Slaughtering An Animal In Sadaqah
Question
Is the practice of slaughtering an animal to give the meat in Sadaqah established in the Shariah? For example, when a person is sick, or, when bestowed with any Ni’mah, or even just in general for Barakah, or to avert calamities?
If yes, can a bull also be slaughtered and divided in 7 shares between different people? All for Sadaqah, or some for Sadaqah and some for meat only?
Answer
We could not locate any narration which states that Sadaqah is discharged by slaughtering an animal, and thereafter, giving the meat in charity. However, it should be borne in mind that Sadaqah in Shariah means to give something for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala to the poor and needy. This can be done by either giving the cash or buying meat and handing it over to the poor. It is not necessary to slaughter an animal.
Maulana Thanvi Rahimahullah has written that many people are under the impression that Sadaqah is only discharged by slaughtering an animal and distributing the meat amongst the poor. They further state that, ‘a life is in lieu of a life,’ whereas Shariah does not permit such a belief. Many people believe that calamities are removed by slaughtering animals which is Haraam. [Fataawa Qaasmiyyah Pg.387 Vol.11].
AND ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
صدق کے معنی سچائی کے ہیں، غالباً صدقہ کا لفظ اسی سے ماخوذ ہے عند الشرع صدقہ ہر وہ عطیہ ہے جو بلا معاوضہ رضائے الہی کے لئے نادار فقیر اور محتاج ومسکین کو دیا جائے ۔ (مستفاد: قاموس الفقہ4/223)(فتاوے قاسميہ 11/386)
الصدقة ج صدقات العطية التي يبتغى بها الثواب عند الله تعالى. (لغة الفقهاء ص272)
الصدقة بفتح الدال لغة ما يعطى على وجه التقرب إلى الله تعالى لا في على وجه الكرامة ويشمل هذا المعنى الزكواة وصدقة التطوع، وفي الاصطلاح تملیک فی الحیاة بغير عوض على وجه القربة إلى الله تعالى.(الموسوعة الفقهية 26/323)
- Answered by
- Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Ifta Ibn Masood. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.