❖ Participation of a Barber in Qurbani: A Sharīʿah Perspective
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
◈ The Question:
A friend of mine works as a barber. During the last ʿEid al-Aḍḥā, some neighbors refused to include him in a shared Qurbani, claiming that since he is a barber and his income is ḥarām, their Qurbani would be invalid if he participated. Is this correct according to Sharīʿah?
① Nature of a Barber’s Income in Sharīʿah
◈ If a barber exclusively earns through shaving beards, then indeed, since shaving the beard is ḥarām in Sharīʿah, the income gained from that specific act is also considered ḥarām.
◈ However, in reality, the profession of a barber involves multiple services, such as:
➤ Beard trimming (not shaving)
➤ Hair cutting
➤ Grooming and personal hygiene services
➤ Bathing and massage in a traditional ḥammām
➤ Other permissible cosmetic and cleanliness services
✅ Therefore, labeling the barber’s entire income as ḥarām is unjustified, especially when his services include a mix of ḥalāl and ḥarām tasks, or mostly ḥalāl services.
② Can a Barber Participate in Qurbani?
✔ Based on the above, it is permissible for a barber to:
➤ Take part in joint Qurbani arrangements
➤ Contribute financially towards a Qurbani share
➤ Slaughter his own sacrificial animal
✅ His participation does not affect the validity of other participants’ Qurbani.
③ Acceptance of Qurbani: An Individual Matter
◈ The acceptance or rejection of Qurbani is a matter between each individual and Allah ﷻ.
◈ Every person is responsible for his own income, intentions, and actions.
◈ The sins or flaws of one partner do not nullify the Qurbani of the other, as long as the conditions of Sharīʿah are met by each individual.
✔ Conclusion
➊ If a barber earns through a variety of lawful services, his income is not completely ḥarām.
➋ It is permissible for such a person to participate in Qurbani.
➌ His inclusion does not invalidate the Qurbani of other participants.
➍ The acceptance of each Qurbani depends on the individual’s sincerity and compliance, not on the deeds or profession of others.
وَبِاللّٰهِ التَّوْفِيق
