Ruling on a Polytheist Participating in Qurbānī – A Sharʿī Explanation
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, Page 595
When seven people jointly offer a cow or camel for Qurbānī, is it necessary that all of them be monotheistic Muslims (muwaḥḥidīn)?
What is the ruling if one of them is a polytheist—such as a grave-worshipper—and joins six monotheistic Muslims in the sacrifice?
Will such a sacrifice be valid and accepted?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد:
Qurbānī is not merely about obtaining meat.
It is an act of devotional blood sacrifice—slaughtering a life for the sake of Allah. The goal is not to acquire meat (which can be obtained normally), but to shed blood in submission to Allah’s command.
One cow, bull, or camel should ideally be offered by one individual.
However, out of Allah’s mercy and generosity, He has allowed that a single large animal may be shared by up to seven individuals, provided that certain conditions are met.
① All participants must be of the same category—that is, all should be monotheistic Muslims (muwaḥḥidīn).
✖ No polytheist (mushrik) may be part of the group.
② All participants must intend Qurbānī solely.
✖ None should intend another act, such as ʿAqīqah, Nadhr (vow), or any other religious offering.
Any ruling in Sharīʿah that goes against analogy (qiyās) must remain limited to its explicit context.
If the underlying cause (ʿillah) is not clearly defined, such a ruling cannot be extended to other cases.
✔ Yes, all seven individuals must be monotheistic Muslims (muwaḥḥidīn).
✔ If even one polytheist (e.g., grave-worshipper) joins the Qurbānī, the sacrifice becomes invalid for all participants.
✔ All must intend the same act (Qurbānī) for the sacrifice to be valid.
✔ Mixing intentions (such as one person intending ʿAqīqah or Nadhr) causes doubt in validity.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, Page 595
❖ Question:
When seven people jointly offer a cow or camel for Qurbānī, is it necessary that all of them be monotheistic Muslims (muwaḥḥidīn)?
What is the ruling if one of them is a polytheist—such as a grave-worshipper—and joins six monotheistic Muslims in the sacrifice?
Will such a sacrifice be valid and accepted?
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد:
✿ The Nature of Qurbānī:
Qurbānī is not merely about obtaining meat.
It is an act of devotional blood sacrifice—slaughtering a life for the sake of Allah. The goal is not to acquire meat (which can be obtained normally), but to shed blood in submission to Allah’s command.
One cow, bull, or camel should ideally be offered by one individual.
However, out of Allah’s mercy and generosity, He has allowed that a single large animal may be shared by up to seven individuals, provided that certain conditions are met.
❖ Conditions for Joint Participation in Qurbānī:
① All participants must be of the same category—that is, all should be monotheistic Muslims (muwaḥḥidīn).
✖ No polytheist (mushrik) may be part of the group.
② All participants must intend Qurbānī solely.
✖ None should intend another act, such as ʿAqīqah, Nadhr (vow), or any other religious offering.
❖ Clarification:
- Including someone performing ʿAqīqah in a joint Qurbānī is problematic, as no explicit ḥadīth supports combining these two acts.
- In contrast, Qurbānī for seven individuals is clearly established in authentic traditions.
❖ Legal Principle:
Any ruling in Sharīʿah that goes against analogy (qiyās) must remain limited to its explicit context.
If the underlying cause (ʿillah) is not clearly defined, such a ruling cannot be extended to other cases.
Summary:
✔ Yes, all seven individuals must be monotheistic Muslims (muwaḥḥidīn).
✔ If even one polytheist (e.g., grave-worshipper) joins the Qurbānī, the sacrifice becomes invalid for all participants.
✔ All must intend the same act (Qurbānī) for the sacrifice to be valid.
✔ Mixing intentions (such as one person intending ʿAqīqah or Nadhr) causes doubt in validity.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
