✿ Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased: Hadith Analysis and Shariah Ruling ✿
Taken from: Fatawa Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1 – Principles, Takhreej & Tahqeeq of Narrations – p. 658
❀ The Question ❀
Is it permissible to perform Qurbani (sacrifice) on behalf of the deceased?
✿ The Answer ✿
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
◈ The Report Regarding Sacrifice for the Deceased
A narration exists in:
- Sunan Abi Dawud (Kitab al-Dahaya, Bab al-Udhiyyah ‘an al-Mayyit, Hadith 2790)
- Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi (Abwab al-Adhahi, Bab ma ja’a fi al-Udhiyyah ‘an al-Mayyit, Hadith 1495)
The narration is from Sharik bin ‘Abdullah al-Qadi, Abu al-Hasna, al-Hakam, and Hanish.
Hanish narrates:
“I saw ‘Ali (RA) sacrifice two rams. I asked: ‘What is this?’ He replied: ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed me to sacrifice on his behalf, so I sacrifice on his behalf.’”
◈ Analysis of the Chain of Narration
- The chain is weak (da‘if).
- Sharik al-Qadi was a mudallis (one who narrates ambiguously), and here he narrates with ‘an.
- Abu al-Hasna is majhool (unknown).
Reference: Taqrib al-Tahdhib: 5380; Athar al-Sunan, p. 399, under Hadith 784
◈ Scholars’ Comments on the Report
- Both al-Hakim and al-Dhahabi mistakenly considered Abu al-Hasna to be al-Hasan bin al-Hakam, thus grading the hadith as sahih.
- In reality, they are two different narrators, unrelated.
- Al-Hakam bin ‘Utaybah was also a mudallis, and even if the narration were sound, it would still be narrated with ‘an.
- Imam al-Tirmidhi classified this narration as gharib (weak/rare).
◈ Conclusion on the Hadith
Since the narration is weak, there is no authentic proof for sacrificing specifically on behalf of the deceased.
◈ If Someone Still Wishes to Sacrifice for the Deceased?
- He should not consider it Qurbani (Udhiya).
- Instead, he may intend it as sadaqah on behalf of the deceased.
- The entire meat should be distributed among the poor and needy.
- This is permissible, as sadaqah on behalf of the deceased is supported by numerous authentic evidences.
⚖ Final Ruling:
Performing Qurbani specifically for the deceased has no sahih basis in Shariah. If one wishes, he may give sadaqah in the form of slaughtered meat, but this is not considered Udhiya/Qurbani.
Wallahu A‘lam bis-Sawab
(Dated: March 2001)
