial Animals, Don’t Let Your Sacrifice Be Invalid
The Hadith on Qurbani on behalf of the family
In the book of Tirmidhi, it is mentioned that one sheep can be sacrificed on behalf of a family. It is written in his book, “Ata’b Yasar said: I asked Abu Ayyub al-Ansari radhiyallahu anhu how people sacrificed at the time of the Prophet. Abu Ayyub who said, “At the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) a man (husband) slaughtered a sheep as a sacrifice for himself and his family. They ate it and distributed it to everyone…” (narrated by Tirmidhi, and he considered it saheeh, Minhaajul Muslim, pp. 26 and 266).
A narration from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) also explains this. He said, “We slaughtered with the Prophet at Hudaibiah a camel for seven people and a cow for seven people.” (HR Muslim).
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sacrificed two fat sheep with horns, one for himself and his family, and the other for those who did not sacrifice on behalf of his people.” (Ibn Majah 3122, authenticated by al-Albani in Irwaul Ghalil [4/353]).
From the above hadith, we can understand that sacrificing on behalf of one’s family is permissible according to sharee’ah. This was practiced by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet’s Companions also sacrificed on behalf of their families, and they did not distribute the sacrifice on behalf of their children and wives.
Read also: Does Patience Have Its Limits? Perspectives in Islam & Examples from the Prophets
Qurbani on behalf of family according to scholars
According to an Indonesian scholar, Arif Matuhin in his book Islamic Philanthropy: Jurisprudence for Social Justice, is of the view that one goat can be intended for the sahibul kurban or the person who sacrifices and his entire family. Including cow sacrifice, one goat can be intended for seven families, not limited to seven people. However, it must fulfill three important conditions such as living in the same house, being related, and being supported by the same person. If one of these conditions is not met, then it is not permissible to sacrifice on behalf of the family.
A. R. Shohibul Ulum in the book Kitab Fikih Se-hari writes about the discussion of Hasyiyah Jamal, which explains that if one of the family members sacrifices, the ‘ain sunnah is waived, or the requirement to perform the sunnah of sacrifice is waived. However, this does not mean that they (the family members) get a permanent reward as atonement for the soul. The reward is reserved for the one who performs the sacrifice.
On the other hand, according to Imam Ramli, all family members who are named in the sacrifice are equally rewarded. Not only for the person who sacrifices. This means that one person who sacrifices in a family is enough to fulfill the obligation of sacrifice for that family, and all members get the reward of sacrifice. (Al-Bajuri, juz 2, page 296).
Wallahu a’lam.
Read also: Sunnah of slaughtering qurbani animals: is it permissible to cut nails and hair?
Saving the Rewards of Qurbani through Dompet Dhuafa
Although there are various perspectives on the ruling of qurbani on behalf of the family. We need to believe that qurbani in the name of Allah is the most important thing. Qurbani teaches us to surrender to fulfill His commandments. Qurbani teaches us to be more caring to others. You can save the reward of qurbani through Dompet Dhuafa. Qurbani animals originating from Dompet Dhuafa’s farmer empowerment program are guaranteed quality and health. Qurbani meat is also widely distributed to remote areas of the country. Learn more about qurbani at Dompet Dhuafa by clicking the picture below.
