Q. A lady passed away on the 10th of Zul-Hijjah, on eid Morning at 4AM. She purchased a Qurbani animal for Eid. The heirs slaughtered the Qurbani animal on her behalf. How do the heirs distribute the Qurbani meat?
A. Qurbani will become Waajib (obligatory) on a person who fulfils the criterion of Qurbani during days of Qurbani. The days of Qurbani commence at dawn (Subah Saadiq) of the 10th of Zul-Hijjah and terminates at dusk/sunset of the 12th of Zul-Hijjah. (Hindiyyah 5/295)
In the enquired case, the deceased passed away prior to the commencement of the days of Qurbani. As such, Qurbani did not become Waajib on the deceased at the time. Accordingly, the animal slaughtered by the heirs on behalf of the deceased will be an optional (Nafl) Qurbani. In this case, the meat of the Qurbani animal will form part of the deceased’s estate and distributed amongst the rightful heirs of the deceased.
Note: The heirs are encouraged to distribute the meat amongst the poor and needy for the Esaal-e-Sawaab of the deceased.
Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ismaeel Bassa