❀ Prohibition of Slaughtering Animals at Graves in Islam ❀
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
Slaughtering animals near or upon graves is ḥarām (strictly forbidden) in Islam. This practice is rooted in pre-Islamic pagan customs, and the Prophet ﷺ explicitly prohibited it, as it resembles acts of shirk and grave worship.
Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"There is no ʿaqr in Islam."
(لَا عَقْرَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ)
References:
✔ Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2759 (Kitāb al-Janāʾiz: Bāb Karāhiyyat al-Dhabḥ ʿinda al-Qabr)
✔ Musnad Aḥmad: 3/140
✔ Abū Dāwūd: 3222
Explanation:
Imām ʿAbd al-Razzāq explains that in Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic era), people used to slaughter cows or goats at graves, a practice referred to as ʿaqr. The Prophet ﷺ forbade this entirely.
✔ Imām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:
"Slaughtering animals at graves is absolutely prohibited."
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm, p. 182)
✔ Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله said:
"Slaughtering near graves is a reprehensible act."
(Al-Majmūʿ, 5/320)
This ruling is agreed upon by the majority of scholars due to its association with pagan rituals, grave glorification, and its potential to lead toward shirk.
It resembles rituals of polytheists.
It signifies veneration of the grave, often intended to seek blessings or favors through the deceased.
It is not supported by the Prophet’s ﷺ practice or the Companions.
It is a clear innovation (bidʿah) in religion.
Slaughtering animals at graves is ḥarām and has no place in Islamic practice.
It is a practice of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah) and contradicts tawḥīd.
Scholars from all major schools of thought have condemned it.
Muslims must avoid all acts that resemble shirk or innovation, especially in matters related to death, graves, and rituals.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Introduction
Slaughtering animals near or upon graves is ḥarām (strictly forbidden) in Islam. This practice is rooted in pre-Islamic pagan customs, and the Prophet ﷺ explicitly prohibited it, as it resembles acts of shirk and grave worship.
✿ Authentic Hadith on the Prohibition
Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"There is no ʿaqr in Islam."
(لَا عَقْرَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ)
References:
✔ Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2759 (Kitāb al-Janāʾiz: Bāb Karāhiyyat al-Dhabḥ ʿinda al-Qabr)
✔ Musnad Aḥmad: 3/140
✔ Abū Dāwūd: 3222
Explanation:
Imām ʿAbd al-Razzāq explains that in Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic era), people used to slaughter cows or goats at graves, a practice referred to as ʿaqr. The Prophet ﷺ forbade this entirely.
✿ Views of the Scholars
✔ Imām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:
"Slaughtering animals at graves is absolutely prohibited."
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm, p. 182)
✔ Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله said:
"Slaughtering near graves is a reprehensible act."
(Al-Majmūʿ, 5/320)
This ruling is agreed upon by the majority of scholars due to its association with pagan rituals, grave glorification, and its potential to lead toward shirk.
❖ Why It Is Forbidden
It resembles rituals of polytheists. It signifies veneration of the grave, often intended to seek blessings or favors through the deceased. It is not supported by the Prophet’s ﷺ practice or the Companions. It is a clear innovation (bidʿah) in religion.❖ Conclusion
Slaughtering animals at graves is ḥarām and has no place in Islamic practice. It is a practice of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah) and contradicts tawḥīd. Scholars from all major schools of thought have condemned it.Muslims must avoid all acts that resemble shirk or innovation, especially in matters related to death, graves, and rituals.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
