Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il: In Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah by Shaykh Mubashshir Ahmad Rabbānī
What is the correct Shar‘i usage of the hides (skins) of Qurbānī animals? Some scholars insist that the hides belong exclusively to the poor and needy, and that giving them to Mujāhidīn is impermissible. Please explain this in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Just as with all matters of life, the proper usage of Qurbānī hides must be derived from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Once the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ is known, a true believer submits to it — this is the quality of a Mu’min.
There are two kinds of sacrifices in Islam:
About this, the Qur’an states:
﴿فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ﴾
“Then eat from them and feed those who do not ask and those who do.”
[Surah al-Ḥajj: 36]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Eat from it, feed others, and store it.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī, ḥadīth: 5569
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī, ḥadīth: 1973
This shows that:
✔ One may eat the meat himself,
✔ Offer it to family and friends,
✔ And give it in charity to the poor.
The usage of Qurbānī hides is similar to that of meat — meaning:
✔ One may use it personally,
✔ Gift it to relatives or friends,
✔ Or give it in charity.
“During the days of sacrifice, some villagers came to Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Store meat only for three days, and give the rest in charity.’ The following year, the people said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, the people used to preserve their meat and make water bags from the hides, and render the fat into oil.’
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
‘What’s the matter?’
They said:
‘You had prohibited us from storing meat.’
He ﷺ said:
‘I only prohibited you because of the guests (needy people) who had arrived. Now (there is no restriction): Eat, store, and give in charity.’”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī, ḥadīth: 1971
This proves clearly:
✔ The meat and hides may be used, gifted, or given in charity.
✖ It is not permissible to sell the hide and use its price for personal benefit.
✦ However, if the hide is donated or even the entire meat is given in charity, it is considered more virtuous, following the example of the Prophet ﷺ.
❖ ʿAlī رضي الله عنه narrated:
“The Prophet ﷺ instructed me to oversee his sacrificial animals and to distribute their meat, skins, and everything.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Ḥajj, ḥadīth: 1716–1717
❖ In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
“He commanded me to give its meat, hide, and covering in charity.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – ḥadīth: 1317
Those who say the hides are only for the poor and needy must bring a ḥadīth from the Prophet ﷺ that clearly states this.
➤ No such narration exists.
The authentic narrations clearly allow personal use, gifting, and charity — just as is allowed with the meat.
Even if it is accepted (for argument’s sake) that the hide should only go to the poor — then Mujāhidīn fī sabīlillāh are most deserving.
They are:
﴿لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِي الْأَرْضِ...﴾
“Charity is for the poor who are restricted for Allah’s cause (Jihād) and cannot travel through the land (for trade). The ignorant think them to be self-sufficient because of their restraint. You will recognize them by their mark; they do not beg persistently.”
[Surah al-Baqarah: 273]
✔ The hide of a Qurbānī animal may be:
✖ It may not be sold for profit or used for worldly gain.
✔ The view that hides belong only to the poor is unsupported by authentic hadith.
✔ Denouncing others’ sacrifices as invalid for giving hides to Mujāhidīn is dangerous and baseless.
✔ One must fear Allah and avoid making such harsh rulings without firm evidence.
❖ Question:
What is the correct Shar‘i usage of the hides (skins) of Qurbānī animals? Some scholars insist that the hides belong exclusively to the poor and needy, and that giving them to Mujāhidīn is impermissible. Please explain this in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
✿ Answer:
Just as with all matters of life, the proper usage of Qurbānī hides must be derived from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Once the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ is known, a true believer submits to it — this is the quality of a Mu’min.
◈ Types of Sacrifice
There are two kinds of sacrifices in Islam:
- The sacrificial offering during Ḥajj and ʿUmrah in the Ḥaram
- The ʿEid al-Aḍḥā sacrifice performed worldwide by Muslims at their localities
① Sacrifice during Ḥajj
About this, the Qur’an states:
﴿فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ﴾
“Then eat from them and feed those who do not ask and those who do.”
[Surah al-Ḥajj: 36]② ʿEid Sacrifice
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Eat from it, feed others, and store it.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī, ḥadīth: 5569 Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī, ḥadīth: 1973This shows that:
✔ One may eat the meat himself,
✔ Offer it to family and friends,
✔ And give it in charity to the poor.
◈ What About the Hide (Skin)?
The usage of Qurbānī hides is similar to that of meat — meaning:
✔ One may use it personally,
✔ Gift it to relatives or friends,
✔ Or give it in charity.
◈ Hadith Evidence – From ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها
“During the days of sacrifice, some villagers came to Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Store meat only for three days, and give the rest in charity.’ The following year, the people said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, the people used to preserve their meat and make water bags from the hides, and render the fat into oil.’
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
‘What’s the matter?’
They said:
‘You had prohibited us from storing meat.’
He ﷺ said:
‘I only prohibited you because of the guests (needy people) who had arrived. Now (there is no restriction): Eat, store, and give in charity.’”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī, ḥadīth: 1971This proves clearly:
✔ The meat and hides may be used, gifted, or given in charity.
◈ Can the Hide Be Sold?
✖ It is not permissible to sell the hide and use its price for personal benefit.
✦ However, if the hide is donated or even the entire meat is given in charity, it is considered more virtuous, following the example of the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ Example from the Prophet ﷺ’s Sacrifice
❖ ʿAlī رضي الله عنه narrated:
“The Prophet ﷺ instructed me to oversee his sacrificial animals and to distribute their meat, skins, and everything.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Ḥajj, ḥadīth: 1716–1717❖ In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
“He commanded me to give its meat, hide, and covering in charity.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – ḥadīth: 1317◈ Refutation of the Claim: ‘Hides Are Only for the Poor’
Those who say the hides are only for the poor and needy must bring a ḥadīth from the Prophet ﷺ that clearly states this.
➤ No such narration exists.
The authentic narrations clearly allow personal use, gifting, and charity — just as is allowed with the meat.
◈ Can the Hide Be Given to Mujāhidīn?
Even if it is accepted (for argument’s sake) that the hide should only go to the poor — then Mujāhidīn fī sabīlillāh are most deserving.
They are:
- Those who have dedicated their lives for Allah’s cause,
- Who cannot work or earn due to their engagement in Jihād,
- Whom Allah Himself declared deserving of charity in the Qur’an:
﴿لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِي الْأَرْضِ...﴾
“Charity is for the poor who are restricted for Allah’s cause (Jihād) and cannot travel through the land (for trade). The ignorant think them to be self-sufficient because of their restraint. You will recognize them by their mark; they do not beg persistently.”
[Surah al-Baqarah: 273]
Conclusion
✔ The hide of a Qurbānī animal may be:
- Used personally
- Gifted to relatives or friends
- Given in charity — including to Mujāhidīn, who are among the most deserving
✖ It may not be sold for profit or used for worldly gain.
✔ The view that hides belong only to the poor is unsupported by authentic hadith.
✔ Denouncing others’ sacrifices as invalid for giving hides to Mujāhidīn is dangerous and baseless.
✔ One must fear Allah and avoid making such harsh rulings without firm evidence.
