Offering sacrifice (Udhiyah/Qurbaani) on behalf of our deceased loved ones

by Asma bint Shameem

ANSWER

It is proven from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ that he used to offer a ‘combined’ udhiyah on behalf of himself and on behalf of the members of his family, including those who had previously died, for example Khadeejah radhi Allaahu anhaa.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ brought a ram and said:

“In the name of Allaah; O Allaah, accept (this sacrifice) on behalf of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and the ummah of Muhammad.” Then he sacrificed it.”

(Saheeh Muslim 3637)

However, there’s no evidence that the Prophet ﷺ ever offered a separate sacrifice for anyone who passed away, although his own beloved family members passed away in his lifetime.

And he did not instruct us to do so, either.

Thus the Sahaabah also did not offer a separate sacrifice for their deceased loved ones.

Rather, they would offer one Udhiyah and include their family in it, both living and dead.

Therefore, it’s best not to do a separate qurbaani for the deceased because it’s not from the Sunnah.

Rather, it is recommended to INCLUDE them in the sacrifice that you are offering for yourself.

🍃Shaykh ‘Abd al-Muhsin al-‘Abbaad said:

“When a person offers an udhiyah (sacrifice), he does so on behalf of himself and the members of his household, and he may do so on behalf of the living and the dead among the members of his family.

If a man leaves instructions (in his will) that an udhiyah be offered on his behalf, then an udhiyah should be offered on his behalf.

As for offering an udhiyah on behalf of a deceased person ONLY, we do not know of any proven evidence to support that practice.

But if a person offers an udhiyah on behalf of himself and the members of his household or his relatives, both living and dead, there is nothing wrong with that, and there is evidence in the Sunnah to support that.

So the deceased may be INCLUDED alongside the living, but as for offering an udhiyah on their behalf only, without them having left instructions to that effect, I do not know of any evidence for that.”

(Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood)

🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“The basic principle concerning the udhiyah is that it is prescribed for the living, as the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ and his companions used to offer the sacrifice on behalf of themselves and their families.

With regard to what some of the common folk think, that the sacrifice may be offered on behalf of the dead, there is NO BASIS for that.

Udhiyah on behalf of the dead may be of three types:

1. When it is offered on their behalf as well as on behalf of the living, such as when a man offers a sacrifice on behalf of himself and the members of his family, and intends thereby both those who are alive and those who are dead.

This is permissible, and the basis of that is the fact that the Prophet ﷺ offered the sacrifice on behalf of himself and the members of his family, some of whom had previously died.

2. Offering the sacrifice on behalf of the dead in fulfillment of their last wishes (wasaaya).

This is obligatory except in the case of one who is unable to do it. The basis for this is the verse in which Allaah says:

“Then whoever changes the bequest after hearing it, the sin shall be on those who make the change. Truly, Allaah is All-Hearer, All-Knower” [al-Baqarah 2:181]

3. Offering the sacrifice on behalf of the dead voluntarily and independently of the living – such as offering a separate sacrifice on behalf of one's father or mother.

This is permissible.

The Hanbali fuqaha’ have stated that the reward for that will reach the deceased and benefit him, by analogy with giving charity on behalf of the dead.

BUT we do NOT think that SINGLING OUT the dead for offering a sacrifice on their behalf is part of the Sunnah, because the Prophet ﷺ did NOT offer a sacrifice specifically on behalf of any of his deceased loved ones.

He did NOT offer a sacrifice on behalf of his paternal uncle Hamzah even though he was one of his dearest relatives, or on behalf of his children who died during his lifetime, who were three married daughters and three sons who died in infancy, or on behalf of his wife Khadeejah who was one of his most beloved wives.

And it is NOT narrated that any of his companions offered a sacrifice on behalf of any of their deceased loved ones.”

(Risaalat Ahkaam Al-Udhiyah Wa’l-Dhakaah)

🔺Conclusion

So the best thing to do is to AVOID doing a separate and independent qurbaani (Udhiyah) on behalf of the deceased.

Rather, we can include them in the sacrifice that WE offer for ourselves. And In Shaa’ Allaah they’ll also get the reward.

And Allaah knows best