❖ Is the Qurbani of a Fat but Non-Dhundha Goat Valid?
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Volume 1, Page 627
❖ Question:
If a goat is not Dhundha (i.e., has not grown its two permanent teeth), but it is fat and healthy — is its Qurbani (sacrifice) valid?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
◈ Sharʿī Guidelines Regarding the Qurbani Animal:
✔ The animal must be free from all physical defects.
✔ It must be healthy and well-built.
✔ Most importantly, it must be Dhundha, i.e., it should have grown two permanent teeth.
This is a mandatory condition for all sacrificial animals — whether camel, cow, goat, or ram.
❖ Guidance from Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
لَا تَذْبَحُوا إِلَّا مُسِنَّةً، إِلَّا أَنْ يَعْسُرَ عَلَيْكُمْ، فَتَذْبَحُوا جَذَعَةً مِنْ الضَّأْنِ.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Translation:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Do not slaughter except a Musinnah (animal with two permanent teeth), unless it becomes difficult for you to find one — in that case, you may slaughter a Jadhʿah (one-year-old) from among the sheep.”
❖ Clarification of the Ruling
✿ This Hadith clearly establishes that only a Dhundha animal is valid for Qurbani.
✿ An exception is granted only for the ram (male sheep): if a Dhundha ram cannot be found, then a one-year-old lamb (Jadhʿah) may be sacrificed.
✿ No such exception is given for goats, cows, or camels.
❖ Conclusion
If a goat is not Dhundha, then its Qurbani is not valid, no matter how fat or healthy it may be.
This is because being Dhundha is a fundamental condition for a valid Qurbani.
Without fulfilling this condition, the sacrifice becomes doubtful and is not accepted in Sharīʿah.
هذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
