Author: Inayatullah Madani (Hafizahullah)
"Scholars unanimously agree that the ruling for buffaloes is the same as for cows."
[Al-Ijma' by Ibn Al-Mundhir, pg. 45, No. 91]
② Further, he mentions:
"This consensus includes all scholars from whom knowledge is derived. Buffaloes are considered a type of cow, just as Bakhati is a type of camel."
[Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah, 2/444]
③ Imam Ali bin Muhammad Ibn Al-Qattan Al-Fassi states:
"It is unanimously agreed that buffaloes hold the same status as cows, and the name of a cow applies to them."
[Al-Iqna' fi Masail Al-Ijtima', 1/205/1147]
④ Imam Ibn Al-Mundhir, in Al-Ishraf Ala Madhahib Al-Ulama, writes:
"All scholars whose opinions are preserved agree that buffaloes are equal to cows. This is the view of Hasan Al-Basri, Al-Zuhri, Malik, Sufyan Al-Thawri, Ishaq, Al-Shafi'i, and the scholars of opinion, and we also hold this view."
[Al-Ishraf Ala Madhahib Al-Ulama, 12/3/929]
⑤ Imam Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi states:
"Buffaloes are no different from other types of cows, and we do not know of any disagreement on this matter."
[Al-Mughni, 2/444]
⑥ Imam Yahya bin Hubairah Al-Shaybani writes:
"Scholars agree that buffaloes and cows are equal in rulings."
[Ikhtilaf Al-Aimma Al-Ulama, 1/196]
⑦ Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentions:
"Buffaloes share the same status as cows, and Ibn Al-Mundhir has cited a consensus on this matter."
[Majmu' Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, 37/25]
⑧ Dr. Wahbah Mustafa Al-Zuhayli states:
"There is no disagreement that buffaloes and cows are the same due to their shared species, as the buffalo is a type of cow."
[Fiqh Al-Islami wa Adillatuhu, 3/1926]
⑨ Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais writes:
"Scholars unanimously agree that the ruling for buffaloes is the same as for cows."
[Ijabat Al-Sual fi Zakat Al-Amwal, pg. 301]
⑩ The Kuwaiti Fiqh Encyclopedia mentions:
"The first condition, which is agreed upon by all schools of thought, is that the sacrificial animal must belong to the category of livestock, including camels (both Bakhati and Arabic), domestic cows, and buffaloes."
[Al-Mawsu’ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaitiyyah, 5/81]
Allah knows best.
Introduction
Many Islamic scholars have unanimously agreed that buffaloes share the same rulings as cows in matters of sacrifice, zakat, and general classification. Below are the references highlighting this consensus:Scholarly Consensus on Buffaloes and Cows
① Imam Ibn Al-Mundhir states:"Scholars unanimously agree that the ruling for buffaloes is the same as for cows."
[Al-Ijma' by Ibn Al-Mundhir, pg. 45, No. 91]
② Further, he mentions:
"This consensus includes all scholars from whom knowledge is derived. Buffaloes are considered a type of cow, just as Bakhati is a type of camel."
[Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah, 2/444]
③ Imam Ali bin Muhammad Ibn Al-Qattan Al-Fassi states:
"It is unanimously agreed that buffaloes hold the same status as cows, and the name of a cow applies to them."
[Al-Iqna' fi Masail Al-Ijtima', 1/205/1147]
④ Imam Ibn Al-Mundhir, in Al-Ishraf Ala Madhahib Al-Ulama, writes:
"All scholars whose opinions are preserved agree that buffaloes are equal to cows. This is the view of Hasan Al-Basri, Al-Zuhri, Malik, Sufyan Al-Thawri, Ishaq, Al-Shafi'i, and the scholars of opinion, and we also hold this view."
[Al-Ishraf Ala Madhahib Al-Ulama, 12/3/929]
⑤ Imam Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi states:
"Buffaloes are no different from other types of cows, and we do not know of any disagreement on this matter."
[Al-Mughni, 2/444]
⑥ Imam Yahya bin Hubairah Al-Shaybani writes:
"Scholars agree that buffaloes and cows are equal in rulings."
[Ikhtilaf Al-Aimma Al-Ulama, 1/196]
⑦ Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentions:
"Buffaloes share the same status as cows, and Ibn Al-Mundhir has cited a consensus on this matter."
[Majmu' Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, 37/25]
⑧ Dr. Wahbah Mustafa Al-Zuhayli states:
"There is no disagreement that buffaloes and cows are the same due to their shared species, as the buffalo is a type of cow."
[Fiqh Al-Islami wa Adillatuhu, 3/1926]
⑨ Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais writes:
"Scholars unanimously agree that the ruling for buffaloes is the same as for cows."
[Ijabat Al-Sual fi Zakat Al-Amwal, pg. 301]
⑩ The Kuwaiti Fiqh Encyclopedia mentions:
"The first condition, which is agreed upon by all schools of thought, is that the sacrificial animal must belong to the category of livestock, including camels (both Bakhati and Arabic), domestic cows, and buffaloes."
[Al-Mawsu’ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaitiyyah, 5/81]
Conclusion
The consensus among scholars from various schools of thought confirms that buffaloes are treated the same as cows in Islamic rulings. This agreement highlights their equal standing in matters of sacrifice, zakat, and general classification.Allah knows best.