Offering Udhiyah/Qurbaani for the Prophet ﷺ on Eid?

by Asma bint Shameem

Is it allowed for me to offer a sacrifice on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ on Eid al-Adha?

ANSWER

🔺It is NOT proven from the Qur’aan and/or authentic Sunnah to offer a sacrifice especially for the PROPHET ﷺ.

That is something that’s NOT PROVEN from the actions or instructions of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ NEVER taught us to do that although he ﷺ taught us EVERYTHING we need as far as doing good deeds is concerned.

Also the Sahaabah NEVER sacrificed a qurbaani on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ.

If it was good to do that, they would have definitely done that.

But they didn't.

So if they didn’t do it then we shouldn’t be doing it either.

🍃 The scholars said:

“It is not prescribed to offer or give the udhiyah (qurbaani) on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ because that was not narrated from any of the Sahaabah, despite their perfect love for him and their perfect eagerness to do good, and the Prophet ﷺ did not instruct his ummah to do that.

If it were something good, he ﷺ would have directed them to do it.” (Islamqa Fatwa # 128016)

BUT, isn’t there a hadeeth that states that Ali radhi Allaahu anhu sacrificed two rams for the Prophet ﷺ?

Yes, there is a hadeeth that states that Ali radhi Allaahu anhu sacrificed two rams but that hadeeth is NOT authentic.

Rather, the scholars have graded it as “Da’eef” or WEAK.

📌 Shaikh al-Albaani said regarding that hadeeth:

“Its isnaad is da‘eef because of the poor memory of Shareek – who is ibn ‘Abdullah al-Qaadi.

Hanash is ibn al-Mu‘tamir as-San‘aani, who was classed as da‘eef by the majority of scholars.

And Abu’l-Hasna’ is majhool (unknown).”

(Da‘eef Abi Dawood)

📌 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“Therefore, since this is an act of worship, one should avoid inventing any special things concerning it such as making yearly sacrifices on behalf of the Noble Prophet ﷺ being if this was legislated, then those who loved him greatly from his companions would have preceded us in doing so.

And carrying in mind that the above narration, even if it was authentic, it wouldn’t be a proof to justify this act since it comes in some of the wordings of the hadeeth:

‎أوصاني

meaning

“I was specifically bequested by the Prophet ﷺ to make a sacrifice on his behalf”.

Also remember that Ali bin Abi Taalib had close family ties to the Noble Prophet ﷺ which clearly indicates we can’t make the same comparison for ourselves.”

🔺In fact it’s not allowed to do “ANY” act of ibaadah on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ.

And if someone does any action that’s not proven from the authentic practice or teachings of the Prophet ﷺ then it will not be accepted.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever performs an ACTION not in accordance with our affair, then it is REJECTED."

( Muslim)

🍃 Someone asked al-Haafiz ibn Hajar about reading some Qur’aan on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ and ‘donating’ it to the Prophet ﷺ.

He said:

“This is something that has been invented by later generations.

I do not know of any precedent for that.”

(Mawaahib al-Jaleel, 2/544, 454)

🔺Besides, the Prophet ﷺ does NOT NEED our good deeds.

Rather, it is ‘WE’ who are in need of them.

Hasn’t Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala forgiven all his past and future sins?!

🔺Another thing to think about...

Whatever good we do, the Prophet ﷺ automatically gets the reward of it too, any way.

🍃 That's because he ﷺ said:

“Whoever sets a good example in Islaam which is followed after he is gone, will have a reward like those who acted upon it, without it detracting from their reward in the slightest.” (Muslim)

So he ﷺ gets the reward of EVERY SINGLE GOOD DEED we do ANYWAY, because he’s the one who taught us all that we know about our Deen.

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

“With regard to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Dawood from ‘Ali radhi Allaahu anhu, according to which he used to offer an udhiyah of two rams and say that the Prophet ﷺ had left instructions for him to do that, this is NOT PROVEN from the Prophet ﷺ because its isnaad includes a narrator who is majhool (unknown) and another who was criticised (by the hadeeth scholars) although he is not unknown.

Anyone who wants to do something to increase the Prophet ﷺ then he should strive to do righteous deeds for himself, for Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala will give His Prophet ﷺ

a reward like that which He will give him, for the Prophet ﷺ is the one who showed people the way to do good, and “Whoever guides to goodness will have a reward like that of the one who does it.”

(Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood)

🔺 Conclusion

Earning rewards can NOT be achieved by inventing ‘new’ ways of worship.

Rather rewards are ONLY earned by following the ways and teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.

And Allaah knows best