❀ Qurbānī is Obligatory on the Wealthy: In the Light of Qur’an and Sunnah ❀
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il – Qurbānī aur ʿAqīqah ke Masā’il, Vol. 1, p. 433
❖ Question:
Is it necessary to perform qurbānī every year? If a wealthy Muslim does not perform it, will he be sinful? And if qurbānī is not necessary, then why are people like Parwez declared disbelievers, since they also deny it? The Prophet ﷺ used to offer two sacrifices every year. Moreover, there is the well-known incident where a Companion offered his sacrifice before the Eid prayer, and the Prophet ﷺ said: “This is just meat, not sacrifice,” and then commanded him to perform a proper sacrifice. When the Companion said he only had a jadhʿ (a younger animal), the Prophet ﷺ permitted him to sacrifice it.
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Qurbānī is obligatory (wājib) for the one who is financially able. The proofs are clear and decisive.
✔ Evidences:
➊ From the Sunnah:
- The Prophet ﷺ used to perform two sacrifices every year. This consistent practice shows that qurbānī is essential for those who are able.
- When a Companion performed sacrifice before the Eid prayer, the Prophet ﷺ said: “This is just meat, not sacrifice.” He then commanded him to repeat it correctly. This demonstrates that qurbānī is not a casual or optional act but one tied to specific rulings.
➋ From the Qur’an:
﴿فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنۡحَرۡ﴾
(Al-Kawthar: 2)
“Therefore, pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice.”
This verse indicates that sacrifice is an important act of worship, linked with prayer, and binding upon the one who has the means.
✅ Summary:
- A person who is financially capable but deliberately abandons qurbānī is sinful.
- The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, the practice of the Companions, and the clear directives of the Qur’an prove its obligation.
- People like Parwez are not declared disbelievers merely for denying qurbānī but because their rejection stems from distorting religion and denying other established rulings, which constitutes disbelief.
- The Prophet ﷺ’s yearly sacrifice and his correction of the Companion prove that qurbānī is not a ritual custom but a sunnah mu’akkadah close to wujūb (obligation).
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
