Buffalo as a Sacrificial Animal: Consensus, Evidence, and Preferred Practice

Is the Sacrifice of a Buffalo Permissible? Detailed Shar‘i Ruling


Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 181

Question:​

Is it permissible to offer a buffalo as a sacrificial animal (Qurbani)?

Answer:​

الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!


From the Qur’an and Sunnah, it is established that camels, cows, sheep, and goats are valid sacrificial animals.
In this regard, it is clear and correct that the buffalo is considered a type of cow (baqarah), and there is consensus (ijma‘) among the scholars of Islam on this point.

Statements of the Scholars​

① Imam Ibn al-Mundhir (d. 318H) said:


واجمعوا علی ان حکم الجوامیس حکم البقر
“They are unanimous that the ruling of buffaloes is the same as the ruling of cows.”
(Al-Ijma‘, Book of Zakah, p. 43, Ref: 91)


② Imam Ibn Qudamah (d. 620H) wrote:


لا خلاف فی هذا نعلمه
“To our knowledge, there is no difference of opinion on this matter.”
(Al-Mughni, Vol. 2, p. 240, Issue: 1711)

Fiqhi Reasoning and Cautionary Aspect​

◈ In matters of Zakah, there is also consensus that the buffalo is included in the category of cows.


◈ This proves that the buffalo is essentially a type of cow.


However:

• There is no explicit proof from the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions (رضي الله عنهم) regarding the sacrifice of a buffalo.
• Therefore, the best and most cautious practice is to choose camels, cows, bulls, sheep, or goats for Qurbani.
• Avoiding buffalo sacrifice is considered better and safer.

ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب