How many people can participate in the sacrifice of a cow and a camel?

This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai’s book Rules and Issues of Qurbani.

Participation of Ten People in a Camel Sacrifice and Seven People in a Cow Sacrifice

عن جابر بن عبد الله أنه قال: نحرنا مع رسول الله صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم عام الحديبية البدنة عن سبعة والبقرة عن سبعة

Narrated by Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه, he said: In the year of Hudaybiyyah, we sacrificed a camel on behalf of seven men and a cow on behalf of seven men with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Verification:

Authentic

Source:

Muslim

Reference: Al-Muwatta (Narration of Yahya 386/2 Hadith 1068, Book 23, Volume 5) At-Tamhid 147/13, and it is said: “Therefore, this hadith is authentic according to the scholars” Al-Istidhkar: 1002
Also narrated by Muslim (1318) from the narration of Malik. Abu al-Zubair explicitly mentioned hearing it from Ahmad (378/3 Hadith 15043)

Jurisprudence:

➊ Seven people can share in the sacrifice of a cow or a camel, and according to another hadith, ten people can also share in the sacrifice of a camel.

Reference: (See Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1501, its chain is Hasan, Sunan al-Nasa’i: 4397, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3131)

➋ The year of Hudaybiyyah is 6 AH. See al-Tamhid

Reference: (147/12)

➌ If one of the partners in the sacrifice is a Dhimmi (non-Muslim), scholars differ. Some say it is permissible, and some say it is not. The stronger opinion is that a Dhimmi should not be included in the sacrifice.
➍ If one of the partners in the sacrifice is a Bid’ati (someone with an innovation in religion) whose innovation is not a kufr innovation, then the sacrifice is valid, and it is better that the one who slaughters is of sound belief and that no Bid’ati is included in the sacrifice.
➎ The entire sacrifice can be on behalf of one person.
➏ If, for example, six people share in a cow or camel, then one person should take two shares, and it should not be done that the seventh share is divided among six people because there is no evidence for this.

Reference: The original ruling in sacrifice is that at least a two-year-old kid goat and, in case of necessity, a year-old sheep are permissible on behalf of one family. The seven shares in a cow and seven or ten shares in a camel actually represent seven or ten sheep or goats. One sheep or goat suffices for one family, not two families.
Also see Kitab al-Umm by Imam al-Shafi’i (580/3)
But remember that it is not correct to perform ‘Aqiqah considering this because in ‘Aqiqah only sheep or goats are properly prescribed. One should avoid cow and camel. See the same book (p. 86) [Mu’adh]

➐ If a person cannot go to the Haram area due to some excuse, then the sacrifice on his behalf outside the Haram is also permissible, but it is better that the sacrifice be done within the boundaries of the Haram.
➑ One goat sacrifice on behalf of the entire household is sufficient.

Reference: See Sunan al-Tirmidhi (1505, its chain is Hasan and he said: “Hasan Sahih”)

Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RA) said that we used to slaughter one goat on behalf of the entire household.

Reference: (Al-Muwatta 638/2 Hadith 1069, its chain is Sahih, and Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi 268/9)

By analogy, one share of a cow on behalf of the entire household is sufficient. And Allah knows best.
➒ Sacrifice other than during Hajj is Sunnah, not obligatory.

Reference: See Al-Muwatta (487/2 Malik said: “Al-Dhahiya is Sunnah and not obligatory, and I do not like for anyone who can afford its price to leave it”)

➓ It is agreed upon that the buffalo is ruled like a cow, i.e., it is a type of cow. See Kitab al-Ijma’ by Ibn al-Mundhir

Reference: (91)

but according to other evidences and out of precaution, it is better not to sacrifice it. And Allah knows best.

Reference: (Muwatta narrated by Ibn al-Qasim p. 189)

How many people can participate in the sacrifice of a cow and a camel?

Participation of Ten People in a Camel Sacrifice and Seven People in a Cow Sacrifice

Verification:

Source:

Jurisprudence:

Sacrifice the animal with your own hand

The meat of the sacrifice can be eaten for more than three days

More on This Topic

ʿIddah of Pregnant Widow: Ends at Childbirth or 4 Months?

The rulings on marriage for the sake of renouncing the world, marrying two related women simultaneously, and the marriage of a slave

The virtue of fasting on the day of Arafah, the prohibition of fasting at the place of Arafat, and the virtue of fasting in the month of Muharram

Why “King of Kings” Is the Worst Name Before Allah

The Virtue of Ayat al-Kursi in the Light of Authentic Hadiths

Rulings Regarding Jumu‘ah Prayer in Light of Authentic Ahadith