Is Qurbani Obligatory on a Person in Debt? — In Light of the Qur'an and Hadith
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus-Salaam
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
Your question is extremely important and based on a sincere intention:
"Is Qurbani obligatory on a person who is in debt?"
And you seek that the answer be based solely on the Qur'an, authentic Hadiths, and the consensus of the Companions, without reliance on juristic opinions or fatwas.
Let us now provide complete guidance while adhering to this principle:
Mention of Qurbani in the Qur’an:
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice.”
[Surah Al-Kawthar: 2]
This verse contains a general directive.
It does not contain a ruling of obligation (fardiyyah) but rather encourages and praises the act of sacrifice.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"مَن كانَ له سَعَةٌ، وَلَمْ يُضَحِّ، فلا يَقْرَبَنَّ مُصَلَّانا."
"Whoever has financial capability and does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our Eid prayer place."
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 3123 | Authenticated by Al-Albani]
Here, the word "سَعَةٌ" (financial capacity) has been mentioned as a condition.
Anyone who does not possess financial means, such as the indigent or indebted, is not included in this directive.
There is no report that the Prophet ﷺ ever instructed a debtor or someone in financial hardship to perform Qurbani.
Narrated by Jabir (RA):
"شَهِدْتُ معَ رسولِ اللهِ ﷺ الأضحى بالمصلّى، فلمّا قضى خطبتَه نزلَ من منبرِه وأتى بكَبْشٍ فذبحَه، وقال: بسمِ اللهِ واللهُ أكبرُ، هذا عنّي وعمّن لم يُضحِّ من أمّتي."
"I was present with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on Eid al-Adha. After delivering the sermon, he descended from the pulpit, brought a ram, slaughtered it, and said: In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, this is on behalf of myself and on behalf of those of my Ummah who have not offered a sacrifice."
[Sunan Abu Dawood: 2810 | Hasan]
This Hadith clearly indicates that the Prophet ﷺ sacrificed on behalf of those who were unable to do so themselves.
This implies that Qurbani was not obligatory upon them.
There existed a difference of opinion among the Companions regarding whether Qurbani is obligatory.
However, it was unanimously agreed that:
"One who is indigent or not financially capable, Qurbani is not obligatory upon him."
"أنَّ أبا بكرٍ وعمرَ رضيَ اللَّهُ عنهُما، كانَا لا يُضحِّيانِ مخافةَ أن يُرى أنَّها واجبةٌ."
"Abu Bakr and Umar (RA) would not offer the Qurbani, fearing that people might take it to be obligatory."
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 9856 | Authentic Chain]
This is a clear and decisive proof that Qurbani is not obligatory in all circumstances.
Rather, financial ability (istita‘ah) is a prerequisite.
Qur’an: Merely encourages the act, does not command obligation.
Authentic Hadiths: Emphasize only those with financial means; the indigent or indebted are excluded.
Consensus of the Companions: Consistently understood that Qurbani is only for the financially capable, not for every Muslim.
A person in debt or financial hardship is not obligated to perform Qurbani, unless he possesses wealth equivalent to the nisab after settling his debt.
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus-Salaam
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
❖ A Shari’ah-Based Research: Is Qurbani Obligatory on a Person in Debt?
Your question is extremely important and based on a sincere intention:
"Is Qurbani obligatory on a person who is in debt?"
And you seek that the answer be based solely on the Qur'an, authentic Hadiths, and the consensus of the Companions, without reliance on juristic opinions or fatwas.
Let us now provide complete guidance while adhering to this principle:
✦ 1. Guidance from the Noble Qur’an
Mention of Qurbani in the Qur’an:
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice.”
[Surah Al-Kawthar: 2]
This verse contains a general directive.
It does not contain a ruling of obligation (fardiyyah) but rather encourages and praises the act of sacrifice.
✦ 2. Evidence from Authentic Hadiths
Qurbani: Obligatory or Sunnah?
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"مَن كانَ له سَعَةٌ، وَلَمْ يُضَحِّ، فلا يَقْرَبَنَّ مُصَلَّانا."
"Whoever has financial capability and does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our Eid prayer place."
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 3123 | Authenticated by Al-Albani]
Here, the word "سَعَةٌ" (financial capacity) has been mentioned as a condition.
Anyone who does not possess financial means, such as the indigent or indebted, is not included in this directive.
The Prophet ﷺ Did Not Instruct the Indebted to Offer Qurbani
There is no report that the Prophet ﷺ ever instructed a debtor or someone in financial hardship to perform Qurbani.
Encouragement of Qurbani Includes Mention of Financial Means
Narrated by Jabir (RA):
"شَهِدْتُ معَ رسولِ اللهِ ﷺ الأضحى بالمصلّى، فلمّا قضى خطبتَه نزلَ من منبرِه وأتى بكَبْشٍ فذبحَه، وقال: بسمِ اللهِ واللهُ أكبرُ، هذا عنّي وعمّن لم يُضحِّ من أمّتي."
"I was present with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on Eid al-Adha. After delivering the sermon, he descended from the pulpit, brought a ram, slaughtered it, and said: In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, this is on behalf of myself and on behalf of those of my Ummah who have not offered a sacrifice."
[Sunan Abu Dawood: 2810 | Hasan]
This Hadith clearly indicates that the Prophet ﷺ sacrificed on behalf of those who were unable to do so themselves.
This implies that Qurbani was not obligatory upon them.
✦ 3. Guidance from the Consensus of the Companions (Ijma’ al-Sahabah)
Practice of the Sahabah (RA):
There existed a difference of opinion among the Companions regarding whether Qurbani is obligatory.
However, it was unanimously agreed that:
"One who is indigent or not financially capable, Qurbani is not obligatory upon him."
Narration from Abu Bakr and Umar (RA):
"أنَّ أبا بكرٍ وعمرَ رضيَ اللَّهُ عنهُما، كانَا لا يُضحِّيانِ مخافةَ أن يُرى أنَّها واجبةٌ."
"Abu Bakr and Umar (RA) would not offer the Qurbani, fearing that people might take it to be obligatory."
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 9856 | Authentic Chain]
This is a clear and decisive proof that Qurbani is not obligatory in all circumstances.
Rather, financial ability (istita‘ah) is a prerequisite.
✦ Conclusion and Shar‘i Summary
Qur’an: Merely encourages the act, does not command obligation.
Authentic Hadiths: Emphasize only those with financial means; the indigent or indebted are excluded.
Consensus of the Companions: Consistently understood that Qurbani is only for the financially capable, not for every Muslim.
✦ Final Shar‘i Ruling:
A person in debt or financial hardship is not obligated to perform Qurbani, unless he possesses wealth equivalent to the nisab after settling his debt.
