May Allah Ta’ala grant you the Best of both worlds.
In the last few years, including this year, it has been noticed that people are specifically looking for Lambs for Qurbani.
Accordingly, Lambs are being advertised as well.
We were taught that the minimum age for sheep and goat is one year, but in the case of sheep, if there is a lamb 6 months or older and “looks like a one year old” when it is amongst 1 year olds.
The problem is that this concession has become a norm. Whether it can pass as a 1 year old or not is not even considered as they are not kept with 1 year old sheep.
Going by weight in today’s time is difficult as even the under 6 month Olds are fed to be weighty.
Please advise:
1. Is the 6+ month rule a concession or is it fine to specifically make Qurbani of under 1 yr old lambs.
2. Which type of Animal is superior in terms of Sunnah?
3. Does price, perceived quality of meat and charity play a role in making our Qurbani? It has been noticed that “Home Qurbani” is a choice lamb, while charity qurbani is with cheaper goats.
Jazakallahu Khairan for your advice and guidance.
Please make maaf for takleef and disrespect.
Was Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
The sacrificing of an animal during Eidul Adha is a great act of ibadat and virtue.
One should endeavor to sacrifice the best possible animal according to one’s financial situation. This is understood from the Ahadith of Rasullulah (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam):[1]
سمعت أبا أمامة بن سهل، قال: «كنا نسمن الأضحية بالمدينة، وكان المسلمون يسمنون
Translation: Abu umama bin sahl narrates we use to fatten the Qurbani animals in Medina, and the believers would gain weight.
قال: سمعت أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه، قال: «كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يضحي بكبشين، وأنا أضحي بكبشين
Translation: Anas bin Malik narrates that Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would sacrifice two goats, and I would slaughter two.[2]
The Fuqaha have stated that:
.لِمَا رُوِيَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ قَدْ أُمِرْنَا فِ الضَّحَايَا بِالِاسْتِعْظَامِ وَالِاسْتِشْرَافِ
Translation: Rasulullah (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam) commanded us to make the Qurbaani animal weighty and fat.[3]
The best animal for sacrifice is camel, cattle, goat, and sheep.[4] The sacrifice of a lamb is a concession with a condition. Therefore, it is advisable to slaughter a sheep or goat. If one chooses to slaughter a lamb, then it must be like a one year old in terms of its outer appearance and not the weight.
It should be noted that the purpose and focus of the Qurbani is shedding of the blood of the animal.[5] As a matter a fact, that is the actual act of worship. The meat is secondary, while it is advisable to slaughter animal with quality meat,[6] it is permissible to slaughter an animal of lesser quality and distribute its meat. The laws of charity are flexible and based on one’s financial situation. One person giving or slaughtering an animal for charity is advisable, rather than not doing so.
And Allaah Ta’aala Knows Best.
Akhyar Uddin
Student, Darul Iftaa
Buffalo, New York, USA
Checked and approved by
صحيح البخاري (7/ 100)
صحيح البخاري (7/ 100)
بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (5/ 80)3
.لِمَا رُوِيَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ – عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ ، قَدْ أُمِرْنَا فِ الضَّحَايَا بِالِاسْتِعْظَامِ وَالِاسْتِشْرَافِ
[1]الفتاوى الهندية – ط. دار الفكر (5/ 297)
أما جنسه فهو أن يكون من الأجناس الثلاثة الغنم أو الإبل أو البقر ويدخل في كل جنس نوعه والذكر والأنثى منه والخصي والفحل لانطلاق اسم الجنس على ذلك
[5]
تحفة الفقهاء (3/ 85)
وَلَا تجوز الشَّاة عَن أَكثر من الْوَاحِد وَإِن كَانَت عَظِيمَة قيمتهَا قيمَة شَاتين لِأَن الْقرْبَة إِرَاقَة الدَّم وَذَلِكَ لَا يتَفَاوَت
[6]
بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (5/ 80
ثمّ يخْتَصُّ جَوَازُ الْأُضْحِيَّةِ بِالْإِبِلِ وَالْبَقَرِ وَالْغَنَمِ، وَلَا يُجْزِئُهُ إلَّا الثَّنِيُّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فِي الْإِبِلِ وَالْبَقَرِ وَالْمَعْزِ وَيُجْزِئ الْجَذَعُ مِنْ الضَّأْنِ إذَا كَانَ عَظِيمًا سَمِين