Q. This year, Hajj has been cancelled for South Africans. 1. Does Qurbani still remain compulsory? 2. Is Qurbani only compulsory on a person if they performed Hajj previously?
A. The performance/non-performance of Hajj does not affect the compulsion of Qurbani/Udhiyyah.
Qurbani/Udhiyyah becomes compulsory (Waajib) on a person who fulfils the following criteria:
a) Mature (has reached the age of puberty)
b) Sane
c) Muqeem (i.e. he is not a Shar’i traveller)
d) Possesses the threshold of Nisaab during the days of sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha).
Therefore, irrespective if one has performed Hajj or not previously or if it is not possible to perform Hajj this year, Qurbani/Udhiyyah will still become compulsory upon one who fulfils the above criteria.
Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ismaeel Bassa