Fatwā

Qurbāni on behalf of the deceased

by

Mufti Mohammad Taha Karaan

QUESTION

May one perform a sacrifice (qurbāni) on behalf of the deceased without their instruction?

ANSWER

According to the Shāfiʿī madh-hab, to sacrifice an animal on behalf of a deceased person if they had made a wasiyah will be allowed, otherwise a sacrifice may not be offered on their behalf, but we may intend that Allah join them in the reward.

There is an opinion of Abul Hassan Al-‘Abadi that we may join the deceased as a partner of that sacrifice. That is slaughter on their behalf.

قال النووي في (المجموع): أما التضحية عن الميت فقد أطلق أبو الحسن العبادي جوازها لأنها ضرب من الصدقة والصدقة تصح عن الميت وتنفعه وتصل اليه بالإجماع . وقال صاحب العدة والبغوي : لا تصح التضحية عن الميت إلا أن يوصى بها وبه قطع الرافعي في المحرر . وقال الشيخ ابراهيم المروروذي وصاحب العدة وآخرون: ولو ذبح عن نفسه وإشترط غيره في ثوابها جاز.

(٢٣٣/٨)

In conclusion, if a person wishes to sacrifice on behalf of the deceased, then one may do so without any fear of dislike or prohibition.

وﷲ تعالى أعلم

And Allah knows best

M.T.Karaan
DUAI Fatwa Department